 | Innovation is at the heart of every successful business—but without the right protections in place, your ideas, products, and brand identity can be at risk. As part of National Small Business Week, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Ohio Small Business Development Center to bring this critical conversation to Northwest Ohio. |
Join Us: Protecting Intellectual Property for Small Business
📅 Thursday, May 7, 2026
🕐 1:00 – 4:00 PM
📍 Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
This free, in-person event is designed to help entrepreneurs, startups, and growing businesses understand how to safeguard what makes their business unique.
Why This Matters
From logos and branding to products, processes, and proprietary ideas—your intellectual property (IP) is one of your most valuable assets. Yet many small businesses don’t take the necessary steps to protect it until it’s too late.
This session will help you move from idea to marketplace with confidence, equipping you with the knowledge to avoid costly mistakes and position your business for long-term success.
From logos and branding to products, processes, and proprietary ideas—your intellectual property (IP) is one of your most valuable assets. Yet many small businesses don’t take the necessary steps to protect it until it’s too late.
This session will help you move from idea to marketplace with confidence, equipping you with the knowledge to avoid costly mistakes and position your business for long-term success.
What You’ll Learn
Attendees will gain practical, real-world insight from experts who work with businesses every day, including:
You’ll also have the opportunity to connect directly with patent and trademark attorneys, lenders, and resource partners who can support your next steps.
Attendees will gain practical, real-world insight from experts who work with businesses every day, including:
- How patents, trademarks, and other protections apply to your business
- Key legal considerations when launching or scaling a product or service
- Steps to protect your brand and innovations early
- How to align IP strategy with your overall business plan
You’ll also have the opportunity to connect directly with patent and trademark attorneys, lenders, and resource partners who can support your next steps.
Learn from Experts, Close to Home
This session features insights from regional and national leaders, including:
Together, they’ll break down complex topics into actionable guidance you can apply immediately.
This session features insights from regional and national leaders, including:
- Michael Tolson, Director of the Toledo SBDC and VP of Small Business Services at the Chamber
- Marilyn Nash, Interim Assistant Regional Director with the USPTO Midwest Elijah J. McCoy Regional Outreach Office
Together, they’ll break down complex topics into actionable guidance you can apply immediately.
Part of National Small Business Week
Small businesses are the backbone of our regional economy, and National Small Business Week is a time to celebrate their impact while equipping them with tools for continued success.
This event connects you to the expertise, resources, and relationships that can help you protect—and grow—your business.
Small businesses are the backbone of our regional economy, and National Small Business Week is a time to celebrate their impact while equipping them with tools for continued success.
This event connects you to the expertise, resources, and relationships that can help you protect—and grow—your business.
Reserve Your Spot
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
👉 Secure your seat today and take a proactive step toward protecting your business.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
👉 Secure your seat today and take a proactive step toward protecting your business.
Whether you’re launching a new idea or scaling an established business, understanding intellectual property isn’t optional—it’s essential. Join us and make sure what you’re building today is protected for tomorrow.
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