New England hosted the first-ever New England Game and Kit Day on October 27th at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA. Thirty-seven vendors exhibited at the event with the goal of teaching and training retailers about their new games and craft kits for the upcoming holiday season. Vendors included Ravensburger, Fat Brain Toys, Eeboo, Goliath Games, Carma Games, Winning Moves and many more.
Get ready to learn, pitch and network your way to success with some of the most recognizable brands in the toy and game industry! The People of Play Inventor & Innovation Conferences, the largest and longest running toy and game inventor conference in the world, are back in person this year with an extensive lineup of speakers and panels inside and outside the industry. Plus, on the much anticipated Pub Night, we’re putting one of our own to roast, the indelible Matt Nuccio, President of Design Edge.
Marine Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s premiere Community Action Program, announces its 75th Anniversary of supporting children in need across the Nation and the kick-off of the Program’s 2022 holiday campaign. The idea of the Marine Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 at the helm of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. Major Hendricks’ wife, Diane, was the inspiration behind the Program after she asked Major Hendricks to deliver some handcrafted dolls to an agency that supported children in need. When Major Hendricks reported back to his wife that he could not find an agency for the handcrafted dolls, Diane encouraged her husband to “start one”!
During November 2022, hundreds of retailers across the United States will be celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Month, an expanded version of Neighborhood Toy Store Day. Spearheaded by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), the month-long event asks shoppers to remember the neighborhood toy stores in their communities as they kick off the holiday shopping season. Aligned with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, participating retailers offer shoppers discounts, special events and hands-on experiences with children’s toys throughout the month.
Monster Jam, the larger-than-life sport that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, has etched itself in the history books yet again alongside leading global children’s entertainment company Spin Master, its global toy partner. Together, the pair set the Guinness World Record for the largest display of monster truck toys, 10,005. Guinness World Records, the global authority in record-breaking, validated the official title at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Following the stunt, all the trucks will be donated to a children’s charity organization.
The Toy Authority, the leader in short form video focused on toys, announced that voting is now open for the People’s Play Awards. Comprised of 17 categories, finalists were independently selected by top industry experts. Calling on the most important audience, The Toy Authority is now asking consumers to choose their favorites in each category, creating the ultimate list for this holiday season. “Over the last decade, toy award programs have become pay to play, making it hard to know if a product is truly the best or if the fee paid for the award. For those who don’t pay to enter these award programs, their products don’t get nominated or seen by consumers. The People’s Play Awards are fee-free, to allow for a fair playing field.” said Jim Silver, CEO of TTPM. “We have reviewed every toy and picked the toys that consumers are going to want the most.”
Magformers LLC, an award-winning toy company and leader in the magnetic construction space, kicks off the holiday season early this year to support families and children in need with its ‘Merry Magformers’ Buy, Get & Give campaign. Beginning on 11/1, with every purchase of the Magformers Designer Carnival 46Pc and/or the Tileblox Rainbow 20pc on Magformers.com, the company will donate one to The Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit (RMHC). To add additional cheer, Santa’s elves will hand deliver the toys directly to The Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit (RMHC) on Giving Tuesday, November 29th at 10 am.
People of Play, the organization known for championing toy and game innovators around the world, will honor outstanding achievements at the 15th Annual Toy & Game International Excellence Awards (The TAGIEs) on November 19, 2022. Under the theme “The Great Reconnect” and sponsored by Disney, Oxford Games, Mattel, The Michael Kohner Corporation, Hasbro, TOMY, Longshore and Nextoy, the evening’s festivities, which kick-off at 6:00pm, will take place for the first time at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago. The 1800’s historic building which was once a church has become a cultural hub for art, entertainment and events. The after-party will begin immediately after the TAGIEs inside The Catacombs beneath the hall.
FAO Schwarz, New York City’s most iconic toy store and the oldest toy store in the U.S., celebrated 160 years of toys and inspiring awe and discovery in October, and everyone was invited! At their flagship store at Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwarz hosted a free, family-friendly event on Saturday, October 8 to celebrate FAO Schwarz Day with the most epic birthday party. The celebration took over Rockefeller Plaza and included live performances, sweet treats and a host of fun-filled activities!