Innovation research events provide effective networking, public relations and educational opportunities for your business. Innovations conventions not only help you stay abreast of the latest computer industry advancements, but allow you to exchange ideas with colleagues. Plus, innovation creativity events give your company significant name recognition among current and future business prospects, partners or clients.

There are a wide range of innovation technology events, with topics ranging from product development and technology to leadership training and marketing. To get the most value from an innovation event, evaluate the following:

1. Are the conventions on innovations designed for computer industry professionals in your specialized field?

2. What special exhibits, workshops or keynote speakers do the conferences on innovations offer to expand your knowledge base or increase your business profitability?

3. How much should your business pay for conferences or seminars on innovations?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select innovation research events geared towards professionals in your field

Choose an innovation event that focuses on your specific industry discipline. If your focus is on small business innovation research, select a specialized innovation research event for small businesses rather than a general innovation research event. Find out if the innovations conventions are designed for owners, executives, engineers, scientists, technology specialists or consultants, and select events most appropriate to your occupation.

I recommend: Invention & New Product Exposition (INPEX) is designed for a wide variety of industries and past attendees include manufacturing and marketing companies, licensors, retailers, importers and exporters, distributors, venture capital groups, infomercial companies and mail-order catalogs. The Beyond Phase II Conference & Exhibition is open to biotech, medical, energy and defense companies. De Bono for Business offers instructor certification training to help corporate trainers and independent consultants deliver workshops in innovative thinking.

Attend innovations conferences with informative workshops and reputable speakers

Select conferences on innovations that offer a selection of classes, exhibits and workshops relevant to your career. For the most beneficial learning experience, look for innovations seminars and classes focused on specific topics rather than broad generalizations. Choose innovation creativity events with successful, reputable and credible speakers who are known for their innovation expertise.

I recommend: The Innovation Master Class presented by Delphi Group offers the latest methods, tools and individualized analysis for building competency in innovation. OVO provides facilitated brainstorming, ThinkAway and idea campaigns sessions to help businesses generate innovative ideas. Bottom Line Innovation Associates offers innovations seminars in leadership, education, application, facilitator certification and licensing, getting results, building internal consulting and intensive problem definition.

Choose innovation technology events in your price range

Register for innovations conferences that fit within your company's budget. In addition to the conference fees, factor in costs for travel, lodging and meals. To save money, consider smaller local or regional innovations seminars, rather than larger national or international conventions on innovations.

I recommend: The National Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Conference offers registration options for small businesses, large corporations, universities, service providers, investors and non-profit organizations with group discounts available. The Designing and Manufacturing Better Products Faster Using TRIZ workshop features a 10% discount for three or more attendees from the same company. Planning and Developing New Products presented by the American Management Association (AMA) offers discounts for AMA members and federal government employees.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To save on travel fees, consider participating in online innovation research events. While you may not benefit from the networking opportunities that come with attending an innovation conference, you will still receive the same valuable educational information from the comfort of your home or office.