December 2011:

Frank founded TRIUR in April 2002 to provide consumer oriented, innovative and cost effective design services to the retail industry.  Design services include; Branding, Facility, Graphic and Merchandising design.  He subscribes to the philosophy that, “good design shouldn’t cost any more than bad design” and that in fiercely competitive markets where brand loyalty is a thing of the past, the winners will be those who have invested in a consumer centric, “Total Brand Experience”.  TRIUR clients include; Checksmart, Liberty Grand Villas, Key Chrysler Group, Speedway and Wright-Patt Credit Union. Previously, he held positions as Vice President, Design & Planning and Financial Industry Marketing for Design Forum, Dayton, Ohio.  He was responsible for marketing Design Forum services to financial institutions, nationally and internationally and managed a team of store planners and designers, to deliver innovative solutions to those clients.  He had a leadership role in the development of many of the concepts for Washington Mutual project “Occasio”, which has transformed consumer perceptions about retail banking.  Encouraging clients to “think beyond the box” and “leverage other retail successes”, have been key strategies in programs under his guidance.  He has had similar achievements, creating a Financial Services Mall model for Wright-Patt Credit Union and developing a new retail strategy for Benziger Family Wineries. Prior to joining Design Forum, he spent 19 years with NCR Corporation and was Director of NCR’s Design Centers, located in Dayton, OH, San Diego, CA and Scotland.  In this role he was responsible for the aesthetic and usability design of NCR’s product portfolio and championed the development of a consulting activity that offered design services to NCR customers.  Those services included facility design, graphic design, product packaging and user interface design.  The considerable learning from these design engagements was transferred to NCR development organizations to facilitate the engineering and development of products that were more reflective of real market needs.  This industry unique process was the recipient of an IDSA / BusinessWeek Gold award in 1997. Frank was born in Glasgow Scotland and is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, receiving his BA (honors) Industrial in 1979.  He is also the holder of numerous patents and design awards.

November 2011:

James Tyler is a fast starter. He interned at a start-up tech company in the tradeshow industry while in college. But instead of spending his time there fetching coffee, he immersed himself in the business. The result was a full time marketing/sales position immediately after graduation. James was part of the six-person sales team that the small company from $2.5 million to $10 million in just 18 months! At the end of 2007, he joined TyTek Industries as Business Development Manager liaising with new and existing customers and getting involved at the ground level on all new projects for all Tytek businesses. Mr. Tyler travels extensively, both domestically and to Asia, meeting with suppliers face-to-face to discuss critical issues of products and projects. In 2011, he spearheaded the launch of TyTek's second company, TyTek Medical, which became a standalone self sustaining entity in just three months. In addition to being a fast-starter in business, he is plenty fast elsewhere. His #5 ranking in the country in tennis doubles at age 16 led him to a tennis scholarship at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, on behalf of whom he travels as an ambassador, speaking to students about his experiences in the professional world and in international travel. While continuing to play high-level competitive tennis, he has discovered the joys of sand volleyball as well. Don't miss the chance to meet this go-getter who's going places!

October 2011:

Johnny Stone, formerly an environmental chemist who later became a computer systems analyst with the City of Cincinnati, was a retired veteran who found himself starting a whole new career when one of his favorite childhood hobbies turned into a thriving enterprise. When Stone lost about two dozen lead fishing sinkers during one fishing trip, it prompted him to create a better, environmentally safe solution. Created in 2008, Salamander Sinkers LLC manufactures lead-free, snag resistant fishing sinkers. Join us as Johnny fills us in on how he succeeded at taking his products from his garage to stores nationwide. Johnny will discuss the challenges he he faced along the way, the insights he gained along the way and clue us in on tips that every start-up needs to know. 

September 2011:

What is Intellectual Property? Webster's coins it as legal monopolies over
creations of the mind, both artistic and commercial. It is the ownership of
your ideas, the culmination of your ingenuity and the value of your dreams.
Our history is rich with intellectual property and from the conception of
the wheel to the first flicker of electricity, we are dependent on IP of the
past, and as we continually enter new stages of a technological world we are becoming even more dependent on the IP of our future. The rewards for
properly managed IP are immeasurable, as every idea has the potential to
change the world. Innovator's Warehouse was conceived after years of working deep in the trenches of the IP industry, experiencing first hand the struggles IP owners face. We realize your dream and recognize your hard work and are ready to treat your idea like it's the one that will shape the future of our generation and the ones that follow. At the Warehouse, we offer the tools and know-how to help the world's greatest resource reach its full potential. That resource is you, your creativity. Our goal is to maximize every single opportunity that owning IP offers its creator.

August 2011:

The ICC will not have a meeting in August but will resume our regular meeting schedule on September 6th. We hope to see you then!

July 2011:

Join us at July's meeting as accomplished professional Industrial Designer Robert Woolf brings the design process to light in sharing his rather unique approach to product development! As founder of Woolf Studio, Bob brings a wealth of environment, display and industrial design knowledge to the organization. Working as a design director for companies such as Fisher Design, CIP International, the Kroger Company and Hamilton Fixture. Bob has designed products, numerous office interior environments, showrooms, POP displays, and retail spaces for clients such as Cincinnati Bell, NisbetBrower, Starbucks, 5/3 Bank, the Chrysler Corporation, the Hillman Group, the Kroger Company and the Limited. Bob graduated with a BS Industrial Design from the Ohio State University and has continued his formal education at the Cleveland Institute of Art and the University of Cincinnati (DAAP). He also holds product patents on medical components, electronic devices, and consumer goods.

June 2011:

Jared Brandyberry, a recent University of Cincinnati College of Law graduate, currently works as a patent agent in the Cincinnati area.  Jared previously worked at the University of Cincinnati's Intellectual Property Office, the Cincinnati law firm Baker Hostetler, and at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).  At the University of Cincinnati Intellectual Property Office Jared worked with the UC College of Medicine on medical device and biotechnology inventions.  At Baker Hostetler he focused on patent preparation and patent litigation.  While at the USPTO, Jared gained valuable experience working under patent examiners and developing patent law policy.  In the future Jared will be working in Geneva, Switzerland at the World Intellectual Property Organization, a division of the United Nations that oversees the international Patent Cooperation Treaty (the international patent system).  Furthermore, Jared plans to continue to work as a patent agent while in Geneva and then return to Cincinnati to work as a patent attorney.

