Marketplace of Ideas - Marketplace Invention Contest

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Marketplace Invention Contest

Exhibiting and presenting at the Marketplace Invention Showcase and Contest gives independent inventors a unique opportunity to gain EXPOSURE for their new idea/innovation. Inventors may test market their new ideas by conducting surveys, holding drawings, listening to feedback from the general public and interacting with a variety of professional consultants.

HUNDREDS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES!

Marketplace of Ideas and the Northern Plains Inventors Congress will be scheduling many educational opportunities. Complete details will be shared as they become available. A separate registration will be required for all classes. REGISTRATION INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Click here to view program information for Stephen Key and the 2010 Northern Plains Inventors Congress.

SHOWCASE & CONTEST INFORMATION

All entrants must submit a fully completed entry kit postmarked by September 15, 2010.
1. 2010 Official Contest Entry Form #1
2. 2010 Exhibit Agreement Form #2
3. Entry Fee Paid in Full
4. Only one invention per person will be accepted. Inventors whose product, prototype, or mockup is smaller than 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. will set their invention up in a judging room. For those with larger invention, the inventor will report to a separate area for judging.
5. Time and location for the presentations will be given to each inventor before their arrival.
6. Each inventor will have up to 5 minutes to present their invention.
7. Any contestant not present at the predetermined time and place for judging will be disqualified from the contest.

The contest will be held on September 27, 2010, and possibly on September 28, 2010. Entrants are also required to showcase at Marketplace of Ideas on September 28, 2010. Inventors must be present at the September 29, 2010, awards ceremony.

PRIZES

Grand Prize:	$1,500.00
Second Place:	$750.00
Third Place:	$500.00
Special Awards:	Innovation in Agriculture ~ $100.00 Innovation in Energy ~ $100.00 Innovation in Technology $100.00
*Youth Innovator Age 14-18*
First Place:	$250.00
Second Place:	$150.00
Third Place:	$100.00
Special Awards:	Innovation in Agriculture ~ $50.00 Innovation in Energy ~ $50.00 Innovation in Technology $50.00
*Youth Innovator Age 13 and Under*
First Place:	$250.00
Second Place:	$150.00
Third Place:	$100.00
Special Awards:	Innovation in Agriculture ~ $50.00 Innovation in Energy ~ $50.00 Innovation in Technology $50.00

Winners in the Special Award categories are also eligible to win in the overall categories.

Note: Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

Prizes will be paid to all winners no later than October 31, 2010 (unless stated otherwise at the time of the contest). Entering the Marketplace Invention Showcase and contest does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should talk to a patent attorney before making any public disclosure of your invention.

REGISTRATION

All exhibitors must be approved by Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. or their duly appointed designee(s). Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. reserves the right to refuse any or all applicants/exhibits for exhibit areas, speakers, product sales of provision of information.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Early Bird Registration	$135.00 (Postmarked and paid by September 7, 2010)
Registration	$185.00 (Postmarked and paid after September 7, 2010)

Youth inventors will have their registration fee paid by an anonymous sponsor. Please complete the registration forms and submit them to the Marketplace office.

Exhibit Add-ons:

Additional 10 ft. X 10 ft. Exhibit Space $95.00

Invention Exhibit Area

Unless noted, your exhibit space includes a 10 ft. X 10 ft. draped area on the exhibit floor, one sign with the name of your invention entered in the competition, one 8 ft. table and two chairs. If you select outdoor exhibit space, you will have one exhibit space indoors in the Inventors Area, as well as one outdoor space to display your product. Please note: 110 electricity is available indoors only, and must be ordered in advance.

Additional services will be provided by the FargoDome and Fargo Rent-All, and may require additional fees.

SELLING FROM YOUR BOOTH

You can sell your products from your booth. To sell products from your booth you must pre-register, agree to the requirements and complete the paperwork as required by the State of North Dakota prior to the show. North Dakota state law requires that Marketplace collect and submit your Sales Tax ID number to the Office of State Tax Commissioner. Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting and paying sales tax according to North Dakota law. All exhibitors are prohibited from selling promotional materials (t-shirts, hats, cups, etc.).

All registration fees can be paid by check, money order, or VISA/MasterCard.

CANCELLATIONS

Only cancellations made by August 31, 2010 will be issued a refund minus a $25.00 processing fee. Cancellations received after that date and exhibitors who fail to appear at the show will forfeit their entire fee. Cancellations MUST be received in writing.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES AND GUIDELINES

By participating, entrants in the contest agree to the Official Contest Rules and the decisions of the judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects.

Winners will be notified at Marketplace of Ideas on September 28, 2010, during an awards ceremony sponsored by Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc.
Entry forms and related information become the property of Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. and will not be returned to the inventor.
Entries and any information about the entries of judging of entries, which are not selected as winners, will not be disclosed to contest participants or the public
Winners hereby grant the right of Marketplace of Idea/s/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. to use the name of the company and/or any photographs taken during the competition to be used for editorial, promotional, and others purposes, including, but not limited to, posting online.
Ownership of the invention shall remain with the entrant in all cases. Acceptance of any prize constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, hometown, photographs, and a description of the winning invention, without further compensation, unless where otherwise prohibited by law.
Contest participants will be required to compete in the judging round at Marketplace of Ideas to be eligible for any prizes.
Taxes, if any, related to the prize are the responsibility of the individual winner.
No responsibility or liability is assumed for damages, losses or injury resulting from acceptance or use of any prize.
Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. reserves the right in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the contest, violates the official rules, acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, and/or acts with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person.
Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. shall have no liability or responsibility for any claim arising in connection with participation in this contest or any prize awarded. Winners and entrants assume all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claims to be caused, by participation in this contest or use or redemption of any prize.