What Our Exhibitors Have to Say About INPEX 2004
"I learned so much and I have so much to take home," said Valerie Davis, inventor of Valareezzz Portable Pillows, as she summed up her trade show experience at the 20th Anniversary Invention/New Product Exposition (INPEX), America's Largest Invention Trade Show, held this past May in Pittsburgh, Pa.
"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 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 available 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 consisting of seminars, presentations and panel discussions to educate inventors.
Dennis Hutchinson, the inventor of the Spin Clean and a first-time INPEX exhibitor, said, "In the last four days I've learned more than I have in my 64 years of living. I've learned every kind of in and out, how to overcome obstacles, improve on things and to communicate."
Staying motivated, taking risks, and learning about making business decisions were a few of the topics covered at this year's university. "In the four years since we began the INPEX Inventors University it has grown from six classes to 18 sessions," noted Lawlor. "Inventors are keenly interested in information about what to do with their invention. From our exhibitors' feedback, we know the INPEX Inventors University can be a positive experience."
Exhibitors were also able to find answers to questions specific to their inventions at the INPEX Inventors Resource Center. The Resource Center gave exhibitors the opportunity to sit down with representatives from a variety of organizations and receive advice particular to their invention needs. Representatives from the Kent State Small Business Development Center, venture capital groups, Entrepreneur Magazine, and others were on hand to answer inventor's questions.
"I didn't know if I should package [my invention] in a box or plastic," said Valerie Davis, inventor of Valarezzz Portable Pillows. After she sat down for a session at the Resource Center, the answer was clear. "I found out that if you can get people to pick it up and feel it, then you may be able to get them to understand the product a little better," she said.
"INPEX Inventors University seminars and the INPEX Inventors Resource Center can expose inventors to the information that might be helpful in pursuing an invention," said Romanus Wolter, a writer and columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. During Wolter's Kick Start Workshop: Taking Action, he spoke of the importance of having a support network. "So many times inventors feel isolated," he said, "INPEX is a great place for inventors to create a support network."
And from the buzz on the show floor, people were busy practicing what they heard at the university, as well as getting feedback from exhibitors and attendees alike.
Spin Brush inventor Hutchinson said that many inventors asked him how he got to the point where he was now. "I say the same thing to everybody: come to INPEX '05 because everything is under one roof."
Hutchinson's enthusiasm for the show seemed to resonate with other inventors as well. "It was one of the best experiences of my life," said Gregory Ware, inventor of the Vest Pack. As part of the INPEX Inventors University, Ware had the opportunity to have his invention evaluated by a panel of professionals experienced in infomercials and home shopping from the Electronic Retailing Association. As a result, Ware was invited to attend the ERA Product Showcase in Las Vegas.
A few inventors were given another opportunity to talk to experts during a taping of StartupNation, a nationally syndicated radio program focused on helping aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Show hosts Rich and Jeff Sloan, who are inventors as well as small business experts, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, wrapped up their program by allowing exhibitors to ask questions on the air.
The keynote address was given by Art Fry, the inventor of Post-it Notes, who shared the insights he gained over a lifetime of inventing.
INPEX 2004 concluded with its International Awards Ceremony at Heinz Field, the 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 international judging panel. The Grand Prix award, the final prize of the evening, which included a $5,000 cash prize, was awarded to Mike Keenan of Great Britain for his Fireproof Products. Keenan was visibly emotional as he told the crowd that he could not believe he won the major prize at INPEX 2004. "I'm really pleased about it, to say the least," stated the tearful inventor.
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.
