Minnesota Inventors Congress offers forum for creative minds.
by Steve Lange
A handful of people crowd around Brian Flanagan, 45, as he demonstrates a solar-powered doghouse featuring a wireless camera, temperature monitor and heating system during the 51st annual Minnesota Inventors Congress in Redwood Falls, Minn.
“It’s the ultimate doggie house to keep your canine cool in summer and warm in winter,” says Flanagan, of Eden Prairie, Minn., touting the K9 Solar Lodge that he designed and built with fellow inventors Rick Miller, 54, and Thomas McGrew, 48.
A few booths down, Vickie Weber, 41, of Welcome, Minn., is selling Scicle Socks, insulated, foam-sleeved freezer pop holders that she designed to “keep your treats frozen, not your fingers.”
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http://www.americanprofile.com/spotlights/article/33750.html
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Sept. 2, 2010
To Deb Hess and MIC Staff
I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to exhibit at your event again this year. First I’d like to say how very honored and awestruck I was to get to meet the founder Mr. Robert F. Starr. As I felt blessed to be standing with 3 generations of the Starr family speaking with such a jovial, gentle and insightful “slightly older fellow”, I wondered if he realized the work he started years earlier had actually become the “Aorta” to the heart of countless inventors in their quest to better mankind.
After being at this year’s show I had the opportunity to study more aggressively what could actually happen at such an event. As I was speaking with a man who was considering bringing an idea to next year’s show, an agent from the USPTO walked up and joined our conversation. After I introduced them, I let them converse and I began to realize that I was standing in one of only a half dozen places in the world possible where in one day I personally had conversations with the biggest names in the country in numerous fields such as: Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Business Coach Dr. Jeff Stamp; Licensing Agents such as Trevor Lampert of Lampert & Lampert; Writers/Lic. Agent such as Ron Docie; USPTO Agents; Patent Attorneys; and representatives from nearly every field imaginable; sales, marketing, medical, manufacturing, education, etc..
Our team was able to do a short survey giving us valuable info & product validation in less than two days. We were able to hand out samples to Techs on duty for product evaluation, network with distribution people and connect with manufacturing, and marketing professionals. All of this under one roof. All I can say is “WOW”.
Again I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone with the MIC, and have a great year, and hope to see you next year (maybe with a new invention).
Thanks, from Bob Heitkamp and the entire staff here at Midwest Applied Technologies.
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July 21, 2010
Thanks for spending so much time on the phone with me. It’s really nice to talk with someone who has the same interests.
I just wanted to tell you that the Inventors Congress really made sense to me this year. I didn’t realize that the show part was there to help people get others’ point of view and see if they might have a great idea! And really, without going to the workshops and listening to the speakers, you don’t get the whole concept of what’s going on. I was very impressed with the entire package.
Inventing isn’t an easy ordeal for the individual so it’s really a blessing to have this event to attend.
Thanks
Scott, South Dakota
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Nov. 2009
A gazillion +1 thanks for a wonderful presentation. You deserve a heartfelt expression of thanks and gratitude. Your talk and the advice you provided about invention development was one of the highpoints of my students’ semester. As future intellectual property lawyers who aspire to work with and serve the inventor community, the students found your remarks about the needs and perspectives of inventors to be of enormous practical value. As a result of your talk, they felt they had a deeper understanding of how best to communicate and work with inventors, as well as a deeper respect for the inventive process. We all hope you will agree to make your visit an annual event.
I hope you will be willing to explore ways for us to work together and that you will not hesitate to turn to us if you feel the IP Law Clinic can be of assistance to the Minnesota Inventors Congress. You perform an extremely valuable service, and we would feel honored and privileged to help contribute to your continued success.
Thanks again for a great presentation.
Best regards,
Jay Erstling
Professor of Law
William Mitchell College of Law
875 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
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June 16, 2009
“Unbelievable!!! What can I possibly say about Deb’s performance that isn’t already public knowledge. If there is anyone who hasn’t been to the MIC’s show, you “must” go. Again, I have been blessed with the opportunity to be involved with one of the world’s finest productions.
