INPEX® 2006 Was a "Knockout"
In one of our largest exhibitor showings to date, more than 350 inventors from 20 countries around the world came together June 7-10 to exhibit their inventions at INPEX, America's Largest Invention Trade Show. Held at the Greater Pittsburgh ExpoMart in Pittsburgh, Pa., the show featured innovations ranging from an upside-down Christmas tree to new power tool and fitness ideas to a love-detection collar for pets.
"What a great show!" said Kirk Lindamood, inventor of the LapDome® Outdoor Office. "The personalized attention we received from the staff beats any other trade show I've ever attended."
This year, inventors had the opportunity to "get into the ring" with representatives from the Everlast®/M & M Fitness Fitness Equipment, who were at INPEX to conduct product searches for the newest, greatest fitness inventions. In a regulation boxing ring set up in the center of the ExpoMart atrium, inventors demonstrated their products and received feedback from the panelists.
Greg Bruce, inventor of CATTs (Conditioning Air Tube Trainers) managed to take home Everlast's Best Fitness Invention Award. "I'm very happy that I won the Best Fitness Invention Award," said Bruce. "INPEX made that possible."
Also on-hand were representatives from the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, who conducted product reviews for new power tool inventions. Tom Menna's Bull Digger, Andy Andrus' Tow Truck In A Box, and Di Princell's Smart Swap all received award honors from Bosch.
While the show offered exhibitors opportunities to network with manufacturers, it also included many resources for the inventors. The INPEX Resource Center featured representatives from various companies, and gave inventors the opportunity to meet for a short time one-on-one to learn about patenting, licensing, prototyping, business planning, marketing, branding and more.
The Resource Center wasn't the only learning tool for exhibitors. INPEX Inventors University™ featured seminars on venture capital, product development, direct response TV marketing, offshore manufacturing and much more. There were more than 20 classes in all. The presenters were experts in the various fields, and many exhibitors found the University informative and worth more than the cost of exhibiting.
Exhibitors this year were treated to a special appearance by two finalists from ABC's hit reality show American Inventor. Erik Thompson and Francisco Patino presented "How to Let Your Passion Come Through In Your Pitch," in which they discussed their experiences pitching their inventions on national TV, and gave the "common-man's perspective" on the most effective ways to let people know the value of your product.
Local and national media attended the event, and gave many inventors the opportunity to talk about their inventions on the television or radio. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno also filmed inventors for the segment "Pitch To America." It gave many exhibitors a chance to pitch their product to the American public.
James Martin, inventor of the Pro Ramp, is a "Pitch to America" veteran. "This year, it's time for redemption," he said, referring to his last experience with the Jay Leno crew. Last year, when Martin demonstrated his Pro Ramp, a height-adjustable jump rump for skateboarders or bicyclists, he took quite a spill. "I've put some provisions in place to keep the ramp from slipping again," he said. This time, the jump went off flawlessly, and Martin's clip appeared on a segment that aired on June 20.
After a busy day networking with industry representatives, attending classes or pitching their inventions to media, many inventors still managed to find the energy to attend the nighttime activities that INPEX planned. Thursday night, INPEX took a group to Station Square on Pittsburgh's historic South Side. The former train station is now one of Pittsburgh's hotspots, with plenty of places for shopping, dining, dancing and sightseeing.
Friday Fight Night, which featured Olympic hopefuls duking it out, was a huge success. This event, the first of its kind at INPEX, was held right in the ExpoMart atrium. These amateur boxers gave it their all and kept fans cheering throughout each bout.
On the closing day of INPEX, keynote speaker Sara Blakely, entrepreneur and inventor of SPANX® body-shaping undergarments, wowed the crowd with her candid, upfront style and offered helpful advice for up-and-coming inventors.
With only $5,000 in her savings account, Sara broke into the $2 billion, male-dominated hosiery industry. If you haven't seen Sara flashing her SPANX on QVC, you may have seen her jumping off a cliff or sharing tea 10,000 feet in the sky on Fox's The Rebel Billionare with Richard Branson.
Saturday evening, the INPEX 2006 Awards Dinner was held at Westin Hotel, located in the heart of Pittsburgh's business and cultural district. An international jury had judged the inventions earlier in the week, and many jury, merit and special awards were handed out to the excited inventors. The Grand Prix Award, which includes a $5,000 check, was awarded to Tony Pike for FLAT – Fluid Locking & Adjustment Technologies.
Peter Mladen, inventor of Safe-N-Sound-Premises Protection Safety System, said that the Awards Dinner was one of his favorite moments of INPEX. "We had the most amazing time at the Awards Dinner," he said. "My wife and I would like to thank INPEX for all the hard work they've done for us this year."
Whether making connections with companies, forming friendships, networking with other inventors or just having fun and learning, INPEX 2006 was truly an unforgettable show.
