I live in Houston, Texas. I want to have a trade show in order to show my inventions. I want to know if anyone on this board is interested in showing their inventions at a trade show, and if so, would they like to show them at the show I am now thinking of putting together?
I am a new inventor, with lots of inventions in my head and on paper, etc., and I would love to 'get this show on the road', so to speak.
Please contact me at: glorys9@yahoo.com if you are interested. The more people that are involved, the less entrance fee that we will need!
Patricia Najhawan (glorys9)

Sounds like a great idea!

Just keep in mind that you will need to plan and promote for about a good year if you want the heavyhitters to come down and see the inventions.

With so many other shows like this going on all the time, you're going to need ample time to get everything on board and get the attention of the big companies to come down.

If you do it patiently and carefully you should get good results, as companies are always looking for new products and will go almost anywhere to find it, though of course they license very few.

Best Wishes!

WOW you sound like you know a lot about trade shows. Can you enlighten me further on anything you may have encountered, or done concerning this enterprise?

I would really appreciate it.

Thanks so much,
Glorys9

My background is in the Music Business, which is a much tougher business, so Trade Shows or conventions are the centerpiece of finding new talent or in this case new inventions. From talking to many who attend trade shows in the toy industry on a regular basis, I know that they are very important for inventors to have their creations viewed.

I'll tell you what I know from experience on shows and conventions in general...

What I suggest if you have'nt done this already, is to find a venue in a major city (if you want the biggest turnout), New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc. and pick a place that has ample space and a decent price for rental. *HINT* It also would'nt hurt to hold the event in the Town of the Corporate office of a large manufacturer since it would make it easier for them to attend.... If you do that, make sure the manufacturer fits the style of the inventions that will be there. If your event is going to be a variety show, then just hold it in a Major City as pointed out above and you'll probably get a better mix.

If you plan to make a profit from the show, make sure that you secure enough paying inventors for your show so that you can still pay for the place and make a buck or two. Make sure they pay you in advance, do not take walks ups or people who want to pay for space at the door because it will spell disaster.

So at this point you would be basically pricing different venues to see what the market prices are.

Settle on the range you wish to pay and then start promoting to inventors and taking space fees. Make sure you write up or have a lawyer write up a legal agreement that states that the inventions they bring in must be safe and should not harm anyone who attends the event.

Decide on a price you want to charge inventors for their space. You can also charge by space size. This is probably where you're going to make your most money.

Once you've filled up at least half the space you have, you then want to start contacting manufacturers. This is the tricky part, but it can be done. 4 things:

1. Send Preliminary letters to the manufacturers. Get some names first because Dear Sir/Madam letters go straight in the garbage, or at least are not taken seriously. Make sure you send the letters AT LEAST 6-8 months in advance of the show. Why? Because companies have a ton of other events to go to, or they could just be doing whatever they have on the plate at the time your show comes up. By making them aware that your show is coming up way ahead of time, you give yourself the best chance of getting their attention. Make sure the letters are on professional, printed letterhead, and Make sure you leave your contact info on the letters, AND be prepared to speak to whomever contacts you. In the letter, you'll want to offer a badge that the Industry personnel can wear so people know they are from such and such company. They will probably kindly reject that offer because the big shots like to roam in secrecy, but may give it to a person who is second or third or longer in command. When they request a badge, mail it out as quickly as possible and make sure the name is correct. When you speak to them, keep your nerves under control, be confident and make sure you know what you're talking about.

2. When the show is approaching in 2-4 months, send another letter as a reminder. Make sure its courteous, cheerful, but most of all, to the point.

3. DO NOT CHARGE THE MANUFACTURER REPS FOR ADMISSION, UNLESS THEY CHOSE NOT TO TAKE A BADGE. If they did'nt take a badge, you won't know who they are anyway so you'll have to charge them whent hey come in to the event, but the ones who do have a badge should not be charged.

4. Don't put pressure on anyone, just be cool as normal. If anyone says no about anything, ask why if the opportunity comes in a natural setting, i.e. talking on the phone with them. When they explain why, just forget it and move on, don't argue.

If you follow this and use your best judgement on many other common things, this can be a success, just remember to give yourself a good year to put it all together because that's how long it more than likely will take for it be successful.

Babu Bot that was amazing! I hesitate to ask one more question. You have given me so much information, I feel like I should pay you! THanks so much.

Glory

No problem Glorys9. Thanks for the compliments!

Feel free to ask me anything.


(I'll be waiting on that check! LOL!)