The Minnesota Inventors Congress was a creation second to none, hosting an extremely diverse group of people with an unbelievable array of new products and inventions that are guaranteed to change the world and touch thousands (if not millions) of peoples lives in the very near future. Thanks for a great time and the opportunity to meet so many, and make so many connections in just a couple of days.
Thanks from all of us at Midwest App Tech………Bob Heitkamp”
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April 21, 2009
MIC Board of Directors,
The Minnesota Inventors Congress has been a very important part of my invention process.
For years I had come up with different ideas but never really persuade them because I wasn’t quite sure how. In February of 2008, I had another product idea and decided to call MIC. I was a little hesitant because I had never talked to anyone about my ideas except close family members. Making that first call was probably the most important thing I did. I talked to Deb Hess. She was very open to listen, and had an abundance of knowledge and information on how to proceed with the next steps. Deb suggested books that I should read and many online tools that would help me get started. We talked many times in the process. She would always have more information and numerous people to contact to get me to the next step.
I have now started a company, produced my product and now I am test marketing it. I feel this would have never been possible without the help of Deb Hess and the Minnesota Inventors Congress. It was that first call to MIC that made all this possible.
Thank you to Deb Hess and The Minnesota Inventors Congress!
Sincerely,
Philip Zweber
Zweber’s Edge
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April 10, 2009
My name is Stephen Key. I have been licensing my ideas and have been in the inventing community for the past 30 years. I cannot say enough about the information that the Minnesota Inventors Congress and in particular Deb Hess provide.
Our country was built on innovation. It’s important to keep innovation going in these tough economic times. Statistics have shown that some of the greatest ideas have been developed during a downturn in the economy. When the economy turns and things get better we need to be ready with new and innovative products to help stimulate the economy.
The journey to bring a product to market is a long and winding one full of pitfalls. It’s very important to get the right information at the right time in order to be successful. The information that MIC provides is invaluable and important to anyone that wants to be successful.
It does not matter if someone is licensing their ideas or bringing them to market themselves it creates jobs. Small businesses are the backbone of this country and as such MIC supports and helps them grow through the great information and help that they provide.
MIC and Deb Hess are leaders in the inventing industry. The services and information that they provide are invaluable and now is not the time to cut back.
Sincerely,
Stephen M Key
President
Stephen Key Design, LLC
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April 10, 2009
My name is Walt Johnson and I’m a librarian for the Hennepin County Library system. I work at the Central Library in downtown Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Central is a part of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s network called the Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP). There are about 85 such-designated libraries throughout the U.S. and we’re the only one in the state of Minnesota. It is part of our mission to disseminate patent and trademark information and support diverse intellectual property needs of the public.
As a librarian I am trained to answer general questions about patents and teach classes on how patent searching for independent inventors, small business owners and entrepreneurs. In addition to my own responsibilities and duties, it’s important to be able to refer patrons to other resources outside of the public library. I am glad my patrons have the Minnesota Inventors Congress (MIC) at their disposal.
Not surprisingly, inventors often seek advice on how to sell or market their products, what to do once they are granted a patent, whether or not to get a patent attorney involved, etc. While my colleagues and I retrieve information and assist our patrons in any way we can, we cannot give legal and business advice or tell people how to run their business. That’s why it’s good to have MIC as an additional resource. Through MIC’s staff and events inventors can learn from other inventors; from people who have been through the patenting/marketing process and can speak from personal experience. Having attended some MIC events myself I have seen firsthand how beneficial and valuable their services can be.
Likewise, it’s great to have MIC refer people to our PTDL at the Central Library. It’s been great working with them over the years, and I hope that will continue in the future.
Walt Johnson
Hennepin County Library-Central
Business/Science/Government Documents
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April 9, 2009
Dear Deb,
After my product launch for Synapse, the game I invented, the Minnesota Inventor’s Congress was my first public show to gain exposure and generate sales for the game. It was the perfect start for someone who had done everything without any business training or mentoring. That included the creative process, working with professionals for the design, and then manufacturing the product. Having stepped into the business world, I now had to market Synapse. MIC was the right first step. It was large enough to get my product out there, but small enough so that it didn’t overwhelm me.
