3 Tips for Using Trade Shows to License Your Product Idea

In this episode, Stephen Key shares invaluable tips for inventors looking to license their product ideas by attending trade shows.

Stephen Key explains why purchasing a booth isn’t necessary and highlights the advantages of working the trade show floor to connect directly with decision-makers, bypassing traditional gatekeepers.

He emphasizes the importance of preparation, including researching the right trade show, dressing comfortably, and having a plan of action.

Whether you're a seasoned inventor or just getting started, Stephen’s advice will help you maximize your chances of success at trade shows.

Earn money from your ideas with the help of inventRight. We help you license your ideas, inventions, and products for passive income.

New to the licensing business model? Educate yourself first.

*About Stephen Key, inventRight Cofounder*

Stephen Key is an award-winning inventor, renowned intellectual property strategist, lifelong entrepreneur, author, speaker, and columnist. He has over 20 patents in his name. The dozens of concepts he has brought to market have retailed in Walmart, 7-Eleven, and Disney stores and parks worldwide and been endorsed by Michael Jordan, Alex, Trebek, and Taylor Swift. He has defended his patents in federal court against the largest toy company in the world, Lego.

In 1999 he cofounded inventRight with inventor Andrew Krauss to teach others his unique process of harnessing the power of open innovation in the licensing business model. His best-selling book about how to license an idea, One Simple Idea by McGraw-Hill, has been translated into six languages.

He has spoken at Stanford University, Florida State University, the University of Michigan, UC Merced, the USPTO, World IP Forum, University of the Pacific, Cal State Fullerton, Washington University in St. Louis, the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, the Economic Development Agency for Northern Ireland, and many more.

He has written five books related to product licensing and intellectual property and is a longtime contributor to Forbes and Inc.

From 2018-2019, he was honored to serve as an American Association for the Advancement of Science-Lemelson Invention Ambassador.

In 2021, Mojo Nation named him as one of the 100 most influential people working in the toy and game industry.

In 2022, World IP Forum named him a “Most Influential and Inspiring Leader Of All Time.”

*About Andrew Krauss, inventRight Cofounder*

Andrew Krauss is an expert on licensing products ideas for passive income. He has been helping creative people bring their concepts to market with less risk and more success for 25 years as a cofounder of inventRight.

During his tenure as president, he grew the Bay Area Inventors’ Alliance group into one of the most active and well-established inventor associations in the country. In addition to advising the White House on innovation, he has been featured as a speaker at USPTO conferences and on NPR’s Science Friday.

*About inventRightTV*

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[offshoremediasolutions]

good info as always! Love your enthusiasm Stephen

[jamieazoulay]

I think there should be a 4th tip. That is calling the companies before you go to the trade show and meet with them there. They can give you the time of day since you already arranged a Great stuff Stephen, great tips for helping out inventors. It would have been great to meet you at the Chicago trade show.

[patriciaAmurray]

I SO want to "work" the Chicago Toy Fair later this year. Saving up my pennies. ...

[finallyproductscorp.]

I like the advil part. Probably because you'll have a hang over.

[kamkaml]

I need more help I have innovation summit coming up not sure if I can do it.

[paulportman]

What is your impression of the Licensing Expo put on by LIMA?

[dnchiqui]

Hi, I'm going to a trades how, should my business card say that I'm the owner of the company or a product developer; or both?

[leeroycastillo]

Hi Steven, im a few days away from from purchasing the invent right course and am super excited to start the process of licensing with u Andrew and my 1 on 1 coach. I was wondering how long after i pay the membership few for a year can i speak directly with yourself?

[jstatic]

Hey steve, is there's a sites where you can find out about those trade shows?

[roberttaylor]

Stephen couldn't be any further from the truth when he says don't get the booth. Most of the trade shows I have went none of the CEO's, senior staff, managers were at the booth. Typically it tends to be sales people demoing the product and its benefits. Yes in some cases it might be true that they may be there (usually the smaller companies) but having a booth obviously has its advantages as you never know who may turn up at your booth at any time during the show however as a visitor you won't necessarily know every person who has come for the show and some only arrive for a short period.