9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

**FREE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC**

This Public Policy Briefing sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the fight for American innovation. Randy Landreneau and Dirk Tomsin of US Inventor will kick things off with brief remarks, followed by Representative Thomas Massie, a leading voice in Congress for patent reform and inventor rights.

Together, they’ll announce the reintroduction of two pro-innovation, pro-inventor bills designed to restore a strong U.S. patent system and protect independent innovators.

Following Representative Massie’s address, we will have a discussion with advocates and policy experts on ongoing legislative efforts in Washington, the challenges ahead, and how inventors nationwide can help influence meaningful reform.

12:00 – 12:45 PM

Meet your lead to walk the halls, meet the other inventors in your group, get ready for meetings!

1:00 – 5:00 PM

The fight for inventor rights doesn’t end in the conference room, it continues in the halls of Congress. This afternoon, inventors will put everything they’ve learned into action by meeting directly with congressional offices.

Armed with new insights on legislation and policy, attendees will use their voices to advocate for stronger patent protections, fair treatment, and the future of American innovation.

This is more than a symbolic gesture, it’s real advocacy in action. By walking the halls of Congress together, inventors will show lawmakers the faces behind America’s innovation and deliver a clear message: inventors matter, and their voices must be heard.

8:30 – 9:20 AM

Start your day by picking up your Attendee Badge and SWAG Bag. Connect with fellow innovators and prepare for an inspiring and knowledge-packed day! Breakfast is provided including eggs, breads, coffee, tea, water and juice.

9:20 – 9:30 AM

USI President Randy Landreneau will once again take the stage as host, presenter, and motivator, guiding conversations and inspiring attendees as innovators, policymakers, and advocates unite for the future of invention in America.

9:30 – 10:15 AM

Sahara Lotti opens the conference with a powerful keynote that sets the tone for every inventor in the room, what it means to keep fighting when the system fails those who create. She’s joined by an extraordinary panel of women inventors and business owners who’ve lost patents, businesses, and peace of mind but never their will to fight.

Less than 15% of patents go to women, and fewer than 1% of those ever reach commercial success. Yet here stand five of them and many more in the audience all saying the same thing: “Even we aren’t protected.”

This panel brings together women who’ve lived that reality, inventors, founders, and trailblazers who have lost patents, businesses, health, and security, yet still refuse to back down. From canceled patents to counterfeit battles, from rebuilding careers to mentoring the next generation, these women continue to fight because their stories matter and because silence has never changed a thing.

Their message is raw, powerful, and necessary: when the system fails, courage takes its place. By standing together and sharing the truth, they hope to spark the change that will finally protect those who create.

10:20 – 10:55 AM

The USPTO’s new policies—including settled expectations are opening doors for inventors. This panel of experts will explain what these changes mean and how you can use them to strengthen and protect your inventions.

11:00 – 11:10 AM

A story of awe, resilience, and the cost of daring to create.

11:10 – 11:20 AM

11:20 – 12:00 PM

Two of the most powerful voices in patents. One message destined to be the loudest in 2025

A rare convergence of two of the most formidable forces in the patent world, Erich Spangenberg and Marc Fenster on one stage. Speaking directly to inventors, and indirectly to Congress, the USPTO, and the Administration, they bring a perspective no one else can deliver: “a little history and a lot of future.”

This isn’t just a talk, it’s a message. A signal. A call that will ripple through Washington and the innovation economy. If you miss this, you miss the truth, unfiltered, from the very people who know how power is wielded and how inventors can reclaim it.

12:00 – 12:15 PM

Please take your lunch back to your table for a working lunch panel.

Lunch provided is a mix of sandwiches, gluten free options and sides

12:15 – 1:00 PM

Counterfeits and knockoffs can cripple an inventor’s business but you’re not powerless. This panel brings together global enforcement leaders and brand protection experts to show inventors how to leverage takedown programs, cross-border cooperation, and tech-driven tools to fight back.

1:00  – 1:10 PM

1:10 – 2:00 PM

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just transforming how we search prior art or structure claims — it’s recalibrating the dynamics of the patent system itself. For decades, small inventors and startups have faced an uphill battle against entrenched corporate legal teams. But the rise of AI-powered patent platforms is shifting that landscape.

This powerhouse panel features leaders from DeepIP (François Leduc & Thomas Chazot), IP Copilot (Austin Walters), and Tangibly (Chris Buntel & Tim Londergan), moderated by Barry Schindler, Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Patent Prosecution Group. Together, they’ll unpack how generative AI and intelligent platforms are:

• Delivering strong first drafts that accelerate workflows while keeping expert legal judgment front and center.

• Empowering inventors and small businesses to engage strategically — not just tactically — in patent development.

• Reimagining IP strategy by placing advanced search, drafting, and analysis tools directly in the hands of innovators.

For legal professionals, this isn’t about replacing expertise — it’s about amplifying it. By automating the groundwork, AI unlocks strategic capacity, allowing lawyers to focus on high-value advisory work. For inventors, it’s a blueprint for reclaiming agency in a system that has long favored scale over ingenuity.

2:00  – 2:10 PM

2:10 – 2:50 PM

This panel brings together leaders in litigation finance to explain how funding works, what inventors should know before engaging with funders, and how it can turn the tide in high-stakes cases.

When Senator Tillis proposed taxing litigation funding in the “Big Beautiful Bill,” US Inventor played a major role in stopping it, protecting inventors’ access to the resources they need to enforce their rights. This session will unpack why keeping funding untaxed is essential, and how inventors can use it as a tool to level the playing field against larger opponents

2:50 – 3:00 PM

3:00 – 3:50 PM

The Cherry Johnson Siegmund James team has done it all, from billion-dollar verdicts to defending the smallest inventors. With deep Texas roots, trial-tested experience, and technical expertise spanning engineering, software, and medical devices, this panel will show why Texas courts are uniquely powerful for inventors and how to use them as your strongest shield.

3:50 – 4:00 PM

We pause to reflect on what we’ve learned and the community we’ve built together over these two days. This session is both a thank you to every inventor, advocate, and supporter who made the event possible—and a reminder that our work is just beginning.

You’ll leave inspired with a clear message: go advocate, keep pushing, and don’t stop fighting for the rights of inventors.

4:15 – 7:00 PM

Join us for an evening of connection and celebration at the Networking Reception.

During the reception, we’ll proudly present the Beacon of Hope Award, honoring someone who embodies courage, resilience, and the spirit of innovation.

Members of the USPTO will be in attendance, making this an extraordinary opportunity to connect directly with policymakers in an informal, open setting.

Raise a glass, share your story, and strengthen the community that’s driving the future of American invention.