We had an outstanding time talking to people, meeting inventors and making contacts. This was the first year that exhibitors could sell things for which I was happy because I sold 13 of my games. One man liked the game so much that he bought a box of 6 games. Another interesting customer I had was a teacher who works with gifted students and liked how Synapse stretched the brain!
There were a number of product scouts who stopped to talk to me. Three told me that they thought Synapse was the best product there…of course, they may say that to a number of exhibitors! The representative from the US Patent Office visited with me for quite a while and gave me some good contact information. He said Synapse would be a good “team-building” game–for a group of employees to learn to work together. One of the graphic designers who was there complimented the fine work of the Synapse graphics. One of the keynote speakers also visited with me for quite a while and offered helpful advice. I was happy to receive a silver medal at the awards banquet.
I actually bought two other products (both were gold medal winners). It was very interesting talking to the other inventors and hearing their “stories.” I think there were only about 5 or 6 women inventors and I was very proud to be one of them. I still keep my eyes and ears attuned to what some of the other inventors are doing. Just this week I saw one of them featured by a photographer who is telling the stories of inventors. At the MN State Fair last August, we sought out another MIC inventor who was exhibiting there.
Whenever I hear of someone who is interested in the invention process, I encourage them to go to the MIC in June. Last January I was invited to speak to two 6th grade classrooms at the beginning of their unit on inventing. Again, I shared my experience at the MIC which was very interesting to all of them. I definitely plan to attend this year’s event. Who knows…maybe I will have another invention to be an exhibitor!
Thank you for supporting inventors!!
Carol Laitinen
New Ulm MN
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April 8, 2009
To whom it may concern,
Don’t mess with Deb Hess and the MIC. This is without a doubt the most useful organization I have ever dealt with in my entire life. I’m Fifty.
My name is Dr. John S. Allen. My daughter Kelly was born with a rare condition, Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency(PFFD). That basically means she was born without a thigh bone in her left leg. She now wears a prosthetic leg and is really doing very well. She is sixteen.
A few years ago she had to have minor surgeries on her big toe that fits into her prosthetic. The infections were caused by her not cleaning her prosthetic out good enough every night. At the end of each day anyone who wears any type of prosthetic device must clean it with soap and water, and then wipe it down with alcohol. At the end of the day, most individuals don’t do a diligent job. Infections are a big problem in the world of the limb deficient.
Kelly’s mother told her, that for a science fair project, she had to come up with a better way of disinfecting her leg. And she did. She got an A on the project and the people who build her leg said she had a very good idea, and we should patent it. This is where the value of the Minnesota Inventors Congress comes in.
My first thought of attaining a patent were thoughts of dealing with attorneys and the Federal government. Uff Da! I found the MIC on the web, and gave them a call. Deb Hess took me under her wing and guided me through the process. As I look back realize that she was incredibly patient and professional. She was straight forward with answers and encouraging. Deb also was very conscientious, of being realistic and making sure I was not getting over optimistic.
Today (April 8, 2009) I set up a meeting with individuals that are going to start a business based on Kelly’s invention. WE WOULD NOT BE AT THIS SITUATION IF THE MIC DID NOT EXIST!!
Because of the MIC, jobs are being created, and people are benefiting from new inventions. They will benefit from my daughters invention. I cannot think of a more American institution. It took someone as clueless as myself and made me a confident inventor.
At the 2007 convention I met individuals who are still helping us today. The Great State of Minnesota should take great pride in this little jewel, that is efficient, helpful and does a great deal for this Great country we live in.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dr. John S. Allen
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March 24, 2009
Governor Tim Pawlenty,
Office of the Governor, 130 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Re: Minnesota Inventors Congress Funding
Dear Governor Pawlenty,
I am writing this letter in regard to the possible elimination of funding for the MN Inventors Congress that apparently is being considered at this time. I’ve been member of the MN Inventors Congress and attended the show for two years. I’m thoroughly impressed with the ability and contribution of this organization. Let’s look at the role of the inventors play in the state of Minnesota. Everything started with an inventor with an idea. Take 3M for example; we certainly value their presence in the state and know what their idea has lead to. Not to mention others – look at Medtronics and the value they place in our communities – not only with their products and services, but the number of people they employ.
