Success stories for 75 years: The Inventors’ Trade Fair iENA celebrated its 75th anniversary
iENA 2023 Report
[Nuremberg, Germany – 31 October 2023] The international trade fair “Ideas – Inventions – New Products” iENA 2023 took place from Saturday, 28th to Monday, 30th October at the Nuremberg Trade Fair Centre and celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. For three days, the iENA presented inventions from all over the world. China was this year’s partner – the China Association of Inventions (CAI) brought numerous innovations from China to Nuremberg together with other Chinese inventor institutions.
More than 500 inventions were presented to the trade public in Nuremberg during the iENA, and inventors and developers from all over the world were expected in Nuremberg. Included at the iENA 2023 were collectives from countries such as Egypt, Angola, China, Iraq, Lebanon, and Poland. For inventors, the trade fair in Nuremberg offered the opportunity to network establish contacts with potential investors and licensors, and present innovations in personal conversations. In addition, the iENA provided technical information: The German Patent and Trademark Office DPMA ensured a high quality of information about patent and trademark rights, and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, and Bayern Innovative were there as partners. The German Inventors’ Association DEV was the contact for inventors and offered initial information as well as opportunities for exchange. In addition to numerous international participants, national inventor clubs and collectives, as well as private inventors, also presented themselves at the iENA, including the Förderkreis Ingenieurstudium of the Technical Faculty Erlangen.
Particularly impressive were the innovations of the youth inventors, such as the winners of “Jugend forscht” or the students from the Schülerforschungszentrum Südwürttemberg. The winners of the Artur Fischer Inventor Award Baden-Württemberg were also eagerly awaited at the iENA and were presented by the Steinbeis Transfer Center Infothek.
75 Years of the Inventors’ Trade Fair iENA
In 1948, the trade fair organizer AFAG began organizing the Inventors’ and Innovations’ Exhibition in Nuremberg. In the following decades, the event evolved into the international inventors’ trade fair. Countless successful inventions and innovations were presented to the public for the first time at the iENA in Nuremberg, including, for example, the rolling suitcase, the igloo tent, and the insulation rescue blanket, as well as technical developments from all areas of life, such as medicine, energy technology, environmental protection, and safety.
China was the partner of iENA 2023
With exhibitors from around 30 countries and regions, the Inventors’ Fair recorded a higher level of international participation again after the pandemic. Henning and Thilo Könicke, Managing Directors of the fair organizer AFAG, were pleased to welcome more international guests to Nuremberg, with a focus on China this year. They stated, “The Chinese inventors have already made a valuable contribution to the Inventors’ Fair in Nuremberg for many years. That is why we were particularly pleased that the China Association of Inventions (CAI) was a partner of the iENA in its anniversary year 2023. This put the focus on China’s innovative strength, and we were excited to see which Chinese inventions were presented at the international inventor trade show iENA in Nuremberg.”
Stage for Innovations – Support for Inventors
During the trade fair, a stage program was organized by the German Inventors’ Association DEV as part of iENA. The program focused on providing information for inventors and creative individuals. Topics covered included the design of legally secure websites, the question of whether creativity could be learned, and the important matter of financing inventions. Inventors also shared their experiences and insights. For instance, Karl Heinz Bilz talked about his participation in the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen.”
Focused on Innovative Strength with iENA and Innovation Congress
On Monday, 30th October, the iENA was accompanied by the Innovation Congress (conducted in German only), which provided exciting insights and was enhanced by productive discussion sessions. The combination of these two events generated numerous synergies: The Inventors’ Fair was accessible to congress attendees, and concurrently, inventors could leverage the professional insights from the congress to advance themselves and their innovations.
Creative and Technology Fair “Hack & Make”
The “Hack & Make” was aimed at creatives, tinkerers, and the curious and accompanied the iENA for all three days, from October 28 to 30. The creative event was organized by FabLab Region Nürnberg and its partners. Experienced and inexperienced individuals alike could refresh and expand their knowledge through lectures and discover a new world of do-it-yourself.
Further information at www.iena.de/en/
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