Category: Events

Finalists for the prestigious 2023 TAGIE Awards have been announced by People of Play (POP). The TAGIEs, now in its 16th year, honor the most innovative inventors, designers, suppliers, retailers, marketers and PR teams in the toy and game industry. Public voting starts Thursday, September 21 and ends on October 20, 2023. Visit the TAGIE Awards 2023 Finalist page to learn about the finalists and cast your vote. Winners in nine categories will receive their TAGIE Awards 2023 trophies on November 3, 2023, in front of a live audience of their peers at Joe’s Live Concert Venue.

Jazwares, a leading global toy company, returns to the long-awaited New York Toy Fair with a sleigh ride full of this holiday season’s must-have toys, collectibles, costumes, and pet products across its vast portfolio of popular brands. Jazwares is in the Top Five toy manufacturers (Circana, July 2023) and holds the industry’s hottest toy licenses and owned IP including plush sensations Squishmallows and BumBumz.

From a Tiffany Bear Giveaway to an OktoBEARfest meet & greet with the brand’s new CEO, Steiff is ready to take on the holiday season with renewed excitement into the new year during this year’s North American International Toy Fair. “On the heels of a successful summer show season we couldn’t be happier to be back in New York at Toy Fair and to meet with our buyers, retailers and long- time industry friends in-person,” said Melissa Bullock, of Steiff North America. “With Steiff’s vast offerings of characters and price points, including our award-winning line of Soft Cuddly Friends plush under $50 we are ready to kick-off the holiday season with the new and beloved heirloom gifts that consumers have come to expect from the inventor of the Teddy bear for over a century.”

Experience a whirlwind of creativity and innovation as Fun In Motion Toys propels you to soaring heights at the highly-anticipated New York Toy Fair 2023, taking place from September 30 to October 3. Prepare for an exceptional showcase of ingenuity and entertainment as Fun In Motion Toys crafts an unforgettable experience at Toy Fair. At booth #1857, creativity and excitement converge, with surprises taking flight through mesmerizing aerial performances. Fun In Motion Toys is excited to unveil three highly anticipated licenses under the Shashibo brand which will be sure to surprise and delight kids and kidults alike and will be unveiled at their booth. They are eager to present THREE new products including TECTI, HyperTiles and Nockles emerging from visionary inventor partnerships, which underscore their dedication to immersive play through groundbreaking product lines.

Dallas Market Center, the leading B2B marketplace in the U.S. for gifts and home décor, and The Toy Association, the business trade association representing hundreds of companies involved in the toy, play and youth entertainment industry, have jointly announced the debut of the Toy Fair Pavilion during The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market, January 10-13, 2024. The market in January will be the largest winter presentation of temporary exhibits in more than twelve years and will feature more than 1000 booths across five distinct product neighborhoods. The Toy Fair Pavilion, located on the 12th floor of the World Trade Center, will feature exhibitors representing the most important brands in toys and youth entertainment, bringing a plethora of toys, puzzles, games, educational products, plush, art activities, dolls, action figures, licensed products, and more to buyers shopping the show. Youth merchandise is among one of the hottest categories in retail and represents more than $100 billion in global economic impact.

Seven new farm animal Softs are in the barn at Douglas Company! The soft toy maker and lifestyle gift creators are adding to their very popular Softs line. Softs are made from irresistibly soft fabrics and are floppy in style, making them extra huggable. Designed for ages 3 and up, Douglas’ newest Farm Animal cuties will be available in early January 2024. Douglas’ products are sold at specialty gift and toy stores in the USA and Canada.

Super Impulse is making a big return to New York Toy Fair (NYTF) this year with hot new releases from its flagship and emerging brands: World’s Smallest, Poptaters, 3.75, Micro Figures and Minis-in-Minis Sugar Buzz, featuring Hershey brands. From September 30th to October 3rd, attendees are invited to visit booth 1935 to see their favorite brands and characters come to life in dynamic, collectible form!

People of Play (POP), host of the preeminent toy and game industry events that occur during Chicago Toy & Game Week, is honored to announce the formation of an advisory board for the Young Inventor Challenge (YIC), a toy and game design and pitch competition for children ages 6 to 18 that is held during the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. “2023 marks the 17th year of the Young Inventor Challenge and has grown so much recently that we knew it was time to put an advisory board together,” said Mary Couzin, founder and president of People of Play. “Recent partnerships with ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) and Happy Camper Live (a company that brings the fun of summer camp to kids 365 days a year) have brought our program to thousands more young inventors! Expansion also means we need more mentors, judges and sponsors. Please reach out to us if you are interested!”