Media Contacts:

Deb Hess

Minnesota Inventors Congress

deb@minnesotainventorscongress.org

507-627-2344

Laura Griffith

Risdall Public Relations

lgriffith@risdall.com

651-286-6775

Explore the Nations Newest Inventions at Invention Expo 2014, May 2-3

All-ages event celebrates creativity, introduces attendees to new ideas and innovations

REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. (April 7, 2014) Aspiring inventors and consumers of all ages are invited to explore new inventions at Invention Expo 2014 on May 2-3, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Presented by the Minnesota Inventors Congress, Invention Expo 2014 provides opportunities to see new products from Minnesota and across the nation, give feedback to inventors on their creations, and learn how to bring new ideas to life.

Innovation and creativity are essential to growing the Minnesota economy, says Deb Hess, program director of the Minnesota Inventors Congress. The Invention Expo brings together imaginative inventors, interested consumers, potential investors, product scouts and industry experts everyone who plays a key role in product development.

Attractions during Invention Expo 2014 include:

• Exhibits See, test and purchase new products from a compact conceal-carry pistol as small as a credit card, to an extractor that removes deeply embedded, stubborn nails with less damage.
• Pitch the Experts Panel Sponsored by the United Inventors Association, attendees can watch inventors practice their pitches and gather feedback on their products from national product scouts, and potentially secure real licensing opportunities.
• Pixel Power: More than a Trillion! Learn how Daktronics engineers can create more than four trillion color combinations using just three colors as building blocks.
• Muskie Tank The top five student finalist of the Century College Muskie Tank will pitch their business plans, while attendees vote on their favorites.
• Inventing Success Workshops Inventors, small businesses, entrepreneurs and the general public can attend 23 workshops designed to help make better business decisions from courses on intellectual property and licensing, to insights on social media and crowdfunding. Keynote speakers include Jeffry Brown, a former Apple leader who will address the innovation of invention and encourage thinking differently, and Dr. Zachary Crockett, founder and CTO of Spark, who will discuss how connectivity is impacting the future of product design.

General attendance tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for kids five and under. Additional tickets are required for admittance to any of the 23 Inventing Success Workshops, $50 two pass with entrance to the expo. For a complete list of activities or to purchase tickets, visit www.minnesotainventorscongress.org/invention-idea-show.

Individuals interested in showcasing their inventions can register as an exhibitor online at www.minnesotainventorscongress.org/invention-idea-show/registration.

About Minnesota Inventors Congress

Established in 1958, the Minnesota Inventors Congress (MIC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to stimulating economic development by supporting innovation and inventors at all phases of the invention development process. Through year-round access to knowledgeable staff and resources, MIC connects inventors with information and experts to learn how to develop marketable products. MICs annual Invention Expo is the oldest continuous-running invention convention in the world, and until 2014 was held in Redwood Falls, Minn. For more information, visit www.minnesotainventorscongress.org.

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