I understand that you’ve been invited to the congress every year but have not been able to attend. I would urge you to attend this year’s congress in June and bring your children. They have a young inventors program that you and your children would thoroughly be impressed with.
Our state spends hundreds of dollars trying to attract new business to come to this state sometimes the best ideas are to take ideas that are home grown and nurture them. The cost of the state funding this program is $85,000 a year which covers most of the expenses of this operation, which has a staff of one and a half people. That’s got to be the best bang for the buck going. When you consider the millions of dollars we spend on other endeavors some with little or no success , it would seem that this $85,000 investment would be a bargain. Without the funding we will loose this program I don’t know if you are aware that people from all over the country come to this event looking for new ideas that they can bring to market. The inventors congress has been on the Jay Leno show more than once. This is national publicity that you can’t buy. The Inventors Congress is celebrating its 52nd year and I feel it’s absolutely mandatory that we find a way to come up with the $85,000 that’s required. I know dollars are tight and I know that you have to make cuts nearly everywhere, but surely we can find a way leave 85,000 in the budget for the continuation of this great program. We need to continue to invent and support these entrepreneurs.
I hope that you will consider including this in your budget and also possibly schedule a time to attend the conference which is on a Friday and Saturday, June 12 & 13, 2009. If you could be there on a Friday night, I think that the hundreds of people that attend the banquet would certainly love to hear a few inspirational words from you. And remember your children will love the show as well.
Respectfully,
Lance G. Reasor
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3.31.09
To whom it may concern:
My name is Grant Hanson. I’m 60 years old. I’m from and have lived in Glenwood MN all my life, except for the time I spent as a Seabee while in the service.
My parents told me that I was inventing things as a child. It’s something that I seem to have in me. Many in my area have come to me looking for advice on what to do with their new idea. One very sad comment that I heard, more than once, is that they have sent money to a business that has promised to do things, but the things have never happened.
I find it more than interesting that this firm uses a logo much the same as the Minnesota Inventors Congress (MIC). Even their phone number is almost the same. One thing, though, is very different. The information that I’ve gotten from the MIC has always been good. They have never taken my money promising me anything. Why would any private firm try to imitate a well known and respected organization like the MIC? I think it is clear. A counterfeit has value only because there is value in the real. Please help the MIC survive this trying time. It’s as important as any education program in the state.
Grant Hanson
Glenwood MN
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For new and experienced inventors, attending the education workshops at the expo is the best investment to make to assure success through the invention process.
Ken Wilson, Wilson Marketing Group, Plymouth MN
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The seminars are fact based and provide inventors with the tools necessary to make intelligent decisions in the invention development process.
John Calvert, US Patent and Trademark Office. Arlington VA
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My exhibition with the Minnesota Inventors Congress in 1986 was like the moment of birth of my healthy new start-up called Nada-Chair. I learned that the process of birthing a business works in reverse: true labor pains begin in earnest after the moment of delivery and grow daily thereafter. But 20 years of challenges and growth have not lessened my appreciation for the great care, skill and professional supervision MIC provided me at this critical time. Confidence was built from interactions of attendees who became customers at the show. Sure footing was provided by the patent and legal counsel that was readily available without strings attached. Finally, exposure I received in the press was better promotion than I could have ever hoped for (given the two dimes I had pressed between forefinger and thumb had already been committed elsewhere). My “get rich slow” scheme has given me and my company many productive years and I thank the staff at the Minnesota Inventors Congress for being there at the start and for following up faithfully since. I look forward to exhibiting again in 2007 with what I hope will be an easier product to market.
