UW-Whitewater: Conference on Innovation draws inventors and entrepreneurs to Wisconsin

Contact: Kristina Fowler

262-472-1365

innovate@uww.edu

The 2010 Ideas to Profits Conference, Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 at Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, will bring together inventors, entrepreneurs, innovative manufacturers and professionals from across the Midwest for two days of events and networking.

The conference, a great value at only $99, features experts on innovative business practices, intellectual property, prototyping, marketing and financing. It is sponsored by the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a specialty center that conducts market research for manufacturers, technology businesses and independent inventors.

Popular Science Top 10 Inventions of the Year winner Ben Hobbins, a speaker at this year’s conference, raised $100,000 from investors at the conference last year.

“I would recommend any inventor or entrepreneur attend this conference,” Hobbins said. “Success is all about solid intellectual property, access to information, networking, and personal drive.’’

Keynote addresses will be given by Richard Foreman, President and CEO of Enventys product design and engineering firm and executive producer of the Emmy® Award winning PBS TV show, Everyday Edisons, and Richard Meeusen, President and CEO of Badger Metter, Inc. and winner of the 2009 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for manufacturing in the Upper Midwest region.

Breakout session speakers include marketing consultants, intellectual property attorneys, angel investors, new product scouts, and business development specialists.

Inventors will have the chance to win prizes valued at up to $2,500 as they compete in the Inventors’ Showcase and Competition. The showcase is a special component of the conference, and a great way for inventors to exhibit their work, seek the advice of new product scouts, and gain potential investors. Anyone can participate, whether the product is in the idea stage or already introduced to the market. Four finalists will be chosen. Deadline for entry is August 30.

For complete conference and inventors’ competition details, contact WISC at 262-472-1365, innovate@uww.edu or go online to http://www.ideas2profits.org <http://wwwideas2profits.org>.

The Ideas to Profits Conference is made possible through the support of these sponsors: the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics, Fox Valley Technical College FabLab, the Discovery Center at Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center, the NanoRite center for innovation and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network. Information on becoming a sponsor is available on the conference Web site.

Contact:

Kristina “Kaia” Fowler

Wisconsin Innovation Service Center
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

1200 Hyland Hall

Whitewater Wisconsin, 53190

Web: http://www.ideas2profits.org

Phone: 262-472-1365

Fax: 262-472-1600

E-mail: innovate@uww.edu