The Toy Association announced this month a merger with People of Play (POP), further solidifying its commitment to the growth of the toy and game industry. The new relationship unites People of Play’s portfolio of events and initiatives with The Toy Association’s advocacy for industry growth and the support of its members.
POP’s portfolio includes the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (CHITAG), Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (The TAGIEs), Bloom Report, Young Inventor Challenge, and other programs. These endeavours join The Toy Association’s industry-leading offerings, such as Toy Fair New York, LA Fall Preview, The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year Awards, and the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
In an exclusive conversation with Toy Tales, People of Play founder and 2023 inductee to the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, Mary Couzin, explained the impetus for establishing POP. “My goal was to promote play and I thought one of the most powerful ways to do so was to tell the stories behind the products … to connect people to the people behind the products,” Mary stated. “We introduce the inventors to the public at our Chicago Toy & Game Fair. We celebrate them and all the people on the product’s journey at the TAGIE Awards and we ‘bring them to life’ on the page on the POP website. We had over 320,000 consumers on our POP site last year. They are interested in the stories behind the products they are buying!”
The merger deepens The Toy Association’s connection with the inventor and design community, fostering creativity and innovation – a cornerstone of the dynamic and fast-paced toy industry. Additionally, People of Play’s mandate to promote innovation and collaboration will benefit from The Toy Association’s resources, solidifying its position as a vital force for new and established inventors, designers, and brands.
“Both organizations focus on creativity, innovation, and consumer engagement and produce world-class events to bring people together to play,” Couzin explained of the synergies between the two organizations.
Greg Ahearn, president and chief executive officer of The Toy Association added, “Bringing People of Play and The Toy Association together allows both organizations to best support the industry we serve. We look forward to an exciting future where we can help the toy community grow, connect, and thrive through top-notch experiences, both virtual and in person.”
Learn more about The Toy Association and People of Play.