Victor T., St. Paul MN (2006)
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To all whom made MIC 2003 the most organized expo I have ever seen. First, I would like to thank all of the founders, directors and also the behind the scenes people who I occasionally would see doing this or that as I was displaying at my booth. These individuals I found to be most helpful and courteous, even concerning my most trivial questions. I must say also that some of my questions were quite stupid no, let’s say lacking content and I still don’t know how they managed to keep straight faces when asked questions lacking content. Also thank you, to those whom helped me get to the expo. These people I know remember me, and my lacking content questions. Their patience should be rewarded with some type of sainthood award. Thanks to the founders and veterans from whom bestowed their unwritten knowledge and experiences with all of us. To the city of Redwood Falls, I would consider moving to such a town, thank you to all the sponsors, businesses and chamber. I also thank all who attended the conference you all were welcoming and you helped make my days fly by, thank you for your input for my research. If you were involved with MIC and I missed you, Thank you too. I hope to come back next year with perhaps a clean invention, God willing. Thank you all.
Chad C., Tigerton WI (2003)
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I don’t know if you remember me, my name is Bob P. I spoke with you on the phone during this last summer. You gave me tons of advice and informed me about a provisional patent process using available software. Along with your advice and the computer program, I now have a provisional patent filed with the Patent and Trademark Office. I truly am thankful and feel lucky that I spoke with you. It was nice of you take the time to explain things and help me. Many Many Thank Yous.
Bob P. (2007)
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I am the last person to ever endorse government spending. However, there is an organization I had reason to get involved with which gets a small stipend from the state. They deserve the support they receive. The Minnesota Inventors Congress not only helped me with extraordinary information about an idea I had, but saved me from a “scam”
Dick H., New Brighton MN (2005)
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Step Saver was incorporated in December 1995 by Chuck Steffl. Roger Hansen from Equity Elevator came up with the idea back in 1993, Equity bought an old delivery system from I think a company in Benson that had been acquired or sold (I can’t remember). The patent was filed on December 20, 1993 and was issued on August 29, 1995. Roger Hansen is listed as the inventor, and Equity Elevator is the Assignee. There was no work done until approx. September of 1995 on this project. Roger and the board of Equity Elevator wanted to set this up as a subsidiary or a complete different entity. Roger convinced me to take on this project, so sometime in August or September on 1995 I started working on the project.
At that time I believe we started out with approx. 15 customers in the Wood Lake area. With the help of Equity Elevator, attorneys, etc., Step Saver was incorporated in December of 1995. After incorporation Step Saver needed dollars to fund operations and growth so I started working with a firm in Minneapolis to do a stock offering. It took until February of 1997 for the SEC to approve Step Saver so we could raise funds. In the initial offering we were able to acquire funds from approx. 350 investors. Step Saver did subsequent offerings to continue raising funds for operations and growth.
During 1996 Step Saver attended the MIC and earned a Gold Medal for it’s product. Step Saver had three employees, Chuck Steffl, Joel McCoy (Joel is still with me) and Carol Hinz and a couple of part time employees. Step Saver delivered approx. 200,000 lbs of salt for the year 1996. Currently Step Saver has 15 full time and 4 part time employees, and we deliver on average approx. 1,500,000 lbs of salt per MONTH to approx. 1600 customers. Step Saver also has developed its own sidewalk de-icer, rents & sells water softeners to residential and commercial accounts. Step Saver has two rail sites, one in Wood Lake, MN and one in Morton, MN. The current area Step Saver delivers covers an area West to Volga, SD; Brookings, SD; Appleton; Montevideo; Willmar; Melrose; the seven county Metro areas; Eastern WI; down to Rochester; and back to SD. Step Saver has a lot of customers inside the circle.
Sometime in late 2002 Bixby Energy Systems located in Rogers, MN was just getting started and raising capital and had a new investor which had invested in Step Saver and I believe mentioned to Bixby about Step Savers revolutionary delivery service which Bixby had a strong desire to deliver Bio Mass fuel to its customers for their future furnaces. Step Saver had started working with a patent attorney to get a patent for the delivery of biomass fuels. Step Saver currently has a patent pending for delivery of Bio Mass fuels. Bixby since has acquired Step Saver and Step Saver is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Bixby Energy Systems. Bixby Energy Systems if founded by Bob Walker.