May 2011:

This month’s speaker is Elizabeth Edwards one of the principal “instigators’ behind Cincinnati Innovates, a regional innovation competition open to anyone who lives, works, plays, or is originally from the 15 county area of Greater Cincinnati.  The purpose of the competition is to find the best new products, businesses, and technologies in the region and connect them with resources that can help them take off.  Cincinnati Innovates will be awarding over $50,000 in awards from their sponsors to local inventors and entrepreneurs - five cash awards and three patent awards - so at least eight teams will receive a jumpstart for their projects.  Many of you will recall that many of our council members participated in last year’s competition and received nominations for awards. Elizabeth will be sharing all the details about this year’s upcoming competition as well as an update on last year’s winners.  Be sure to attend and get her insights on the importance of innovation today.  She’s committed to this competition because she firmly believes that the best innovations come from the most unexpected places. That’s why we’re doing this competition. Cincinnati Innovates is for anyone who has a great innovation and is ready to take it to the next level - whether that’s to market or to prototype.  They’re looking for professionals, students, academics, creatives, techies, and researchers from all industries and backgrounds.  This program is the brainchild of a bunch of venture capital investors and community leaders who want to create new opportunities for Cincinnati - whether that comes in the form of a cool new cleaning product or a device that stops global warming and cures cancer at the same time.

April 2011:

Mark Reyland, US Air Force veteran, former NSA Senior Intelligence Analyst, Executive Director of the United Inventors Association and Founder and CEO of Obvious Ideas LLC, returns once again to treat us to a birds-eye view into the world of Direct Response Television. Mark will educate us on just what it takes to break into this lucrative means of gaining the ultimate exposure for a demonstrable consumer product, which solves a common problem in a unique way. Don't miss this opportunity to learn the ropes first-hand from the head of the oldest and largest non-profit inventor organization in the USA!

March 2011:

Tom Hortel, formerly a corporate inventor and innovation trainer within P&G who created their Corporate Visioneering Team within the Emerging Technologies Group, is now an independent inventor and private consultant. Join us for ICC Vice-President Tom's highly visual, fun and interactive presentation that literally puts inventive tools in the palm of your hand. Taught at ESQ and universities, Tom's innovative technique will even have us inventing some fun stuff right on the spot!

February 2011:

Open innovation is a paradigm that assumes that firms (and inventors) can and should use external ideas as well as internal ideas, and internal and external paths to market. For inventors, this strategy provides a process that angel investors look for in funding start-ups. Richards will present this business model and discuss how it was used in both a $50 million venture and how a Springfield Ohio aerospace think tank utilizes it for technology transfer. For over 40 years, Bob Richards has provided business case strategies and commercialization methods to mid-tier companies in aerospace, manufacturing, and digital communications. He has owned a video production & animation company in Florida that provided support for such companies as Procter & Gamble, Harcourt Brace & Company, and Disney; just to name a few. Now semi-retired, Richards focuses on helping start-ups package their projects utilizing a stage-gate process that follows business case criteria. These processes are utilized in Open Innovation and the licensing of products and technology. He is active locally in STEM education reform and workforce development for manufacturing and technology industries. Richards is a board member of Drive, a Florida product development / communication company, and was past Director of Commercialization at Avetec.

January 2011:

 

As a faculty member of the Department of English at Miami University (Oxford, OH), much of Katherine Durack's scholarly research has dealt with intellectual property. She worked with the ICC several years ago on a program to introduce local inventions into a downtown retail outlet. A near-native New Mexican, Katherine has in recent years found her inspiration in the people, history, and settings of Cincinnati’s urban core. Her first book, Unmentionables: A Woman’s Journey, Body to Soul, speaks to how she moved through personal and professional crises and traveled from her childhood home in the southwest to create a new life in the mid-west. From the desert to the city, she makes her home amidst the “everyday extraordinary” that she finds in her neighbors and her surroundings, whether around the town, across the street, or just outside her windows. She shares her thoughts and observations—her Urban Dwellings—in 2- to 3-minute audio essays, broadcast periodically on Cincinnati Public Radio, WVXU 91.7 FM or pod cast on her web page at www.ktdurack.com.

 

December 2010:

 

US Air Force veteran and former NSA Senior Intelligence Analyst and Executive, Mark Reyland, Executive Director of the United Inventors Association,  has also applied many of his unique skills and experience to his work as a successful inventor! As a technology and consumer product developer, Mr. Reyland has invented many product innovations for both industry and consumers. Having founded nine companies since high school, Mark is currently the Founder and CEO of Obvious Ideas LLC, a Cincinnati based product development company specializing in consumer products for the retail trade as well as direct response. Don't miss your chance to hear the head of the oldest and largest non-profit inventor organization in the USA share all about the new programs being developed to help unite local clubs across the globe and offer much needed mentoring and guidance to independent inventors!

 

November 2010:

 

Lori Krafte is a Partner with Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P. Lori counsels clients in all areas of advertising and media law, privacy, trademarks, copyrights, domain name disputes and other internet law matters. She teaches Advertising Law and Trademark Law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she received the Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in 2008. Lori has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers In America in the field of advertising law, and was named by Ohio Super Lawyers as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Cincinnati in 2009 and 2010, and one of the top 50 women lawyers in Ohio in 2010. She is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and currently serves on the Board of Directors of AdClub Cincinnati. Don't miss our next meeting as Lori shares her incomparable Trademark expertise with us!

 

October 2010:

Moving From Ideas to Action! Peg will bring her signature "entrepreneurial success recipe" to our September session of the Inventor's Council. Peg is a returning presenter that is known for her interactive presentations. In other words, EVERYBODY counts so the more attendees, the better the program will be! Her goal through this presentation is to help us move our many ideas into action-one step at a time. Peg's entrepreneurial approach will include tips on utilizing community, personal accountability and practical, priceless process. Peggy Stookey is a passionate, driven entrepreneur. She is the founder of Legacy Connection, LLC, an entrepreneurial accelerator that she started in order to educate and support business owners. The goal of Legacy Connection is to lay the foundation for the sustainable success of their members. Peg has also created an entrepreneurial development program called Legacy ACCESSä. ACCESS stands for Accelerated Community Centered Entrepreneurial Success System and is the heart and soul of the program. This program is delivered in large group community meetings, small group facilitated sessions and individual coaching allowing members to customize their membership based on their needs and their finances.

 

August 2010:

 

The ICC will not have a meeting in August but will resume our regular meeting schedule on September 7th. We hope to see you then!

 

July 2010:

 

Jim Kipling is Of Counsel with Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P. Jim was Vice President Legal and Business Affairs for the Hasbro, Inc. Kenner Division for 20 years and subsequently has been in private practice for 10 years. He has negotiated master merchandising License Agreements resulting in cumulative product sales in excess of $5 Billion, with all major entertainment studios and other Licensors for such properties as both Star Wars trilogies, Marvel Universe, Disney Library, Dreamworks Animation Library, Batman, Jurassic Park, Care Bears, Pokemon, as well as establishing strategic relationships with all major professional sports leagues and players' associations, NASCAR, its driver teams and sponsors. Jim was responsible for all legal and intellectual property aspects of product, packaging and advertising development for the Hasbro/Kenner, with particular attention to patent, trademark, copyright and Children's Advertising issues. He also supervised the procurement, policing and enforcement of the Company's Intellectual Property rights, and all transactional and regulatory issues for the $650 Million Kenner Division. After completing his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at University of Cincinnati, his Juris Doctorate at Georgetown University Law Center and, simultaneously, the General Electric Patent Lawyer Development Program in Alexandria VA., Jim was a Patent Attorney with General Electric Co. for 3 years in the Company's Aircraft Engine Division, prior to joining Kenner and Hasbro. Throughout his 10 years of private practice, Jim has represented public and private companies as well as individuals, including manufacturers, publishers, and inventors in all of his areas of expertise. Making good use of his engineering background, he also handles inventorship transactions and technology transfers for a variety of clients.

