Entrepreneurs young and old are encouraged to enter the New Product and Process Fair to be held November 4, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on the campus of Moore Norman Technology Center, 13301 S. Penn Ave., Oklahoma City. Application deadline is October 24. Official rules and application form are available at www.newproductsfair.com.
The Fair, founded over 20 years ago by former Oklahoma Congressman Wes Watkins, is an excellent way for school and institutions of higher education to encourage their students to think out of the box, ignite their creativity and showcase their innovations. But, you don’t have to be a student to enter the Fair as there are six divisions of competition. Divisions include Elementary Student, Secondary Student, Adult Student, Collegiate Student, Small Business and Open Class. Top entrants will be invited to display their prototypes at the Fair and will complete for a total of $11,700 in cash prizes.
According to Fair coordinators, entrepreneurship is an engine for job creation and economic growth, especially during difficult times. A recent Kauffman Foundation study report states that more than half of the 2009 Fortune 500 companies started in a recession or bear market.
“That’s what makes this such an exciting event,” said Fair board member Karl Scifres, Kiamichi Technology Center, McAlester, OK. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our resilient and talented Oklahoma entrepreneurs and independent inventors to get a chance to have their products and processes judged and evaluated for marketability.”
The Fair is a joint effort of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology, Oklahoma Department of Education, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, OSU Cooperative Extension and Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc.
For all the details about the Fair and contact information, visit www.newproductsfair.com.