In August 2003 Step Saver moved its offices to Redwood Falls, MN, built a second rail site located in Morton, MN in 2004 and keeps on adding customers. Step Saver presented the Bixby Stove and our revolutionary new bio mass delivery service at the Redwood Falls Home show this spring and had a lot of interest. Step Saver is currently working on building a 3rd rail site which will serve the Metro area.
Step Saver also has licensees located in MN, SD, IA, UT, ID, OH and IN that utilized the Step Saver Patented System.
Chuck Steffl, Belview MN (2006)
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MIC is a great place to start.
Mark E., Flandreau SD
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MIC and a good patent attorney!
Dominic C., Starbuck MN
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Siemens has displayed at MIC’s Expo for the past three years. On our first visit, in 2001, we were extremely impressed with the quality of the show, which you have maintained, or even improved each year.
We also display at several of the other regional shows, and each year we say that MIC’s Expo is the standard to which the others need to aspire.
Keep up the GOOD WORK, and we will see you again next year.
Bill Siemens & Ed Smith, Fredericksburg, VA (2003)
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I’ve written down some of my thoughts regarding the impact that the MIC has had on our invention.
1. We met our patent attorney at a MIC seminar. He worked well with our group, and filed our patent application before we exhibited at the MIC in 2003.
2. Our patent was issued by the US Patent & Trademark Office in July, 2004.
3. Our trademark was approved by the US Patent & Trademark Office September, 2004.
4. We have applied for a second patent, and also a second trademark for a different application and market for the product.
5. We have recently signed a Letter of Intent with a company that we met while we were exhibiting at the MIC. This Minnesota-based company will handle the financial backing, marketing, manufacturing, and sales of our products.
6. We spent a significant amount of money in Minnesota while we worked on the research and development of our product. We purchased the raw materials and the CNC machining of our parts for many prototypes. We have also spent a significant amount of money on attorney fees for our patents and trademarks, and are currently working with an attorney and a CPA to establish a corporation for our 4 business partners.
The MIC has had a major impact on our invention. The MIC allowed us the opportunity to exhibit our invention to the public for the first time. The invention was very well received by the public, and it gave us the confidence to continue the process to develop a well designed and marketable product to a potentially huge market. The atmosphere surrounding the Minnesota Inventors Congress is very positive, and having so many creative people together in this environment would be difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate without this format. The community of Redwood Falls does an outstanding job of hosting this event.
Thanks for all your assistance.
Joel M., Albert Lea MN (2005)
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We would really like to thank you for your hospitality at the congress this weekend. We felt genuinely welcomed at the show and from the town of Redwood Falls.
We had a wonderful time and it was an unforgettable experience for all of us. We were truly honored to receive the Awards.
We will spread the work about the Congress and are looking forward to next year.
Tom R., Connie R., Dave P., Martin B., and Dave C., Mahtomedi MN (2006)
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Thanks loads for your help. I hope I can be back at your show soon with the finished product and a success story that became a success because of my participation in the MIC. That participation was the motivation that kept this thing going.
Robert V., Iola Grove IA (2007)
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Deb, this Tool Kit is extremely informational, inspiring, enlightening, candid and valuable. I am blessed to have come across your path and honor the opportunity to learn from you! Thank you kindly and i look forward to more.
A.H. Jacksonville FL
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The MIC is by far the best resource I have found.
Marlin O., Comfrey MN
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This is a very good place to start. Listen to what people say.
Walter W., Pittsville WI
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Attend the Workshops – very informative.
Raphael Isaac, Great Neck NJ
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MIC is devoted to the process of inventing….their good reputation is the drawing card for reputable manufacturers looking for new products.
Bob Lougher, Executive Director, United Inventors Association. (2002)
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2008 Testimonial
Tom Pasinki, President, The Paint Glider Co.
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Thank You’s for the 2008 Invention and Idea Show
Tom Pasinki, President, The Paint Glider Co.