 

June 2010:

 

Lori Krafte is a Partner with Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P. Lori counsels clients in all areas of advertising and media law, privacy, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes and other internet law matters. She teaches Advertising Law and Trademark Law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she received the Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in 2008. Lori has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers In America in the field of advertising law, and was named by Ohio Super Lawyers as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Cincinnati in 2009 and 2010, and one of the top 50 women lawyers in Ohio in 2010. She is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and currently serves on the Board of Directors of AdClub Cincinnati.

 

May 2010:

 

This month’s speaker is Elizabeth Edwards one of the principal “instigators’ behind Cincinnati Innovates, a regional innovation competition open to anyone who lives, works, plays, or is originally from the 15 county area of Greater Cincinnati.  The purpose of the competition is to find the best new products, businesses, and technologies in the region and connect them with resources that can help them take off.  Cincinnati Innovates will be awarding over $50,000 in awards from their sponsors to local inventors and entrepreneurs - five cash awards and three patent awards - so at least eight teams will receive a jumpstart for their projects.  Many of you will recall that many of our council members participated in last year’s competition and received nominations for awards. Elizabeth will be sharing all the details about this year’s upcoming competition as well as an update on last year’s winners.  Be sure to attend and get her insights on the importance of innovation today.  She’s committed to this competition because she firmly believes that the best innovations come from the most unexpected places. That’s why we’re doing this competition. Cincinnati Innovates is for anyone who has a great innovation and is ready to take it to the next level - whether that’s to market or to prototype.  They’re looking for professionals, students, academics, creatives, techies, and researchers from all industries and backgrounds.  This program is the brainchild of a bunch of venture capital investors and community leaders who want to create new opportunities for Cincinnati - whether that comes in the form of a cool new cleaning product or a device that stops global warming and cures cancer at the same time.

 

April 2010:

 

I've Got an Idea: Where Do I Go from Here? Panel Q&A with ICC Board of Directors Chuck Figer, Tom Hortel, David Lafkas, Jackie Diaz, Ken Bloemer & John Woodard.

 

You'll see that we haven't all just washed up on the beach - our experience; ranging from patent law to concept development, visioneering to television marketing can help you move forward positively and avoid common pitfalls. Don't miss your chance to pick the brains of some of the best in the business! This meeting will also be a great networking opportunity, not only with the Board but with your fellow inventors. For more informal time, plan to join us for dinner prior to the meeting at Hamburger Mary's (5:30 pm) or gather with us there afterwards, as well!

March 2010:

Roxanne Westendorf, Principal Engineer at Procter & Gamble's Product Research organization  connects consumers and technology. Roxanne has lent her expertise to the effort of creating laundry products for developing countries, new products development and the Glad product line  a joint venture. She has extensive experience with consumer research and understanding and is a trained facilitator.  Homebrewer and Master level beer judge, Roxanne is on the governing board of the American Homebrewers Association and President of the Cincinnati Georgia Tech Alumni Club. Don't miss the opportunity to meet this accomplished and interesting woman!

February 2010:

In addition to his responsibilities as Owner and Managing Director of Sigma, Foster Winter has conducted over 1000 focus groups and online sessions. Foster’s marketing research background spans over 35 years and has crossed a breadth of business categories, including automotive, healthcare, telecommunications, computer, consumer packaged goods, retail and advertising industries.  He has worked on a wide variety of project-types for such diverse clients as American Express, Gateway Computers, WebMD, and Volkswagen. Following his education at Wayne State University, he moved on to positions in sales and marketing for P & G, Dayton-Hudson/Marshall Field and Hallmark Cards. Prior to founding Sigma in 1981, Foster was VP and General Manager of WGTU Television, an ABC affiliate, in Traverse City, Michigan. Find out just how Concept Development meets Marketing Research from one of the very best in the business!

January 2010:

Our speaker for January is Emily Riley, Innovation Program Manager for the Wright Brothers Institute. Emily is a management consultant and innovation practitioner specializing in the development and implementation of business and technology platforms, product innovations, technical insights to solve problems, and strategic growth models rooted in Open Innovation approaches.  She is an accomplished technical innovator and leader of international cross-functional project teams driven to identify, assess, and prioritize breakthrough opportunities enabling Fortune 200, government, and non-government clients to realize new platform businesses and technologies, build significant growth, and/or solve tough technical challenges to that end. Emily has core capabilities across a wide range of functional domains including chemical, medical device, food and beverage, commodities, fiber and renewable resources, agriculture, polymer science, neurology, cognition, human performance, national security and educational reform. Her Specialties include building out and leveraging state-of-the-art knowledge, expert connections, and global networks as part of front-end innovation best practices. Thoughtful, focused, and deliberate leadership style with experience leading cross-functional project teams and complex, challenging research efforts. Creative, industrious, and resilient demeanor with an entrepreneurial spirit, Emily is not to be missed!

December 2009:

Due to a time constraint last month, we've asked ICC Vice President Tom Hortel to come back to resume his thought-provoking presentation. Tom was formerly a corporate inventor and innovation trainer within P&G who created their Corporate Visioneering Team within the Emerging Technologies Group.  He is now a private consultant and independent inventor and, therefore, has some rather unique viewpoints on the innovation process from both the perspective of a corporate as well as independent inventor. Tom will be sharing some segments from his upcoming workshop “Secrets of Creativity and Innovation.” Don't miss the Master of Innovation in action!

November 2009:

John Woodard, PhD; our newest member of the ICC Board of Directors, is a Registered Patent Agent who counsels clients on intellectual property matters and securing patent protection. John also consults on business and technology management, microelectronics, and specialty polymers. He has served in management and technical positions for businesses both large and small. A former Assistant Professor of Physics at St. Bonaventure University, the Inventor’s Council welcomes his expertise and is grateful to have him join us!

 

Tom Hortel, the ICC’s Vice President for the past 6 years, will also be sharing his expertise with us this month. Tom was formerly a corporate inventor and innovation trainer within P&G who created their Corporate Visioneering Team within the Emerging Technologies Group.  He is now a private consultant and independent inventor and, therefore, has some rather unique viewpoints on the innovation process from both the perspective of a corporate as well as independent inventor. Tom will be sharing some segments from his upcoming workshop “Secrets of Creativity and Innovation.”

