The second annual USPTO Voluntary Employee Organization (VEO) Holiday Soiree was held December 12 in the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Madison Upper Atrium, Alexandria Campus. The attendance of the event, originally planned for 300, far exceeded expectation, as more than 750 USPTO colleagues and their family members showed up for an afternoon of celebration.

USPTO Director Kathi Vidal, USPTO Deputy Director Derrick Brent, and OEEOD Director Bismarck Myrick all offered remarks about the importance of the VEOs in building community, encouraging connectedness, and opening dialogues by helping colleagues find professional and personal support networks. From the attendance, it looks like many colleagues are finding just that!

The event featured a DJ and dancing, a homemade dessert contest, a buffet, pictures with Santa, games for kids, and a 360-degree photo booth.