Category: Events

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is thrilled to announce that the prestigious 2024 Wonder Women Awards Gala will be hosted in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Timed to coincide with LA Fall Toy Previews, the Wonder Women Awards celebrates the remarkable achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are propelling the toy, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment industries forward.

ToyFest concluded its 11th tradeshow in Las Vegas, held at the World Market Center. Toy & Gift Stores from across the US attended the Las Vegas Show including stores from 48 states and 24 international countries. The Las Vegas Market held their Spring Buying event parallel with ToyFest which made for an even better shopping experience for Retailers. “What a week! ToyFest 2024 was filled with buyers from all over the country. The show had great energy and excitement, allowing everyone to enjoy all ToyFest had to offer. Resorts World was once again a lovely host hotel. I can’t wait for 2025 as we continue to make ToyFest the best it can be for all.” said Sandy Lepire, ToyFest President.

Ready to relive your favorite Mario memories? Nintendo has unveiled a Mega Mushroom-sized list of ways to commemorate MAR10 Day 2024 – from competing for rewards to exploring deals on games to even attending special in-person events in honor of our mustachioed hero. Fans of all ages are encouraged to celebrate by playing all of Mario’s greatest hits, from classic games featuring Mario released on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System now available on Nintendo Switch Online, to his newest venture into the Flower Kingdom, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. A full list of MAR10 Day 2024 activities is available at Mario.Nintendo.com. You can “Press Start” on the celebration now by checking out this special video that takes fans on a journey through Mario’s adventures over the years.

The Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards (B&LLAs) reward excellence in product innovation and brand licensing management as well as retail execution within the ever-evolving brand and lifestyle licensing arena (non-entertainment)…and the B&LLAs 2024 are still open for entries! The awards are free to enter. You can complete your entry entirely online. The deadline for entry is Friday, March 8, 2024.

FanRoll is pleased to announce a major new licensing agreement with leading toy and game company Hasbro. The new program will begin with a multifaceted Dungeons & Dragons program, under license by Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast division, that coincides with the brand’s 50th anniversary. FanRoll also plans to launch a line of premium gaming dice for iconic Hasbro Gaming brands Monopoly, Risk, Clue, HeroQuest and Betrayal at House on the Hill. This collaboration comes on the heels of a major rebranding and refocus for the company in 2023 from Metallic Dice Games to FanRoll.

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (Astra), composed of local retailers, manufacturers, Certified Play Experts, and toy industry professionals, surveyed a group of independently owned retailers about the toy trends they’re seeing so far for 2024. Based on their insight… it’s safe to say – that it will be a very fun year! “Our small retailers are on the front lines with consumers, having conversations, and seeing first hand what’s hot every day,” said Sue Warfield, President, Astra.“ They are the perfect resource to help us determine trends for the first part of 2024 and this year they have not disappointed. We’re excited to see these trends and watch as what’s hot continues to evolve throughout the year.”

Licensing Expo (Mandalay Bay Convention Center, May 21-23, 2024), the world’s leading event dedicated to brand licensing, IP extension, partnerships and collaborations, unveils a first preview of the closing content taking place across this year’s campus and curated impactful agenda for the final day of the show. The final day of Licensing Expo opens with AI Futurist Zack Kass, former Head of Go-to-Market for OpenAI, the developers of the pioneering ChatGPT chatbot and previous advisor of brand giants like Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley. Kass will keynote on the complexities of artificial intelligence, aiding senior leaders to provide foresight and direction to help organizations adapt and thrive alongside rapid advancements in AI (Thursday, May 23). Featured in outlets like Fortune, AdAge and Entrepreneur, amid a surge of proclaimed AI experts, Kass offers experience and pragmatic insights for major organizations looking to build a brighter future with artificial intelligence.

Earlier this year, The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) announced ToyFest’s plans, Hall of Fame recipients, and its participation at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, March 3 – 5, 2024. The Board of Directors and Slate of Officers have spent many months making plans and exciting changes for the 2024 show. 2023 was the most well attended ToyFest show in the past two decades. Buyers came from all over the United States and beyond. The response was phenomenal, making the 2024 ToyFest all that more sensational to plan.

Dallas Market Center announces the launch of Nearshoring America, a new international expo and support services designed to explore and facilitate nearshoring production services for gift, home furnishings, and fashion accessories companies. Nearshoring America EXPO, to take place at Dallas Market Center from December 10-12, 2024, will connect brands and their representatives with vetted factories and supply chain service providers from Mexico and Latin America.