October 2009:

Dan Marshall started in technology at an early age… writing a program to do his math homework in the 5^th grade!  He never knew at the time what a large role they would play in his life.  Entrepreneur, Business Consultant, Sales Professional, Graphic designer, E-Strategist, Motivator, Public Speaker, Professional Musician, Soccer Coach, Husband and father of 3 are only a few of the hats he wears.  Having been a member of the start-up teams for a number of businesses, including computer companies PC Upgrades and PC on Call, as well as being Director of Commercial Sales for 2 other technology companies, Dan is uniquely positioned to understand the importance of Computers in our lives.  In addition being involved with retail computer sales he has spoken to groups of all levels of knowledge of computers.  His unique simple approach to explaining High tech concepts have placed his presentations in high Demand.  Breaking technology down into simple terms he eliminates the fear and intimidating tech talk in a fun easy going manner.   You are sure to leave his class with a smile and a fist full of ideas on how computers can enhance your personal life, free up valuable time, and provide unlimited opportunity to better communicate, share, educate, research, and live.

September 2009: 

Are you stuck in neutral when it comes to getting your product out the garage door?  Has your carburetor lost its spark? Do your batteries need recharging? If so, you’re in luck - Michelle Dool, our speaker for September, is just the ticket you need to get your product out the door and into the fast lane! Michelle is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission and has inspired the most challenged among us to be the very best they can be. Prior to working for RSC Michelle received her BA in English and Psychology from Denison University, and a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from The University of Cincinnati. She has worked as a Certified Dependency Counselor at both public and private adolescent drug treatment facilities and is an experienced group leader focusing on recovery issues including: 12 Step programs, Relapse Prevention, Shame and Guilt, Rational Thinking and Feelings Identification and Management. In addition to group counseling Michelle has conducted individual and family therapy sessions. Michelle’s presentation is not to be missed!

August 2009 (No Meeting Held)

July 2009:

David is a registered patent and trademark attorney. Many of you already know him as Secretary on the ICC Board of Trustees. After graduating from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, one of the top undergraduate engineering universities in the United States, David received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He began his formal patent career with one of the premier boutique patent law firms in Washington, DC, where he had the opportunity to work directly with Fortune 500 companies as well as several well-known foreign businesses. In 2003, he returned to the Queen City to open a practice to make intellectual property protection accessible and to focus on the needs of entrepreneurs, independent inventors, and small to medium sized businesses. David will also share with us about Cincinnati Innovates, a competition that is open to anyone who has an innovation, idea, or invention and has a Greater Cincinnati connection. This competition is designed to showcase the technological, artistic, and ingenious innovations of all Cincinnatians - whether you are from Cincinnati originally or live or work in the Greater Cincinnati area now!

June 2009:

Our Guest Speaker for the June meeting is Ken Bloemer, Ph.D., Executive Director at Eureka Ranch International, Ltd. here in Cincinnati. In addition to his current position, Ken is an independent inventor who continues to learn from the school of hard knocks. He will help you understand the keys to success in crossing the valley of death from "I have a GREAT idea" to "getting to first sale". Ken will share his lessons learned from personal experience with his Baby Soother invention. Also, Ken will present the "Eureka! Religion" of inventing based on entrepreneurial guru Doug Hall's teachings. This will be an honest, straight from the heart, no holds barred dialogue. You can also expect a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT from Ken regarding a unique opportunity for anyone who is a current member of the Inventor's Council of Cincinnati or becomes one by July 4, 2009! Ken serves on our ICC Board of Trustees. As Executive Director of PLANET EUREKA! -- Ken's specific role is to re-engineer the process of technology transfer from universities, federal labs, companies and independent inventors worldwide - a process that in Ken's opinion is woefully broken. Planet Eureka! -- the next evolution in Technology Transfer -- is a division of Eureka! Ranch International LTD, (www.eurekaranch.com). The purpose of the Ranch is to use scientific methods to help business leaders find, filter and fast track innovations. Traditional Ranch clients are a "who's who" of Fortune 100 companies and now the Ranch is broadening its focus to include smaller companies who are much better at technology commercialization. Ken has a broad diversity of experience in Fortune 100 companies (Johnson & Johnson), business development and process improvement consulting (TechSolve), academia (University of Cincinnati), government (US Air Force) and his true passion - inventing (founder and managing partner of Bloemer, Meiser and Westerkamp, LLC). Ken holds Bachelor and Master degrees in Industrial Engineering from the University of Louisville (1980 & 1981) and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Cincinnati (1993).

May 2009:

 

At our monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 5, the Inventor's Council Board of Advisors will answer your questions and discuss the invention process in a panel format. Each of the Board participants has extensive experience and knowledge within their field. From patenting to innovation, prototype design to marketing, you can get your most burning questions answered. Past panel discussions have generated many questions and helped address a variety of issues from attendees. Even if you do not have any specific questions, you are guaranteed to learn a tremendous amount about the invention process, not to mention have fun with your fellow inventors!

April 2009:

FRANK BLACK, Founder and President, Black Machining & Technology, Inc. and Modus Verticraft, Inc. Many members have requested that we provide an ICC guest speaker on the topic of prototyping. Now is your chance to hear from one of the best! A quality prototype is critical to the success of your product invention. Learn how to find the right prototype company for your type of product, the questions to ask, and the information to provide, so that your prototype meets your expectations. Frank is an accomplished tool and die maker / prototyper with 40 years experience. Black built experimental helicopters and autogyros logging over 1,000 hours with no mishaps, thus gaining firsthand knowledge of a helicopter's complexity and inefficiency. This stimulated a 20-year research program, including the awarding of two (2) US patents for improved VTOL aircraft. During his tour of duty with the USAF, Frank was assigned to Udorn with special operations for rescuing downed pilots in North Vietnam; therefore gaining experience on Sikorsky HH-53's and was totally mesmerized with the helicopter. He earned a cash award through the Air Force Suggestion Program. After intensive study, he decided to build a torque-free autogyro. From those experiences and successes, he ultimately concluded that there was a practical compromise between rotary wing and fixed wing, thus designing his own system which unified both with absolutely simple design. Black is the inventor of the disk rotor and retractable rotor fan blade system known as Modus, which is currently under study by DARPA and Boeing. Black believes Modus will be the Holy Grail VTOL for the 21st century. This design satisfies the demand for safer, faster and more cost effective VTOL.

March 2009:

Wayne Fisher hangs his hat as Creativity Consultant and Innovation Facilitator at The GYM, a Corporate R&D Design Studio in West Chester.  Wayne says, "Strip away the jargon, and most new innovation methods build off the same fundamental principles that have driven successful product launches for the past 50 years. Likewise, most new product failures can be traced back to a failure to adhere to one or more of these fundamentals." This highly interactive presentation will demonstrate three fundamentals of effective product innovation. We will also explore your personal innovation style, and how you might strengthen your innovation toolbox. Don’t miss out on Wayne’s valuable insight!

