By Laurie Chartorynsky, The Toy Association
Bringing fresh insight into consumer trends driving the world of toys, play, and youth entertainment, Stephanie Wissink, a managing director and senior research analyst at Jefferies, will lead one of several “TED Talk”-like sessions at the new PlayCon, The Toy Association’s International Conference of Play Professionals, taking place May 8 to 9 in San Francisco, CA.
Wissink will share her expertise in consumer product trends, specifically focusing on demographics, distribution evolution, and demand dynamics. Her discussion will help conference attendees tap into the latest global trends as they consider developing new product lines and new avenues for distribution.
“We’re excited to add Stephanie Wissink to our line-up of remarkable speakers at this not-to-be-missed event,” said Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “Year after year, PlayCon attendees leave the conference more motivated and more informed about the evolving nature of play.”
PlayCon’s speaker roster includes more than 20 thought-leaders, industry analysts, toy influencers, consumer product executives, and other motivational speakers who will lead short “TED Talk”-like sessions during the conference’s new format. Confirmed speakers include: Facebook’s Eva Press; Google’s Victoria Fang; alternative reality game designer Jane McGonigal; Dale Dougherty, “father” of the Maker Movement; Activision Blizzard’s Tim Kilpin; Trend Hunter’s Armida Ascano and Courtney Scharf; YouTube’s Dan and Lincoln Markham; Bottle Rocket CEO Chas Lacaillade; Ted Curtin of ProdigyWorks; and many more.
Stephanie Wissink has 16 years of equity research experience, having worked with Piper Jaffray before joining Jefferies in May 2017 as managing director and senior research analyst. She collaborates with a global team on key themes in beauty and other trend-oriented consumer product categories. Wissink graduated from St. Olaf College in 2002 with degrees in marketing and finance.
The Toy Association is hosting an open forum focused on succeeding over bankruptcies, retail disruption, and a changing marketplace, taking place Tuesday, May 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the SF Jazz Center – prior to PlayCon’s official opening. The forum is open to all toy and play professionals at no cost and registration for PlayCon is not required. Email Robyn Gibbs to RSVP.
Visit ToyAssociation.org/PlayCon to register and for a list of up-to-date speakers, hotel information, and other news about the industry’s premier conference for play professionals.