Inventor shows and workshops occur in numerous cities across the country throughout the year. Many times there is no admission charge to go and browse through the exhibition hall where inventors have booths displaying their inventions. Just walking the hall and visiting with other inventors can be an extremely valuable source of information and contacts.

Independent inventors are generally a very friendly and giving group of people who will gladly share their experiences and sources of help. Inventor shows and seminars often have workshops and lectures on various phases of inventing taught by experts in the field. The fees to attend the educational sessions are usually quite nominal while the education you receive may save you thousands of dollars over the long haul. The two largest shows of this type are the Yankee Invention Exposition, which is held each October in Waterbury, Connecticut, and the Minnesota Inventors Congress which is held each June in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Although these are the two largest such shows, others occur throughout the year.