Kansas Wrap-Up
Representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and leaders in the innovation and business development communities wrapped up another Regional Independent Inventors Conference April 19-20, 2013, providing innovators and entrepreneurs with invaluable information on intellectual property and how to integrate it into business strategies.
Wichita, Kan., was the site for our two-day conference full of important tools, resources, information, and networking. The event was co-hosted by Wichita State University and located at the National Center for Aviation Training facility in Wichita.
Following a pre-conference event on Thursday night that provided attendees with a primer on basic intellectual property issues and USPTO services, the event kicked into full gear on Friday morning with the USPTO's Elizabeth Dougherty giving an in-depth overview of patents, trademarks, and the various resources and programs offered to the public by the USPTO. Attendees found much to learn from presentations that included a panel discussion on best commercialization practices, delivered by members from the Inventors Association of South Central Kansas, to a session on changes to patent law under the America Invents Act, facilitated by USPTO Acting Associate Commissioner for Innovation Development John Calvert.
Wichita State University President John Bardo welcomed attendees to Friday's luncheon before giving the podium to keynote speaker Louis Foreman. Foreman, CEO and founder of Enventys and Edison Nation, as well as the creator and executive producer of the Emmy-winning PBS show "Everyday Edisons," spoke to the audience about great ideas and the importance of taking them to the next step.
A lot of information was covered in just two days, but attendees left feeling energized and confident about their innovation and entrepreneurship journey.
Here's what attendees had to say:
"I consider this conference to have been well worth my time and money. Everyone was wonderful and knowledgeable and answered every question I had. Thank you."
"Excellent information, excellent speakers [from] a government entity that is useful and functional while being relatively efficient and economical."
"I told Ms. Dougherty that I got my money's worth on the first night. So much professional information!"
"Real informative two days. Time well spent!"
