INPEX® Exhibitor Ron Hardge — Right Place at the Right Time
"I was looking for a place to display my invention," said Ron Hardge, an exhibitor at INPEX 2004, America’s Largest Invention Trade Show. Hardge invented the "Strap for Cell Phones", an over-the shoulder style cell phone holder that provides easy access to phones.
"After receiving a patent on my strap, and producing several prototypes, I traveled from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to exhibit my invention at INPEX and hopefully find a company that might be interested." Meanwhile, George Pappadopoulos of GP Marketing in California, came to INPEX in search of new product ideas that might appeal to their interests.
Pappadopoulos began walking the show floor, while Hardge was off the floor, presenting his invention to the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA), a panel of TV marketing professionals, experienced in the fields of infomercials and home shopping. The panel provides INPEX exhibitors with the opportunity to present their ideas, and receive feedback, along with a chance to be invited to the ERA Product Showcase in Las Vegas.
"The ERA panel gave me some helpful advice, but told me that my product is not the right type of thing for their show," said Hardge. "My spirits were dampened as I walked back to my booth."
Hardge quickly shook it off, when he was greeted at his booth by Pappadopoulos. "He introduced himself and told me that he loved my Strap for Cell Phones," said Hardge. "We discussed the possibility of GP Marketing licensing my invention. He promised that I would have a letter in the mail from GP Marketing, when I got home on Monday. And, I did."
Hardge and GP Marketing have signed a license agreement. GP Marketing is outsourcing the Strap for Cell Phones in China, and a small amount of product is being produced in the United States, for marketing purposes. The name has been shortened to "The Cell Strap", and is being trademarked and they are in the early stages of marketing research.
"I recognize that it is not easy to get a license and I am so grateful that I was able to meet GP Marketing at INPEX," said Hardge. "Living in Florida, I would have never met Pappadopoulos, across the nation in California, but INPEX brought the two of us together."
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.
