Inventor Makes Annual Return to Innovation Expo

Mark Ekern of Flandreau, S.D., is once again readying plans for his tradeshow booth at the 5th annual Innovation Expo on Oct. 22 in Sioux Falls. His company, Ekern Enterprises, Inc., designs, develops and manufactures products for the plumbing industry. The company has five patents along with two pending applications. Ekern has continued to return to the Innovation Expo Exhibit Hall because of the networking opportunities and the exposure that his products receive.

The Ekern family has been part of the South Dakota entrepreneurial environment since the early 1900s. As Mark has developed his new products, he has utilized the Enterprise Institute resources for competitive research and market intelligence.

Exhibitors at Innovation Expo 2008 have the opportunity to participate in a number of contests. The Whatchamacallit Contest is an invention contest where products are judged on various factors relating to innovation and commercial potential. The Deal Dating™ contest matches selected entrepreneurs and potential investors in a format similar to speed-dating. For more information or to register, visit the registration page here.