Invent-Tech inventors have been represented at ASI (Advertising Speciality Institute) events since 2004, and the Chicago edition of the show has always proven to be productive. ASI events are replete with manufacturers from the promotional products industry, which encompasses an extremely diverse range of categories. Therefore, there are usually a substantial number of potential opportunities available for the wide variety of Invent-Tech inventor product ideas represented by ITT Licensing™ .

Join us on Wednesday for two days of coverage!

To begin with, earlier in June, a Texas-based infomercial company that has had numerous television successes throughout the past decade agreed to join Innovation Direct™, and ITT Licensing™ representatives had committed to getting them a package of inventions in multiple categories to review as soon as possible.

Accordingly, the ITT Licensing™ representative managing their Innovation Direct™ account put together preliminary, non-confidential information on 20 Invent-Tech inventor product ideas, spanning the household, fitness, and lawn and garden categories. That information was sent via e-mail to our contact at the company, and the very next business day, the contact at the manufacturer had already responded and alerted us to the fact that they had an interest in acquiring more information about 3 of the items from the group. After signing the prerequisite non-disclosure agreement, access to all of the detailed design information available on each invention was sent, and we now await the company’s feedback on their review of that material.

A second case is that of a Massachusetts-based hardware products company that had become a part of the Innovation Direct™ program back in late February, and that was sent preliminary, non-confidential information on 12 Invent-Tech inventor product ideas recently. The manufacturer, which has been in business for 128 years and consequently is one of the most respected names in the hardware industry, has already reviewed one previous Innovation Direct™ package but did not have any further interest in those items. We are certainly hopeful that there will be a different result on this occasion and will bring you the details of any developments here on the Invent-Tech Network.

Finally, the Oklahoma-based company that we have reported on numerous times over the past year here on the Invent-Tech Network, and that is the exclusive U.S.-based licensee of a globally-renowned electronics brand, was recently sent a package of preliminary, non-confidential information on 10 Invent-Tech inventor product concepts. The manufacturer, which actively seeks products in the home security, computer accessories, consumer electronics, and home automation categories, had previously reviewed varied pieces of information on 56 Invent-Tech inventor ideas in the past 11 months through the Innovation Direct™ program.

Join us in the coming weeks for more updates!

However, the often reduced traffic is usually a blessing in disguise, as it provides ample opportunity for exhibitors to network with others on the show floor, and to visit more extensively with those that stop by their booth. Our trade show contingent reports that such was essentially the case on Thursday, as they conversed with quite a few individuals intrigued by ITT Licensing™’s range of services for inventors.

Additionally, a member of our trade show team did have opportunities to collect business cards from fellow exhibitors on behalf of Invent-Tech inventors, and those will be reviewed in detail upon his return to the office, with the purpose of determining whether there will be some viable candidates for the Innovation Direct™ program within the group.

Join us in the coming weeks on the Invent-Tech Network as we update you on any follow-ups with the companies met during Licensing International 2008!

Although they did not have time to elaborate on any contacts made on behalf of Invent-Tech inventors during the very latter part of the day, we are certain to receive more information tomorrow during Day 3. With the substantial attendance that the first 2 days of the show have boasted, it would not be surprising to learning that the final installment brings much of the same!

Join us Thursday for all the details!

The first is a company interested specifically in inventions related to cut and sew toys. The company representative that chatted with my colleagues emphasized that they do not seek plastic injection molded toy product concepts, but rather the “softer” version. The second manufacturer is one that is seeking all manner of automotive accessories for the aftermarket.

Both contacts were very receptive to joining ITT Licensing™’s Innovation Direct™ program, and the appropriate follow-up will occur shortly after the conclusion of Licensing International 2008. Incidentally, we are certainly pleased to be able to provide a tangible example of just how potentially valuable ITT Licensing™’s trade show participation can be for the Invent-Tech inventors that we represent. As evidenced by both of today’s posts, there are a very wide variety of industries represented at this show!

Join us later in the day for more regarding Day 2!

Among the visitors during the first half of today’s proceedings: A gentleman who was in the toy industry for many years and now serves as a private invention agent, along the lines of our West Coast-based industry partner that we have mentioned many times here on the Invent-Tech Network; a newly established outdoor products company that is seeking product ideas in categories such as camping, picnic, cooking, and apparel; and a Hong Kong-based outfit seeking consumer electronics items.

We should be receiving another update from our trade show contingent shortly, as they indicated to me in the conversation that yielded the information in this post that the booth was beginning to experience heavy traffic once again. Join us shortly for more!

Among the notable companies spoken to were a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer seeking all manner of inventions related to eyewear and related accessories; an outfit headquartered in Malaysia that is seeking to review items in a wide variety of categories, due to their diversified manufacturing capabilities; and another company that seeks new ideas in the area of board games.

We naturally will be attempting follow-ups with these entities on behalf of Invent-Tech inventors shortly after the conclusion of the trade show and will bring you all relevant updates, here on the Invent-Tech Network. In the meantime, join us on Wednesday as we bring you all of the details regarding Day 2 of Licensing International 2008!

We are pleased to learn of this development and will be following up with this lead on behalf of Invent-Tech inventors in the days immediately following the conclusion of the show. We are also glad to see that Day 1 of  the 2008 version of Licensing International appears to be following the pattern of success experienced by ITT Licensing™ in prior years of the event. Check back in later for a wrap-up of a successful first day!

Day 1 certainly has gotten off to a positive start in this regard, as the ITT Licensing™ trade show contingent has already made one particularly valuable contact on behalf of Invent-Tech inventors in the form of a representative of a Neece, France-based manufacturer of hardware and tools with considerable distribution points in the United States for their products, according to information they culled in their conversation with him Tuesday morning. The gentleman was very intrigued by the sound of ITT Licensing™’s Innovation Direct™ program, and requested that his company be implemented into the process as soon as possible.

We are certain that Day 1 will continue along in successful fashion, and all the details will be found here on the Invent-Tech Network. Join us later in the day for more!

One of the members of our trade show team who toured the exhibit floor extensively yesterday and today explained that not only were the attendees of the event quite eclectic, but that our fellow exhibitors were as well. My colleague explained that among the companies he met outside of the hardware industry were those specializing in snack foods, electronics, and bathroom items, just to name a few. We certainly will have a considerable number of companies to contact beginning next week regarding Invent-Tech inventor product ideas and look forward to forging a number of beneficial new relationships from this group.

Thank you for joining us for our trade show coverage. Join us Monday, May 19th as we bring you all the latest on our follow-ups with companies from the last 2 shows!