In 1991 when David Poague won an award for his invention, the Spraymate, a self-supporting spray shield designed to allow one person to quickly seal or paint their deck without any mess, at a convention in Disney World, he thought he would quickly become a millionaire. He was ready for the money to just start "rolling in". Today, twelve years later, Poague recognizes that while excitement and belief in his product are important, an inventor must have patience, perseverance, and the understanding that there is no such thing as a "sure thing".
Jump ahead to May 2002 when Poague exhibited the Spraymate at INPEX, America's Largest Invention Trade Show. While at the show, Poague met William Miko, Chief Operating Officer at Sherwood Promotions, a company specializing in promotional products and creating brand awareness. The two talked at the show, and Miko saw the Spraymate as something he thought he could develop.
After several months of negotiations between Poague and Miko, Sherwood Promotions began manufacturing the Spraymate. Currently, the Spraymate is being sold in Sherwin-Williams Paint stores across the nation. But as Poague and Miko explained, placing the Spraymate in stores took time and patience.
"It didn't just happen," said Poague. "I met [William Miko] in May 2002, but it took time to work out all the details, and I had to realize there was no guarantee that anything would come of this."
Once manufacturing was underway, Miko started the marketing process for the Spraymate by gathering feedback on the product from a targeted group of potential customers. "We showed it to contractors who were at a promotional cookout at a local Sherwin Williams Paint store," said Miko. "We videotaped their reaction to the Spraymate and used that feedback to demonstrate the product's potential to be sold in stores."
"Every one of the contractors loved it and said they would purchase one if it was available," said Poague.
Miko shared this feedback with some of the Sherwood Promotions decision-makers, in corporate merchandising. "The video showed the people that would buy the product, and let them explain why it would be useful," said Miko. "I let corporate merchandisers see for themselves that that this is an item that should be tested in the store." The idea worked.
"Several months later, the Spraymate was being sold in one store, then ten, and now [fifteen months later] we are in sixty-five stores across the nation," continued Poague. "A year later, it is still in the testing stage, but there seems to be progress every day."
Poague would like his product to be sold in all Sherwin Williams Paint stores, but realizes that he has to take every step one-day at a time. "This past year has been exciting, and busy, but I have still not made back more money than I have put into the project," he said. However, Poague has a positive attitude, "I believe in my product and hope to see it continue to grow."
For Poague, INPEX was an important factor in moving his idea forward. "I had a great time at INPEX and met some great people," he said. "I was able to make the connection that got my invention into stores."
As for William Miko, he is optimistic about the progress of the Spraymate, and views INPEX as a resource for potential products. "I attended INPEX in 2003 as a representative of Sherwood Promotions, and I plan to return again in 2004," said Miko. "You never know what you will find at a show like INPEX."
While the above exhibitor's experience is 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.
