The Toy Association is merging with the People of Play (POP).
Under the new agreement, POP founder Mary Couzin joins the association’s senior leadership team. Couzin will oversee the future development and integration of POP’s assets and activities into the Association, effective immediately.
The merger includes the Chicago Toys and Games (CHITAG) Expo, Toy and Game Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIE), Bloom Reports, Young Inventors Challenge, Toy and Game Inventors Outreach and Innovation Conference, Play in Education and POP platforms, and The Play Guy’s Guide to Vacation. The products will be featured at Toy Association events such as the New York Toy Fair, the Los Angeles Fall Preview and the Toy Foundation’s Annual Toy Awards.
Who knew that over 20 years ago, when I started Chicago Toy and Game Group (now People of Play) and hosted our first major event, Chicago Toy and Game Expo, to promote play, we would add so many more events and initiatives to Industry has had such an amazing, lasting impact. By joining the Toy Association and leveraging their additional resources and new vision, we can strengthen our brand for generations to come. I’m delighted that People of Play will continue to grow and thrive, and would like to thank everyone involved in our programs. As we’ve shown, when gamers collaborate, anything is possible.
—Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play
The Toy Association said the merger with People of Play strengthens its strategy of creating impactful experiences that connect the toy industry with consumers. This partnership will foster stronger relationships with inventors and the design community, emphasizing creativity and innovation.
“By partnering with Mary Couzin and People of Play, and leveraging our assets and experience to help People of Play and its events grow, we see an opportunity to be a catalyst for creativity and innovation,” said Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of the Toy Association. . “Mary is a Toy Industry Hall of Fame member who has built an amazing community that includes some of the most unique events, consumer engagement moments, compelling content and industry resources, and we are excited to have her and People of Play become Part of the Toy Association. With People of Play and the Toy Association working together, the possibilities are endless.
The 22nd Annual Chicago Toy & Game Expo, North America’s largest consumer toy and game expo, will be held November 9-10 in Rosemont, Illinois, offering interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. The 17th Annual TAGIE will be held on November 8th at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, IL.
