Day two of the annual weeklong Toy & Game International Innovation Summit organized by People of Play (formerly Chicago Toy & Game Group) focused on the retail side of the toy, game, and play industries.
Where Ideas Come From
Hasbro took centre stage in the morning with Hasbro’s Inventor & Innovation Panel – Where the Ideas Come From! The session featured three conversations with the inventors of notable toys: Leslie Scott (Jenga), Reyn Guyer (NERF), and Richard Levy (Furby). Led by members of the Hasbro leadership team, the conversations touched on the inspiration, development, and release of these now-iconic toys.
Key takeaways include: toy and game invention is not for the faint of heart; and, it’s nerve-wracking to evolve brands with nostalgic value.
Retail-Themed content
Six retail-themed panel discussions followed throughout the day, including:
- What are Mass Retailers Looking For?
- Maximizing Sales in the 4th Quarter Through Drop Shipping, Especially in a Covid World
- Leading Innovation at Specialty Retail
- Connecting with Retailers Worldwide
- Working with Reps in the US
- Getting into Worldwide Markets: Licensing vs. Distribution
Each of these sessions featured individuals with subject matter expertise and real-world experience.
Highlights include: the unlikely ways panelists came to work in the toy and game industry; how social media has helped retailers navigate business during the pandemic; and, the changing role of specialty retailers in the age of online marketplaces such as Amazon.
More Information
Read our recap of Day One of the Toy & Game International Innovation Summit.
About People of Play
People of Play (POP) celebrates and empowers toy and game innovation worldwide by providing educational opportunities, recognition and community for industry professionals, amateur inventors and people of all ages who love to play. People of Play oversees a number of events including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the New Inventor Conference, the Professional Inventors Conference, Play in Education Conference, the Bloom Report and the People of Play Foundation.
