Innovation is what has and always will drive the ground swell of a countries economy. It has shown that those who can think and live ahead of the curve have always emerged as the winners in life. Just look at IBM, Apple and Sony. The minds behind these businesses, kept deep in buildings with lead windows and concrete walls, are often ignored and never recognized.

But this is all about to change. If you are or have someone locked in your basement who is an inventor of note, then it is time to step out into the spot light and let the world know what’s on your mind. INVENT 2011, Popular Mechanics annual inventors conference is looking for the county’s top inventions.

INVENT 2011 is scheduled for Thursday 24^th November at the Indaba Hotel and Conference centre. Speakers on the day include Popular Mechanics editor Alan Duggan, Don MacRobert, Professor Deon de Beer, Ravini Moodley, Errol Braithwaite and Simon Geer just to mention a few.

This meeting of the minds and celebration of invention is a must for those of us who keep dream journals, design sketch pads and block paper with us at all times. Prizes totaling R130k are up for grabs with category winners taking home R20k each to get their inventions to the next stage of development. So do what you must to book and get yourself and your box of tricks to Midrand for this event. Bookings and more details here.