The Toy Association is merging with People of Play (POP).
Under the new deal, POP’s founder, Mary Couzin, joins the Association’s senior leadership team. Couzin will oversee the future growth and integration of POP’s assets and events into the Association, effective immediately.
This merger includes the Chicago Toy and Game (CHITAG) Fair, The Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (The TAGIEs), the Bloom Report, Young Inventor Challenge, Toy & Game Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, Play in Education and POP Platforms, and the People of Play Holiday Guide. These will join The Toy Association’s events such as Toy Fair New York, LA Fall Preview, and The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year Awards.
Who knew that over 20 years ago, when I started Chicago Toy & Game Group, now People of Play, and hosted our first big event, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, to promote play, we would add so many events and initiatives as well as have such an amazing, long-lasting effect on the industry. By joining The Toy Association with their additional resources and new vision, we can strengthen our brands for generations to come. I’m thrilled that People of Play will continue to grow and flourish and want to thank everyone who has been a part of our initiatives. As we have shown, everything is possible when people of play collaborate.”
The Toy Association says that its merger with People of Play enhances its strategy of creating impactful experiences that connect the toy industry with consumers. This partnership will foster a stronger relationship with the inventor and design community, emphasizing creativity and innovation.
“We saw the opportunity to be a catalyst for creativity and innovation by aligning with Mary Couzin and People of Play and utilizing our assets and experiences to help People of Play and its events grow,” says Greg Ahearn, President & CEO at The Toy Association. “Mary, a toy industry Hall of Famer, has built an amazing community with some of the most unique events, consumer engagement moments, compelling content, and industry resources and we are excited to have her and People of Play as part of The Toy Association. With People of Play and The Toy Association working together, the possibilities are endless.”
The 22nd annual Chicago Toy and Game Fair, North America’s largest consumer toy and game fair, will be held on November 9 and 10 in Rosemont, IL, offering interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. The 17th annual TAGIEs will take place on November 8 at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, IL.
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