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The Inventors Corner—Great Ideas and Great New Products"

From idea to invention, from concept to completion, what does it take for a product to make it to the marketplace? For some, the first step is to test the market at the Inventors Corner at the International Home + Housewares Show.

Each year, the Inventors Corner showcases the work of some of the most creative entrepreneurs in the country, who devise solutions to consumers needs. The exhibit has become a launching pad for new products, some of which have quickly reached the market and become a winner in consumer's minds.

The Inventors Corner premiered at the 2003 Show with assistance from INPEX, America's largest invention trade show where inventors show their products and attempt to make contacts with companies interested in buying, licensing, marketing or manufacturing new products. Jennifer Lawlor, director of corporate development for INPEX, has referred many companies to the Inventors Corner.

"The Housewares Show has been the best show that we've found in terms of product innovation," Lawlor says. In 2007, more than 30 companies exhibited in the Inventors Corner, and some experienced great success.

"What's best about the Inventors Corner is the ability of a company to be seen," Lawlor says. "If a company bought a booth on their own at the Show, they might receive less attention. By having a place that's a Show destination, there's much more exposure. Inventors Corner exhibitors meet people that can give them the jumpstart that they need."

Companies need the push, Lawlor says, because it is so difficult to bring an invention to the marketplace. She says that only about 1 percent of inventions ever actually make it to a retail shelf. As a result, Lawlor says, "Most people are just taking baby steps each time they exhibit at any show. It's not to say they won't make it big, but it's really difficult to make it. It's time consuming, expensive, and you have to be business savvy. The Inventors Corner is a first step for many."

One of the most recent success stories from the Inventors Corner is the Pizza Pro, a spatula-like tool that helps one to cut and serve pizza with just one hand. Cheri Bosworth, president of the company, says she developed the product after trying to cut a frozen pizza with a pair of scissors. After that concept worked to an extent, Bosworth and her team developed a product that has two cross-blades made of stainless steel about 8" in length. A capped screw of the same material forms the fulcrum at which the cross-blades meet and attach. Scissor handles made of polypropylene are attached to and project from the base of these cross-blades. Projecting outward from the upper cross-blade, or horizontally from the lower cross-blade is a triangular-shaped spatula blade about 8" in length and a base of approximately 4" wide. The cross-blades and spatula are each coated with non-stick material.

"The Pizza Pro not only makes it easy to cut and serve pizza at the same time, but it prevents messiness in the serving area, prevents damage to pizza pans and maintains the visual appeal of pizzas, and that is important to some people," Bosworth says. After surfing online to identify help to develop the product, Bosworth says she found the Inventors Corner and felt it would be a great place to start. She wasn't prepared, however, for the reaction to the product, which was "awesome," she says. "We were on TV every night during the Housewares Show, we had interviews with all of the news stations, and so many people were interested in our product. We had about 50 strong leads from the Show and the Inventors Corner alone." The Pizza Pro product is currently being patented and manufactured, and Bosworth says she will return to the Housewares Show this year to sell it. "As an inventor I can't think of a better place to show your product," she says. "You get manufacturers, distributors and buyers, all in one place. It is worth every dime and plus to exhibit in the Inventors Corner."

Another product that credits its success to exhibiting at the Inventors Corner is the Dustbunny, a "round" sheet cleaner that collects more dirt and dustbunnies than existing "flat" sheet cleaners. The product is a 3" ball covered by an electrostatic sleeve that rolls along hard floors to pick up dust and pet hair. Unlike flat cleaners, the ball is motorized and moves randomly around the floor.

The Dustbunny is co-invented by Raquel Barela and Bradford Morse, and the original idea arose when Morse was attempting to dust his concrete floors with minimal effort. He shared the idea with Barela and together they refined the concept to become the Dustbunny.

Barela and Morse first exhibited in 2006 in the Inventors Corner, and found it to be a venue to showcase the Dustbunny to a very large buyer audience for a minimal cost.

"As an inventor, it would have been nearly impossible to reach the type of audience at the Housewares Show," Barela says. "It was at the 2006 Show that we met representatives from QVC and were able to present the Dustbunny concept to them. The exposure that we received ultimately gave us the opportunity to sell the Dustbunny on QVC and get the Dustbunny in front of the American audience. I would recommend participation at the Inventor's Corner in the Home + Housewares Show to any inventor of a housewares product."

Have you ever found yourself trying to balance a drink and plate at a social function? The Social Plate, invented by Tabitha Kuhn, makes it easier to hobnob at events. The product solves the problem of trying to socialize, eat and drink by leaving one hand free. Simply put your hand underneath the plate and slide your thumb through the designated opening. Stemware, cans and plastic ware fit perfectly and guests can carry multiple food and beverage items all at once.

Kuhn and her company first exhibited at the Show in 2006, and like the Dustbunny and Pizza Pro, she enjoyed immediate success. "We were selected by HGTV right at the Show," Kuhn says."They aired our product during their International Home + Housewares Show segment. It was great way to get national exposure." The product currently has two distributors and is getting prototypes for a six-plate packaged set, in addition to finding retailers in the Denver, Colo. area, where the company is located.

Another kitchen product that won success literally overnight at the International Home + Housewares Show is the Keepeez Vacuum Food Sealer, invented by Edward Z. Cai, Ph.D., president of Lectent LLC. The product enables you to vacuum seal food in your own food bowls, platters, canisters or cans, doesn't require electricity, and is reusable and durable, thus saving money and being friendly to environment. Available in a full line of Keepeez LIDS (ranging from 3.5″ for vacuum sealing cups, glasses, and cans) and LID+DISH sets (ranging from 1 cup to 4-qt), it keeps food fresh up to five-times longer.

Cai says that the Housewares Show "truly made Keepeez Vacuum Food Sealers a success story overnight. We were on all key TV channels (selected as the #1 product for home by NBC Today Show, and featured on HGTV and ABC), and we were in major newspapers. In addition, we had the good fortune to meet in our booth with key buyers from nearly all major retailers, including QVC, HSN, Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, Linens ‘n Things, Wegman's, Roundy's and Williams Sonoma. Our Keepeez products have already become one of the best sellers at The Container Stores and on QVC, and in many specialty stores. We are going to be in Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens ‘n Things, Wegman's, and some premium kitchen and food stores in December and January 2008."

Thanks to the Inventors Corner at the 2007 International Home + Housewares Show, these inventors are well on their way to fame. Look for more inventive new products at this year's Inventors Corner, located in the South Building, during the 2008 Show, March 16-18 at McCormick Place in Chicago.