U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Innovation Expo is a two-day program taking place at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, on September 21--22, 2026. Virtual participation is also available. This event will feature engaging panel discussions, networking opportunities, and resource booths highlighting innovation, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, branding, and commercialization. We encourage you to attend and help promote this program to your networks and partners. Your support will help us reach innovators and entrepreneurs who can benefit from the valuable information and resources shared during the event. What you'll learn: Emerging trends in artificial intelligence and how they are shaping business and technology; Strategies for protecting innovation, securing intellectual property, and exploring funding opportunities; Building and managing a personal brand, including name, image, likeness, and investor readiness. The Innovation Expo is part of the agency's efforts to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and highlight the important role of intellectual property in our nation's growth. Innovation Expo is replacing Invention-Con as the USPTO's annual conference for independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small business owners whose success depends on guarding their creative work.