Great Canadian Inventions Show
Contact us to get on our mailing list: o.schmidt@accentonskills.com
Questions and Answers
What is the objective of the Great Canadian Inventions Show?
We want inventors to meet people who want, need and/or can take inventions into the marketplace. We want industry/business people and entrepreneurs to add new products/services to their companies. Instead of the inventor going to the marketplace, we will bring the marketplace to the inventors!
Who will be participating?
THIS IS A CLOSED EXHIBITION and not open to the public! Only inventors with inventions and innovations that are not being sold in the marketplace and Business Team Associates may register and attend. Investors are also invited. No spectators. We want real inventors, real companies in need and real people who can realistically take real inventions into the real marketplace.
Who do we not invite?
The focus is on the inventions. We kindly ask that the following not attend: people who are networking and just want to see inventions, those seeking new clients to sell their own services to for personal gain, people who are not able to make direct decisions about inventions, invention development/evaluation/promotion firms, advisors and consultants who want to promote and guide inventors instead of the inventions.
How do I qualify to register and participate?
Inventors
any age, any level of expertise, any number and types of inventions. Inventions can be at any stage of development. Your inventions are not being sold in the general marketplace yet. Your ideas, however, should be clear and viable.
Business Team Associates
a) Directly-involved people: a small or large company owner/buyer, company product buyer, entrepreneur starting a new business, manufacturer, a person who wants or needs new inventions for their company/business/corporation e.g. prototyper, injection molding company owner, machining & tooling companies, office/kitchen or furniture maker, giftware manufacturer, sporting goods manufacturer, machine shop owner, independent retailer, etc.
b) investors, financiers, financial investing groups with money for developing new products/services
c) graduated or graduating business, technology, university students looking to start a business with a new product/service,
d) career changers, downsized but with resources to try something new.
e) legal professionals in position to be of direct support to inventors and those investing in them - patent lawyers, trademark experts, paralegals, bankers, etc.
Will I be able to get in on exhibition day?
No. Inventors must be registered in advance before the deadline. Inventors will not be allowed in on show day.
Business Team Associates must register in advance up to the day before the show.
How will my invention be protected if I don't have a patent, etc.?
All who participate must sign non-disclosure forms. Inventors who have copyright protection or patents should indicate it on all their work at their table. Put a copyright sign prominently on all your work. Because Business Team Associates attend by invitation, there is a greater responsibility to be honest and trustworthy. If we find anyone has cheated, they will not be invited to future shows. These shows are attended by qualified people who are expected to respect the integrity and objectives of the show.
What will happen at the show?
a) Inventors display and showcase their innovations.
b) Business Team Associates view and indicate interest in the inventions by signing inventor's Interest Sheets. A commitment should be made between all those expressing sincere interest in an invention to get the product/service into the marketplace as soon as possible.
c) Investors may express interest in working together with others at the show to take an invention to the next levels. This may involve one or several companies and investor(s) collaborating to take an invention to market e.g. a prototyper, machinist, manufacturer, and investor.
What will be provided on exhibition day for inventors and Business Team Associates?
Inventors register for a half table or full table or display space. There will be exclusive time and opportunity for interaction with those who have a real and vested interest in inventions.
How will this show benefit me?
a) The Great Canadian Inventions Shows will give people in the inventing and industry/technology world the opportunity to meet and become members of an exclusive trusted group of people who are serious about getting inventions into the marketplace.
b) Qualified inventors can put their energy fully into inventing. They know there will be regular opportunities to show their innovations in a relatively safe way to people who will interact with them in a meaningful way.
c) Trusted Business Team Associates will have a steady supply of new inventions to view and access to a "dream team" of inventors.
d) Investors will feel more confident in offering financial backing if an inventor has one or more companies, experts and specialists in agreements to develop the invention.
What can an inventor do to increase chances of success at the show?
GREAT LOOKING DISPLAY. Design a table display that communicates information quickly and directly. Aim for a "Wow" factor. Look at ones from companies on the internet. e.g. Table Top Displays 1, Table Top Displays 2. It doesn't have to be expensive and elaborate. When someone walks up to your table, they should be able to figure out what you have there in about 5 seconds. All of the following are acceptable: clear drawings or sketches, written text with diagrams and/or photos, a model made out of any material that shows the concept clearly. You do not need high-priced prototypes and professional, operating models of your ideas.
GIVEAWAYS. Have handouts to give to company reps. A flyer, brochure, drawing, photo, or other simple catchy giveaway tells the person what your invention is all about. A professional-looking business card is a must.
HOMEWORK DONE. Research and find information directly related to your invention e.g. how many lawnmowers are used in the country and how many are electric, what percentage of people might use the product/service, who all might buy this item, how much does it cost to make, how much do competitors sell comparables for, how can it be distributed, who can sell it. It gives people reasons to get involved with you. Visitors to your table often come in not knowing a thing about your invention.
THE "ELEVATOR PITCH." Be prepared to introduce your invention in 5-10 seconds or less when a person walks up to or stops at your table. This is your "elevator pitch." Keep it simple and direct. What is the product or service, what you expect it to do in the marketplace.
COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY. To attract a person walking by, use a catchy "hook." For example, "Any furniture to restore?" - new furniture finish, "Ever been caught in a lights-out situation?" - personal safety light, "Ever been hit by ice breaking from the tops of trucks?" - transport truck roof snow/ice remover
BUILD A DATABASE. Before the show and during: get names, phone numbers, email addresses from every person talked to - inventors and Business Team Associates. Record the info in a book on your table or save business cards. Ask if you can follow up on the meeting at the table to discuss further.
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Testimonials
""Hampton Direct, marketer of ASOTV hits Pajama Jeans, Furniture Fix and Total Pillow, was honored to attend the 2010 Great Canadian Inventions Show. The show attracts a variety of inventors with exciting new product ideas. For me, it is a must attend event!“ - Pierre Heroux, VP of Merchandising at Hampton Direct, Inc. Burlington, VT USA.
"I recommend it (the show) to any inventor with a product or idea and to every R& D specialist or business owner who wants to add a new product to their line."
- Max B., inventor, Mississauga, ON
"I had a blast. The show was everything and more than what I thought it would be. What I liked most was the chance to talk with fellow inventors and the support team of business people. I got a lot of good constructive input from everyone there. I learned that I need to work on my presentation skills.
- Gary Mahony, P.Eng., inventor, Toronto, ON
"A great grassroots experience that matches serious inventors with commercialization opportunities and advice. Boy, I wish this show had existed when we were starting out with our first toy invention."
- Kris Schantz, Owner, Happy Worker Inc. Custom Toys and Gifts, Toronto, ON
"I found this show was very productive and useful. I have a passion for technology commercialization and do this as my business. During this event, I saw many interesting inventions and it was great to talk with people who share the same passion about technology and believe in high tech entrepreneurship. I look forward to working with them and helping them commercialize with resources I have. It was a wonderful event!"
- Lily Liu, Entrepreneurship Project Manager, AerieScope Energy & Environment Tech Inc., Hamilton, ON
"What an excellent concept of a CO-OP show bringing together inventors , investors and the people that make it work in between! Our company will definitely be able to move forward with the help of the many experts' advice and the learning gained by being at the show . Thanks Otto and team for putting it all together."
- Shawn Wood, inventor, Thurlow, ON
"The first Great Canadian Inventions Show was a unique opportunity to expose my crosswalk safety innovation to a concentrated group of potential “Business Team Associates”. These are people who bring not just money, but product development, marketing, legal and other expertise required to successfully launch my idea. The format is excellent and creates an exciting environment in which to promote an invention."
- Monte Gisborne, inventor, Brechin, ON
"I attended your show for the first time and was impressed by the energy and unique ideas.The majority of items were well displayed .The owners were forthright ,and excited to show just what their creations could do.There was a cross section of ideas, something for everyone. My time was well invested. I look forward to the next one."
- Neil Clark, President, Greeley Group of Companies, Bowmanville, ON
"This show was very helpful to me. I am looking forward to the next one. Keep up the good work. I appreciate your hard work and big effort."
- Khaled Moftah, inventor, Toronto, ON
"As a business man searching for new products to produce and market, it is very hard to work at this process on your own. Attending the inventors show provided an "outside the box" approach to new product discovery. The inventors were worth talking to directly . Aside from their products, which are very worthy of marketing, you will find a wealth of extra hidden wisdom in what they do. The show is a refreshing idea exchange which I recommend to all business people in the new product development field."
- Peter Appleton, Inflated Game Systems Ltd., Bowmanville, ON
"The show was well attended and it was time well spent for me. Thank you Otto."
- Rob Shuttleworth, inventor, Toronto, ON
"Thanks to the Great Canadian Inventions show, I was able to make great contacts that would have been difficult to find on my own. There is still work to be done, but with the help of these support team members, things should move forward at a better pace."
- Rob Nelson, inventor, Toronto, ON
"I believe that the world is a better place with inventors in it. There are so many incredible ideas that could change the course of humanity but they need an incubator and support to be realized. The inventions show is the perfect arrangement to safely grow any idea or invention."
- A.M. Daniolos, Pholia, Toronto, ON
"When I got home from the SHOW I learned that I must have done something right because I had an offer for my project. Currently I am talking to .....and there appears to be some interest from a Mississauga investors group also. This could not have been more exciting for me. It was like watching my dreams come true before my very eyes. I knew I had a winner. Thanks again for this fabulous opportunity. I will be attending more of your workshops for sure. The whole event you gentlemen put on simply rocked the house. We were very impressed and pleased with the outcome."- Glen Hammond, inventor, Brantford, ON
"I attended your inventors showcase last week. I did chat with an inventor about an invention of his. We agreed that I would pursue his idea further to our mutual benefit. I did enjoy seeing such great ideas at the show....I wish to attend the next one as well." - Stephen Balcerzak, Willow Wells All Canadian Import Export Company Ltd., Waterloo, ON ___________________________________
Our Supporters
Enterprise Toronto
Hawarya Multicultural Newspaper
Investors Group
Kawartha Lakes Small Business Enterprise Centre and Economic Development Office
Kingsway Profession Engineers Organization
Innovation Initiative Co-operative Inc.
TorontoJobs.ca
Click to read:
Inside Toronto Article About the Great Canadian Inventions Show Nov/2010 |
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