Exhibitors Experience INPEX® 2003 as More than a Trade Show
"INPEX is a four-day gathering of inventors and entrepreneurs who have come together to network, share information, learn how to pursue their ideas and hopefully make useful business contacts," said Trade Show Director, Jennifer Lawlor. "For companies interested in new products, INPEX is an excellent resource. The show features hundreds of inventions ready for licensing, manufacturing or marketing."
For many exhibitors the INPEX Inventors University sessions were the highlight of their trade show experience. The university is a program of seminars, presentations and panel discussions for inventors.
Kenneth Blessing, the inventor of the Multi-Component Lawn and Garden Handle and a first-time INPEX exhibitor, said, "I'm sure that what I've learned [at the INPEX Inventors University] will help me make better decisions."
"In the three years since we began the INPEX Inventors University it has grown from six classes to 19 sessions," noted Lawlor. "Inventors are eager for information about what to do with their inventions. From our exhibitors’ feedback, we know the INPEX Inventors University can be a positive learning experience."
The INPEX Inventors Resource Center is also a part of INPEX. The Resource Center gave exhibitors the opportunity to sit down with representatives from a variety of organizations and receive advice relative to their inventions. Representatives from the Small Business Development Center, a venture capital group, the Technology Transfer Center and others were on hand to answer inventors questions.
This year's INPEX Inventors University keynote address was delivered by Ron Foxcroft, inventor of the Fox-40 pea-less whistle and CEO of Fox International. Foxcroft shared his experiences as an inventor and entrepreneur in bringing his pea-less whistle to market more than twenty years ago. During his presentation, Foxcroft noted that inventing can be a lonely experience (many in the room nodded in agreement) and he encouraged the participants to use each other as a resource and for support as they individually worked to achieve their goals.
And from the buzz on the show floor, people were busy practicing what they heard at the university sessions, as well as getting feedback from exhibitors and attendees alike.
Karen Huff, inventor of the Qwiki-PAK, said she left INPEX with more enthusiasm about her invention than she had when she came, and is now motivated to proceed with Qwiki-PAK. "I’ve been working on my invention for 3 years," Huff said.
INPEX 2003 concluded with its International Awards Ceremony at Heinz Field, the new home of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers. With a view of downtown Pittsburgh, gold, silver and bronze medal awards in an array of categories were presented to exhibitors. The category awards are determined by an independent international judging panel. The Grand Prix award, the final prize of the evening, which included a $5,000 cash prize, was awarded to Mark Sheahan of Great Britain for his SIMPLY SQUEEZE TO OPEN. Sheahan stated he "was delighted and honored to win the major prize at INPEX 2003."
While the above exhibitors' experiences are not typical of what most INPEX exhibitors can expect from attending the trade show, the events reported are a result of what can happen from attending INPEX — the Invention Show.
