Inventor’s Showcase In Portland Options

[victor]

The Micro-Enterprise Inventor’s Program of Oregon (MIPO) and its partners proudly invite audiences and visitors of all ages to attend the 2009 Inventor’s Showcase. Featuring promising new talent, ideas, innovation and inventions from the Pacific Northwest as well as all over the United States, the event will be held Saturday, May 30 from 10:00 am- 5:00pm at the World Trade Center located in downtown Portland (121 SW Salmon, Portland 97204).
“We have so many new inventors, innovative products and ideas; the only way to describe it is exciting! We loved being at OMSI, where we held this event last year, however, the interest and participation levels were so strong the space there could no longer accommodate the size of our event,” said Tina Wyszysnki, Program Manager, MIPO. “This is the one place on the west coast where inventors, innovators and the general public can gather and share ideas, as well as see innovation in action. Nearly 1/3 of our participants are coming from out of state, because there is no other event like this one – period!”

The theme of this year’s showcase is “Innovation Begins at Home” and it promises to be very unique.
True to the spirit of innovation, the event blends an interactive, kinesthetic or “hands-on” approach with a grass roots feel to help anyone walking through the door to see and recognize innovation all around them. The showcase aims to inspire every potential innovator or inventor to start or keep on creating, developing, wiring, spinning, tweaking or building whatever it is they have in their own minds.

During the event, participants and attendees will also be able to attend workshops focused on all things related to innovation – such as resources and sourcing, prototype and product development, licensing, marketing, intellectual property and funding. Speakers will include Don Kelly, co-founder of United Inventors Alliance, and Mindee Dooney, founder of locally–based “Boogie Wipes.” The event will also include a contest for the best overall invention, with prizes that will provide resources to assist in developing the winner’s invention and taking it to the next level.

This one-day event is open to the public and people of all ages are encouraged to attend. Adult entry is only $5 and kids are free. Want to showcase your idea or invention? Spaces are still available for exhibitors for only $100. All funds collected will be used to continue supporting innovation and economic development. Please visit www.mipooregon.org/innovation for more details about the Oregon Inventors Showcase.