February 2009:  Meeting canceled due to extreme weather advisory.

January 2009:

 

Don’t miss our next speaker - Suzi Frye, founder, professional high-impact coach & trainer of The WOW! Factor and find out how to WOW'em in 2009! Learn how you can align your thinking and behavior to achieve your goals. Suzi can light a fire under you and help you get the ball rolling toward reaching those key milestones in your life. In these challenging times, a good dose of inspiration from a motivational pro like Suzi might be just what you need to get the NEW YEAR off to a great start! Suzi gained her professional coaching certification through The Path Coaching Certification Program with Laurie Beth Jones, Inc., and is a licensed trainer in The Path, The PEP (Path Elements Profile), Path4Teens and Path4Kids. Suzi belongs to the local and national chapters of International Coach Federation (ICF), American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), and Organization Development Network (ODN). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University, and her personal, professional mission is to "Create passion, life and joy!"

 

December 2008:

November 2008:

 

Intelligrated, Inc. is a supplier of integrated material handling systems that provide logistics solutions throughout the supply chain with services and products primarily serving the warehousing and distribution sector. Our speaker, Brian Resnick, has eight U.S. patents. He is the Chair of the Cincinnati Section of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Previously, he was professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati, president of the software consulting firm Algorithmic Technologies, Inc., vice president of engineering for Factory Automation Systems Corp., supervisor of research and development for the Robot Division of Cincinnati Milacron, and software development engineer at Xerox. Brian will be discussing his experiences with teaching innovation at the University of Cincinnati.

 

October 2008:

 

Keith Burtoft, President of Markers & Mice, is a technical illustrator and consultant who works in the areas of strategy, planning, and communication mostly for commercial clients. He is skilled at translating verbal concepts and schematics into realistic visualizations of new products in the field.  He is also a skilled graphic designer who provides services to clients to help then make their strategic ideas more clear, visual and compelling. Join Keith with our own Vice-President Tom Hortel for a fun, interesting and informative lesson in Vusualization – an event not to be missed!

 

September 2008:

 

New product and business development...just how do the BIG GUYS do it? We know you've always wondered! CHARLIE FISHER is your answer man! NOW you can get your questions answered by someone in the know...an expert who works within one of P&G's legendary innovation and development units. P&G's FutureWorks is the corporate entrepreneurial unit within Procter & Gamble charged with developing new to P&G product and service businesses which have the potential to transform consumer lives. FutureWorks is part of P&G's Connect + Develop. Charlie has been with P&G over 30 years, with the first 14 in the Cellulose and Specialties Division, in Technology Management and Process and Product Development. Since moving to Cincinnati in 1992, Charlie worked in Global Reliability Leadership, Innovation Methodologies, TRIZ (the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) , and Invention on Demand. Charlie put the invention theme into action with numerous device based projects including home robotics, and moved to P&G FutureWorks in May 2003.

 

August 2008:

 

Starting or building a business? You don't have to go it alone! Find out how you can leverage your networking efforts by incorporating "intentional" and "focused" techniques into your networking approach! PEG STOOKEY, FOUNDER OF LEGACY CONNECTION, LLC will provide insight on how this is done. Peg will be joined by SUSAN HARRINGTON of HARRINGTON PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTER who will discuss the product development process. The company's principal business is the design & execution of plastic product development for all types of industries. It has developed unique processes that can achieve very high quality and quick turn-around for rapid and conventional prototypes.

 

July 2008:

 

Prepare to get energized and educated. Take it all in, and hold on tight. Bob is a dynamic, diverse, multi-talented personality and a true entrepreneurial spirit. Listening to Bob is like drinking from a fire hose! Over the years he's been heavily into graphic design, TV commercials, product development, business consulting, alternate education systems for children, and most recently 3-D virtual cave environments using supercomputers that allow you to walk around inside a running jet engine using real-time data to check it for maintenance issues, fuel turbulence, metal fatigue, combustion efficiency, etc. That system is projected to save the US Air Force and the airlines BILLIONS of dollars in their maintenance budgets each year. Someday pilots will be able to don 3-D goggles to check on their engines WHILE IN FLIGHT!!

 

June 2008:

 

Come out to SHARPEN YOUR MANAGEMENT SKILLS SET. Find out how to use proven business tools to help analyze your market and potential opportunities. Learn from an expert management consultant how to implement innovation and capitalize on a great idea! Mark Bruemmer of NetMotifs, Inc. and President of Mark Bruemmer, Inc., has strong leadership experience in business strategy, management consulting, project management, team leadership, computer systems architecture, and communications and program development.

 

May 2008:

 

Our featured speaker, Patrick McFalls, Vice President of Industrial Services at Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, will discuss how to effectively leverage intellectual property to launch and distribute your inventions right here in our own hometown. With over 30 years experience in the machine tool, aerospace and defense industries, Patrick has been an executive in companies ranging in size from $2 million to $13 billion. His experience includes the design, prototyping and production of over 2,400 new products ranging from medical instruments to the boring equipment for the Chunnel. His background also includes working with and for over 24 startup companies. Patrick's presentation, with Kevin Bruns, Founder and CEO of Race Cooler and holder of several patents and trademarks, will cover the development of Kevin’s product from original inquiry to completion of over 3,000 units. It will include the establishment of the five ingredients for success, the development of an AS-IS TO-BE model, creation of executive and detailed business plans, the inherent trials and tribulations, cause and correction actions, lessons learned and design and redesign. Kevin’s brainchild has not only made a big impact with NASCAR but, with the help of Patrick and Goodwill’s pit crew, has made recycled racing tires into some highly useful and collectible beverage coolers!

 

 

April 2008:

 

Don’t miss out next meeting! Our very own Vice-President, Tom Hortel, will present New Methods of Inventive Problem Solving. Tom never fails to inspire, educate, amuse and surprise us. He is an inventor, artist, craftsman, author, humorist and cartoonist with 30 years experience in upstream technologies, new product development and inventive problem solving. Tom spent 23 years at Procter &Gamble across a variety of creative assignments such as Corporate Visioneering, Systematic Innovation Systems, Consumer Understanding, New Business Development, Creative Problem Solving Coach/Trainer and Upstream Packaging design.

March 2008:

Come to our March 4th Meeting and find out how to succeed consistently through Customer-Driven Innovation. Listen and learn as Steve Schwandner , President of SeeIdeas, Inc., dissects and explains the heart of Customer-Driven Innovation ...CUSTOMER RESEARCH! Discover the benefits of Customer Research and how to apply the process of Customer-Driven Innovation to your products and business so that you can develop and bring your products/services to market, better, faster, and cheaper than your competitors.

February 2008:

Join us for our next exciting monthly meeting, Tuesday, February 5. Our speaker, Debbie Heuer, founder of Talent Springs LLC, with over 20 years of experience improving individual and organizational performance, will present Dreams to Visions: Leading Inventions to Life. Do you have a dream or a vision? Transforming ideas to innovations requires leadership skills to influence a series of decision makers. This interactive session will allow you to reflect on your role as the leader of your invention. Come prepared for conversation and contemplation of key leadership skills that can help you to bring your invention to life.

