Invention Convention

For years I hosted and emceed the Invent Idaho State Finals - the Young Inventor of the Year awards - for the premier student invention competition in the Northwest.

Invent Idaho, the premier student invention competition in the Northwest for over 30 years, inspires and celebrates young inventors for their innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Every year over 1000 young inventors in grades 1-12 throughout the state of Idaho participate in the Invent Idaho Invention Convention program, competing at three Regional events around the state and culminating at the Invent Idaho State Finals, hosted by the University of Idaho.

Winning inventors advance to compete at the National Invention Convention at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Idaho’s young inventors shine at Nationals, bringing home major awards such as Best Prototype sponsored by Stanley-Black and Decker, the Zero Hunger Zero Waste Award sponsored by Kroger, and even a Free Patent Search, won by a second grader at the National Invention Convention in 2020.

Our most famous Invent Idaho Best of Show winner, Alex Knoll, inventor of the “Ability App”, appeared on the Ellen Show as a fifth grader! Invent Idaho is changing lives!

I had the privilege of hosting the Invent Idaho - Young Inventor of the Year - Awards for many years, and they were among the most important engagements of my year. Such a thrill to inspire the next generation of inventors!!!