iena

Nuremberg – On its 58th presentation, the IENA, International “Ideas – Inventions – New products“ Trade Fair held from November 2nd to 5th, 2006 at the Nuremberg connected to CONSUMENTA Fair. There ware inventions (near 500) from 17 countries, and the biggest-ever participation of German INSTI-inventors clubs, the IENA again set new records.

The trade fair brought into focus particularly the freelance inventors, impressively demonstrating what an important role is played by the inventor working independently, as a contrast to the staff who work in research and development departments for large concerns and in colleges. IENA documented conclusively that the freelance inventors are just as full of ideas and as creative when working on solutions to problems. Since the majority of the inventions at the Nuremberg Inventors Fair were being unveiled to the public for the first time, the media showed great interest too, which was reflected in intensive media coverage of the fair.
The organizer (AFAG Messen & Ausstellungen Gmbh) provided a booth free of charge for IFIA to present its activity.

Mrs. Mária Vedres and the IFIA booth

The Opening Ceremony had been organized on November 2, in presence of Dr. Ingo Friedrich, the Vice-president of the European Parliament, and the leaders of German innovation. The IFIA President given a greetings speech. Dr. Vedres expressed that the most important world wide inventors' interest are the Community Patent and the legal protection by patent for computer implemented inventions (CIIs) in Europe. He had been reported to the establishment of the IFIA European Inventors Network to foster innovation. This network will organize a world competition for the CIIs in 2007. The world final will be organized on the next IENA.

Greetings by IFIA President

The business circles visited on 2-3 November. In contrast to previous years, this year there were primarily expert visitors from industry on the lookout for practical inventions and new products, followed by representatives from commerce and recycling and the scientific world. This year, the high proportion of staff visiting from well-known industrial undertakings was particularly noticeable.
The expert visitors came from 39 countries, including 23 European countries as well as Japan, China, the USA, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Iran, Kuwait, Israel, North Africa and South America.

The success was additionally enhanced by the quality of contacts reported by the exhibitors. In the exhibitor survey, 76% of those interviewed assessed the contact possibilities at IENA with very good and good, 16% stated they were satisfied, and only 8% were less than satisfied. 28% of the exhibitors reported having made concrete agreements during the trade fair.

The INSTI was the greatest Germany exhibitors. INSTI inventors clubs had been presented their inventions. The INSTI-youth platform and youth workshops were a valuable good example of the INSTI activity.

IFIA members which exhibited on IENA also expressed themselves satisfied with the way the fair had run. They have also signified that they will be taking part in IENA in the future, thanks to its success.

As in every year, an expert jury deliberated on the best inventions at IENA awarding special prizes and medals. In total, the jury awarded 75 gold medals, 116 silver medals and 121 bronze medals in the categories Freelance Inventors, Youth and Universities/Colleges. Apart from these medals, further consolation prizes were also awarded.

At the Award Ceremony the Dr. András VEDRES IFIA President expressed many thanks for the organizers in the name of exhibitors, and he awarded IFIA Gold Medal to Mrs. Lydia Zetl for her international support of inventors.

Lydia Zetl and András Vedres

Next year, the IENA will take place from November 1st to 4th at the Nuremberg Trade Fair Showground.