Utah Geniuses to be Honored

Utah is a hotbed for innovation, patented inventions, and entrepreneurial activity. Now those Utah innovators who are driving the creative economy have an awards program where they can be recognized.

Utah's top inventors and creative geniuses will be acknowledged at the Utah Genius 2009 Awards luncheon on May 12, at 12:15 p.m., at Grand America Hotel. Dr. Dinesh Patel, longtime community leader and managing director of vSpring Capital, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Presented by Bateman IP Law Group and UtahPulse.com, the Genius awards are meant to reward those who are helping to bolster Utah's economy through their creativity. Awards will be presented in these categories:

• The lifetime achievement award
• Top 20 patentees for 2008
• Top 5 cities by numbers of patents for 2008
• Top 5 cities by patents per capita for 2008
• Top 20 trademark registrants for 2008

Unlike most recognition programs, these awards (except the lifetime achievement award) will be based on objective criteria - data gathered from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by Bateman IP Law Group. Nominations and applications are not required to receive the awards.

Keynote speaker at the event will be Dr. Jack Brittain, Dean of the Eccles School of Business and Vice President of the Technology Venture Development Office at the University of Utah. Gov. Jon Huntsman will also participate through a video presentation. Lane Beattie, CEO and President, Salt Lake Chamber, will present the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sponsorships for the event are available. Current Platinum sponsors include the Daily Herald and Rocketship; Gold sponsors are Utah CEO magazine and the Salt Lake Chamber; Silver sponsors are Lumin Publishing, Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum, Lassonde Center, Espiritu Design, and The Enterprise.

The public is welcome to attend the luncheon. Individual tickets cost $60, or $400 for a table of 8. To RSVP or for more information, visit www.utahgenius.com or call Maggie Franz at 801.533.0320.