New this year at the National Hardware Show (NHS), HABITAT sits at the crossroads of merchandise and mission and is the first area attendees experience as they enter the West Hall. Focused on the future and designed for discovery, HABITAT aims to explore the new ideas and technologies that are impacting our definition of the home and how we live. From environmental innovations to cultural and social shifts, NHS keeps a trained eye on how the hardware and home improvement industry can rise to meet the ongoing changes of our world.

HABITAT Next spotlights inventors and features educational sessions hosted by the United Inventors Association (UIA). On the HABITAT Next Stage on Thursday, UIA played host to a dynamic lineup of speakers and topics, including prototyping, target funding, critical elements for invention success and pitching your product.

One session provided advice from patent, trademark and copyright attorney and UIA board member Andrea Evans on protecting your invention with patents, trademarks and copyrights.

“One of my biggest pieces of advice, especially here at the National Hardware Show, is as soon as you talk about your invention in public, that is considered a public disclosure and you need to file for a patent within a year,” says Evans. “So if you’re here at the Show and talk about your product, you have a year to file a patent.”

Attendees also took part in an inventor pitch panel, where inventors showed off their products to three judges who offered their feedback and advice.

Friday and Saturday’s speaker lineup promises to be just as dynamic with two more inventor pitch panels and experts speaking on everything from hardware industry licensing to crowdfunding. Check out the full schedule here.

The HABITAT Innovation Showcase features a curated selection of products from companies paving the way in innovation, while HABITAT New features new product launches for this NHS Show. Exhibitor Mandy Wagstaff appreciated being a part of the HABITAT Innovation section of the Show floor. Her company, Verus Innovations, had brought other products to previous NHS events.

“This area has given us a lot of interaction with attendees and it’s great to be in an innovative space with fellow inventors and innovators,” Wagstaff says. “We even had a chance to pitch one of our products during the inventor pitch panel, which was great.”

Visit all three areas of HABITAT to get the most out of this new way to experience the Show floor.