03.08.07
FLBA Invention Showcase
ERA, in partnership with Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda and sponsor Koeppel Direct, a leading direct response TV media buying firm announced the winners of the Invention Showcase to find America’s best young inventor. Sister team Julia (18) and Caroline (16) La Roche from Farmville, VA won the $20,000 grand prize for “Flea Tea,” a natural herb remedy that kills fleas on cats and dogs without any harmful side effects.
Mitchell Duffy (16) came in second with “Butter Blaster,” a device that evenly distributes butter throughout an entire bucket of popcorn. Third-place went to Tyson Williams (18) for his “Floating Game Table,” a table-top with built-in drink holders and chip tray for game playing in the pool or spa. Christopher Messick (16) was fourth for the “Gesture System for Computer Interface,” a device consisting of two gloves which read all the movements of the hands and allows computer users to type, move the cursor and input entire phrases, all without ever touching a keyboard or computer mouse. The second to fourth-place winners each received $2,500.
The announcement was covered in more than 50 print outlets from Virginia to Las Vegas and was featured on a DC FOX news program.
I imagine some of you are reading this and saying to yourselves, “Great, but what did ERA get out of it”?
As you know, over the last three years, ERA has committed itself to enhancing and broadening the credibility of electronic retailing. The Association has worked on this objective in many ways and corporate social responsibility is one tool to help achieve this goal. It isn’t just about doing the right thing, it also offers direct business benefits.
“This program seemed a natural fit for our student membership,” said Jean Buckley, President and CEO of FBLA-PBL. “Today, they impressed us all with their innovative ideas produced by America’s most creative minds.”
The six finalists were also given the opportunity to spend time with contest sponsor Peter Koeppel of Koeppel Direct, a leading DRTV media buying firm who provided tips to success in product selection, effective direct marketing and promotion.