January 2008:

Join us for our monthly meeting, Tuesday, January 8. Get in on the "BUZZ" as Amy Hatton, Vice President, Research & Analytics of Nielsen Online, presents an overview of how Consumer-Generated Media (CGM) is shifting the power from traditional markets to internet- savvy consumers. Find out about the opportunities and challenges of CGM, and how it can impact your products and business. Learn how to generate some "BUZZ" without getting stung! Amy brings more than a decade of experience to her role at Nielsen Online, which tracks and analyzes consumer-generated media, or online consumer "buzz," about companies, brands and services. Amy began her career with ACNielsen BASES. From BASES, she joined LexisNexis and managed the client-focused Global Market Research program. After completing an MBA program at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Amy joined Nielsen Online (formerly Intelliseek) in 2005, managing key client relationships with Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries.

December 2007:

Join us for our monthly meeting, Tuesday, December 4. Paul Cashen of Focal Point Coaching will present two programs: "The Power of Goals" and "The Three Eyes of the Entrepreneur." Paul not only has experience in growing small operations into large profitable ventures, he is also a proven entrepreneur. As CEO of PC on Call, he increased the business from a 1-man start-up to a 7-city operation doing $15 million in revenue. He's also personally responsible for six new start-up businesses. He shares this expertise in his two presentations. "The Power of Goals" will help you achieve the success you envision through powerful goal setting techniques Paul has used himself in his various ventures. "The Three Eyes of the Entrepreneur" looks at some simple keys to success in business for the entrepreneur and how entrepreneurs need to view their business to achieve results.

 

November 2007:

Join us for our monthly meeting, Tuesday, November 6. Kelly Berkemeier, Director of Operations for ISOCNET, will present The Missing Link: Using the Internet to Achieve Success. As Director, Kelly oversees the projects and processes of the sales department, design and development teams, and technical support group. She partners with her clients to improve their business and productivity by enhancing their web sites and software technologies. As a member of the Continuous Improvement Team, she collaborates with other ISOCNET managers and executives to evaluate the company's initiatives and to set the pace for the future direction of the company. Her presentation will focus on how you can use the Internet at every step to increase your chance of success. She will touch on aspects from how to best use the Internet to research, get patents, intellectual properties; to inventing using the Internet; to how to use it to sell and market the newly invented products/services. She'll include a number of success stories to show how others have used these tips to generate their own success.

October 2007:

Join us for our monthly meeting, Tuesday, October 2. Julie Bauke, president of Congruity Career Consulting, joins us to present "Networking 101: Building Collaborative Relationships."

Effective networking and strong relationships are one of the cornerstones of being a successful independent inventor. Yet, these are two of the hardest areas to master. You will learn:

• What people look for at a networking event
• How you can get noticed from among the crowd
• How to move your initial relationship to the next step
• How to keep a collaborative relationship strong

Networking and relationship building are skills that constantly need to be refined and reviewed. If you intend to be serious in the invention industry, do not miss this valuable presentation.

September 2007:

Join us for our monthly meeting, Tuesday, September 4. The Inventor's Council Board of Trustees, plus three guests, will answer questions and discuss the invention process in a panel format. Andrea Brady, President; Tom Hortel, Vice President; David Lafkas, Secretary; Jackie Diaz, Treasurer; and Mayro Kanning, Board Member; will participate from the Board (unfortunately, Board Member Jean-Paul Matter, MD, will be in Europe on business). In addition, Chuck Figer, Patent Attorney with Wood Herron Evans; Ken Bloemer, President of Eureka Ranch's new program for inventors; and Marianne Buttner, inventor of CreativeCoverlets; will also join in. Each of these participants has extensive experience and knowledge within their field. From patenting to innovation, prototype design to marketing, you can get your most burning questions answered. Past panel discussions have generated many questions and helped address a variety of issues from attendees. Even if you do not have any specific questions, you are guaranteed to learn a tremendous amount about the invention process, not to mention have fun with your fellow inventors!

August 2007:

Holly D. Kozlowski is a partner in the Intellectual Property Group of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1980 from Bucknell University and a Juris Doctor in 1984 from The George Mason University School of Law.  Ms. Kozlowski practices in all areas of intellectual property law, including patent, trademark and copyright protection and enforcement.  The majority of her practice is in the patent protection, enforcement and counseling areas, particularly in the chemical, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical and biotechnology areas.  Ms. Kozlowski has extensive experience in such matters both in the U.S. and in many foreign countries, working through foreign patent agents, for large corporations, small companies and independent inventors.  Ms. Kozlowski's presentation will provide information regarding patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection that every inventor and author should know to protect their inventions and works and to provide a strong business position. 

July 2007:

Join us for our May monthly meeting, Tuesday, July 10. Michael Fruhling, Founder & President of BFS Innovations, Inc., will discuss innovation outsourcing and how his company can help your product reach the licensing partners you need to succeed. BFS Innovations, Inc. is a leader in the field of innovation outsourcing. They seek out and identify compelling, patented performance products and technologies. They then apply these to create attractive, consumer-based new business opportunities. They then utilize their expert resource network to enable clients to quickly and cost-effectively commercialize their product opportunities. BFS Innovations Inc. creates value for its business partners by providing Innovation Outsourcing Solutions via Technology Brokerage Services and Commercialization Services. Their solutions are flexible to address your individual needs. If you have a unique technology or business opportunity, call or write them to schedule a no-pressure, no-obligation exploratory discussion.

June 2007:

Edison Material Technology Center (EMTEC) will be joining us to discuss how EMTEC can help move your product forward at various stages of development. Jayne is Manager of Commercialization and works with firms that are wanting to work with the US Air Force, US ARMY, US NAVY, US EPA, US Dept of Homeland Security and the NIH, as well as Third Frontier submissions. Chris is the new Director for the Manufacturing Technology Small Business Development Center. His role is to help facilitate business training, marketing assistance, profitability review, financing and new product development. Candice joined EMTEC in 2007 as a Procurement Counselor for the Greater Cincinnati region in the Procurement Technical Assistance Center operations. She serves as a conduit to assist small businesses in selling their products and professional services to federal, state and local government entities across the United States.

May 2007:

Join us for our May monthly meeting, Tuesday, May 1, where Morris Technologies will discuss how the latest technology in prototyping can help take your invention to the next step. Morris Technologies, Inc. (MTI) have been delivering Quality, Innovation and Value since 1994. Strategically located in Cincinnati, OH, MTI is capable of responding rapidly to client requests, offering a broad range of product development services that include:

• Engineering and Design
• Rapid Prototyping
• Highly advanced CNC Machining
• Rapid Tooling and Injection Molding
• Urethane Reproductions

MTI is one of the first suppliers in this region to offer such leading-edge technologies as Direct Metal Laser Sintering to create solid metal prototypes that don't just look represent a 3-D part but actually use the world's most advanced super alloys to create fully functional metal parts. MTI consistently invests heavily in the most talented professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, leading-edge technologies and integrated systems to maintain a leadership position within the industries they serve. Their mission is to become the most innovative, comprehensive, collaborative, and respected product development company in North America.

 

April 2007:

 

Craig Steffen is President of Paraclete Consulting, Inc. of Spring Valley, Ohio.  Prior to founding Paraclete Consulting, Inc., Craig spent 18 years leading Marketing teams for three different companies in the Environmental and Bio-Medical industries. In 2000, Craig took his Masters Degree and years of experience and began helping inventors bring their products from concept to commercialization.  Having negotiated licensing and strategic alliance deals on behalf of his previous employers, Craig is uniquely qualified to understand licensing from both sides of the negotiation table.

When he is not helping clients with licensing, strategic marketing and grant proposal writing, Craig serves as a columnist for the Dayton Business Journal, an Adjunct Professor for Indiana Wesleyan University, A Board Chairman for Good Works, Inc, an Elder and House Church leader for Apex Community Church, an outfielder for the Dayton Ducks amateur baseball team, and a husband to Cindy for 23 years. Plan to join us April 3rd!

 

March 2007:

 

Most inventors know at least a little bit about patents - getting a patent is one of the key ways to protect the intellectual property your invention represents. However, how much do you know about other categories in the IP arena - copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets? And do you know enough of what you need about non-disclosure agreements, inventor notebooks and licensing? If not, join us at our February 6 monthly meeting where John Schlipp, Assistant Professor of Library Services and Extended Collections Services Librarian at Steely Library, Northern Kentucky University, will discuss these topics. John is responsible for the copyright compliance of NKU's interlibrary loan and faculty electronic reserves. He consults with faculty and students about basic copyright procedures related to academe. Previously, John was Patent & Trademark Librarian at the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County.

 

February 2007:

 

The Library closed early the evening of our scheduled February meeting due to bad weather so our meeting was cancelled. We're very pleased that our speaker, John Schlipp, is available and has graciously agreed to present his program, Intellectualopoly, at our next meeting..

 

January 2007:

 

America’s #1 Idea Guru (According to Inc. Magazine, A&E Top 10 and CIO Magazine), Doug began his inventing career at age 12, inventing and selling a line of magic and juggling kits. After earning a chemical engineering degree from the University of Maine, he joined Procter & Gamble where he rose to the rank of Master Marketing Inventor - inventing and shipping a record 9 innovations in 12 months.

Doug is the founder and CEO of the Eureka! Ranch located in Cincinnati with offices in London, UK and Monterrey, Mexico. The Ranch is an “invention & research think tank” that specializes in igniting bold thinking on new products and services for corporate clients such as American Express, Ford, Nike and Walt Disney.

CBC-TV called Doug a “Business Robinhood – he takes the wisdom of the big companies and gives it to the little ones.” Doug donates millions of dollars of his time, talent and money to help entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. He’s one of the country’s top speakers on innovation and is the author of four books on creativity and courage. His book Jump Start Your Business Brain was a #1 national best seller and named to the prestigious Independent Bookseller’s Book Sense 76® list of America’s greatest books. He’s also a columnist for Business Week SmallBiz, hosts the Jump Start Your Brain daily advice feature on 400+ radio stations and co-hosts Brain Brew Radio, distributed by PRI, where he helps “American Dreamers & Doers win more, lose less and make more money.” He's also the "Truth Teller" judge on ABC's Primetime television show American Inventor.

December 2006:

John Reuter, a Partner at Rippe & Kingston Systems, Inc. (R&K), has a solution. R&K has been working with 1Sync (formerly UCCnet) since 2003. R&K and 1Sync offer a cost effective, hosted and managed data synchronization solution to help suppliers meet compliancy requirements with large retailers quickly and cost effectively. Their offering is an ideal solution for small suppliers who have a limited amount of product data to synchronize with their retail trading partners. Retailers that participate in data synchronization include Lowes, Wal-Mart, Home-Depot, SUPERVALU, AAFES, Albertsons, Target, and Wegmans, to name a few.

John has 25 years' experience in Information Technology with experience in Network Systems Engineering and Software Design & Development. He has been published in NEWS400, a national technical magazine, and he frequently speaks at business partner conferences on Internet technology including 1SYNC and R&K’s e.ssential Portal Manager and Contract Management solutions.

November 2006:

 

Pat Longo, Director of Hamilton County Business Center, will be discussing support options available in Cincinnati for inventors and entrepreneurs who are interested in starting their own business.

Since 1997, Pat has aided in the creation, development, and growth of over 130 entrepreneurial entities. Through one on one counseling, client-influenced seminar series, and a strong entrepreneurial environment, HCBC has seen its clients prosper. HCBC works closely with other economic development oriented entities in Greater Cincinnati to enhance small business creation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization. HCBC is seen locally and regionally as a facilitator for early stage entrepreneurs who are seeking the resources necessary to succeed in the competitive world of business.

 

 

October 2006:

 

Prior to launching his own company, Entrepreneur Sales & Marketing, Bill McHenry enjoyed a Fortune 500 career with Carnation, 3M, North American Phillips and Brachs Confections. Today his company provides entrepreneurs and inventors with a competitive edge in new product sales and marketing. He's helped develop household brands such as Securitas, SafeSuit and Bathables and was kind enough to travel from Chicago just to share his knowledge with the Council!

 

September 2006:

 

The Invention Process: Discussion with ICC Board of Directors Andrea Brady, Tom Hortel, Jackie Diaz, David Lafkas, and Mayro Kanning

 

You'll see that we haven't all just washed up on the beach - our experiences can help you move forward positively and avoid common pitfalls. This meeting will also be a great networking opportunity, not only with the Board but with your fellow inventors. For more informal time, plan to join us for dinner prior to the meeting (reserve at inventorscouncil@inventcinci.org) or at Universal Grille after the meeting.

 

August 2006:

 

Please join us for our monthly meeting Tuesday, August 1, 7-8: 45 pm at the downtown Public Library, 3rd Floor. Our speaker, Dov Rosenberg with Blue Chip Venture Capital, will discuss the venture capital process in general, and more specifically, how venture capitalists value companies in which they plan to invest. This talk will be a great follow-up to our June discussion of how to present to a venture capitalist.

 

Dov joined Blue Chip in 2005 with a background in early stage technology commercialization. His previous experience included management of engineering, research & development, and new product development at The Auld Company, and as Senior Strategist in the Intellectual Property Strategy and Development group at Battelle Memorial Institute.

Dov's experience in the VC industry combined with his work with emerging technology will provide an interesting "insider's look" at the venture industry.

July 2006:

Lesser Known - But Just as Important - Patent Issues:  Patenting is one of the most technical and confusing aspects of the product invention process. There are so many laws, most of which are not intuitive, that the average person (i.e., non- patent professional) can find himself lost - and losing his patent rights - before he's even begun to navigate the process.

Luckily, the Inventor's Council of Cincinnati Board of Directors has David Lafkas of Lafkas Patent LLC on our side. David established Lafkas Patent with a single principle in mind - to make intellectual property protection accessible to all. Lafkas Patent works to ensure that you understand the process, that your questions are answered and, most importantly, that your intellectual property is protected.

On July 11, David shared his expertise with the group, focusing on patent topics that are not generally addressed but which are just as important as the basics. Things like:

* Inventorship: when do you own a product; when is someone else required to be named on your patent; what does that do to patent ownership

* Estoppel: protecting your patent rights or EVERYONE will trampel on them

* Who Can Help Me: why do I need a patent attorney? Why can't my business attorney help me?

* Patenting Timelines: why does it take so long at the patent office?

* Patent Office Changes: what's happening and how does it affect me?

* Foreign Patent Rights: how does this work???

* Commercialization: is it necessary to commercialize my patent?

David's presentation will be a good "insider's" view of the patent process, and give us all a better idea of some of these lesser-known topics. Hope to see you there!

June 2006:

If you're looking for an investor to help you take your invention to the next stage, then you need to know what investors are looking for! Doug has represented investors and companies receiving investments for almost 20 years. He will discuss the different types of investors, what they focus on, and how much they're typically willing to invest. Don't miss this important meeting of interest to all inventors and entrepreneurs.

May 2006:

An accomplished sales trainer, Karen will provide us with a window on the world of professional salesmanship. She serves greater Cincinnati employers Cort Furniture Rental, The Diamond Match Company, Loth Inc. and  EMI Network as well as several Fortune 500 companies.   Karen is involved in local business and civic organizations such as the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, Dress For Success as well as with the International Facilities Managers Association, an international professional association.   She's been in sales and sales leadership since graduating from Miami University, Oxford, OH in 1983. 

April 2006:

As an inventor, U. S. patent law permits you to file a patent on your invention yourself, but as anyone who has read a patent knows, these important documents can be incredibly difficult to understand and interpret. Dr. Katherine Durack tells us why at our next meeting on on Tuesday, April 4.
Drawing on interviews with inventors and patent professionals as well as research on patent lawsuits, Dr. Katherine Durack of Miami University will talk about “Why Patents Are Hard to Read and Write.”
Dr. Durack is neither a patent agent nor attorney, but rather a writer, scholar, and teacher who loves language and admires technical ingenuity. She has been interested in patents since she discovered a patented instruction sheet (US1313496) and has written numerous articles about patent documents and language. 

March 2006:

Drew McLandrich of McLandrich Consulting will be telling the story of HeaterMeals, self-heating meals that provide a "hot meal anytime, anyplace." Drew was a principal with Selling Services, a marketing, advertising and customer-service consultancy when approached by Zesto-Therm to help develop HeaterMeals. He will share the story of how this unique product came to market, the challenges & opportunities they faced, and the ultimate sale of the company.

February 2006:

This will be a special presentation of the Public Library's popular "From Dreams To Dollars," an overview of the invention process from concept to commercialization. If you'd like to get an idea of what the invention business is all about, this is the meeting to attend. Librarian John Schlipp will examine product evaluation, marketing research, licensing basics, and organizations helpful in the invention process. John will be joined by Jackie Diaz, Council Treasurer, and Andrea Brady, Council President, who will provide real-life examples and scenarios.

January 2006:

Author, idea engineer, corporate anarchist and founder of Marco Polo Explorers — Marco Marsan was named one of America's top Out- of-the-Box thinkers by the Mazda Corporation. Marco and his Explorers have helped create a long list of remarkably successful new products for some of the biggest and smartest companies in the world. Now he's joining the Inventor's Council to share his thoughts & stories of how he has learned to think in a whole new box — and show us how we can do the same.

December 2005:

Join us at our monthly meeting, Tuesday December 6, 2005. Frank Grande, president & CEO and Werner Hildebrand, vice president of marketing from Literature Fulfillment Services, will join us to describe how their fulfillment, direct mail, direct marketing and data processing services can support entrepreneurs in getting their products to market efficiently. LFS has helped sole proprietors and inventors bring their products to market by providing support and infrastructure not usually available to a small company. They can help in managing and fulfilling orders; developing and fulfulling direct contact campaigns; and providing tools and strategies to meet your marketing and sales objectives. Frank is a co-founder of LFS and has served as president since February 2002. He has a background in finance and quality control. In his 3 years with the company, Werner has helped evolve the client service department. His background is in marketing, advertising and graphic design.

November 2005

Jennifer C. Wolfe, Esq & APR., the Council's own Counsel, is the speaker for our November 1 meeting. Ms. Wolfe is the President & CEO of The Wolfe Practice, a law firm she founded in 2000. It is now the largest solely woman owned law firm in the state of Ohio. Jennifer formed her practice to build a firm with a focus on serving the needs of entrepreneurs and business owners with a holistic and problem solving approach. She is the President Elect of The Board of Trustees of The Greater Cincinnati Venture Association, where she works actively with venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and service providers to foster entrepreneurial growth in the Cincinnati region. The topic for the meeting will be Legal Strategies to Start & Grow Your Business with an emphasis on how to structure your business, how to build partnership arrangements, franchising, licensing and a practical approach to intellectual property.Ms. Wolfe completed her law degree and masters degree in organizational communication and management at the University of Cincinnati.

October 2005

Join us at our monthly meeting, October 4, 2005. Steve Byrnes, president of J&M Marketing, will explain how manufacturer's reps work with stores to place branded and private label products.

Steve has worked with J&M since 1990 and served as president since 1994. He is a member of the Private Label Manufacturers Association and the Cincinnati Grocery Manufacturers Representatives Assocation. He has also worked as a sales rep and regional manager for the McGaw Division of Colgate Palmolive Corporation.

He will answer questions such as: what is a manufacturer's rep's role with stores; what is key to placing a product with a retailer; how do private label products get placed; and how do you find a manufacturer's rep in your industry. If you are considering distributing your product yourself, be sure to attend this meeting!

As always, the meeting will be held at the downtown Public Library, 9th & Vine Streets, 3rd Floor, from 7-8:45 pm. We will have dinner at Hamburger Mary's beforehand (RSVP to inventorscouncil@inventcinci.org) and also adjourn to Mary's after the meeting for continued networking & discussion.

September 2005

Erie Plastics is a custom injection molder of plastic packaging. They provide quality, customer responsiveness, and innovation at competitive prices. They specialize in the design, development, and manufacture of rigid plastic packaging components which are high volume, require sophisticated automation to integrate secondary operations, are value added, and quality driven in nature.