10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 10:37
Contact: Amy Friedland
Emily Potrzuski
Susan O'Sullivan
People of Play PR
973.470.0400
October 9, 2024 | Chicago, IL - People of Play's Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, the largest and longest running toy and game inventor conference in the world, has announced toy industry movers and shakers as keynotes!
This year's conference, sponsored by Mattel, Moose Games, Longshore, The Michael Kohner Corporation, and TradeShowBooth.com will be held November 6 to 9 at the Embassy Suites in Rosemont, Illinois. Attendees and registered inventors can get ready to learn, pitch, and network their way to success with some of the most recognizable brands in the toy and game industry, with more than 50 companies and 20 countries represented so far.
Azhelle Wade, The Toy Coach, will be this year's emcee. All attendees will receive a reusable gift tote with treats from Moose Games.
The conference kicks off on November 7 at 9 a.m. with Keynotes:
Mentoring Day:
Each new inventor and university design student is paired with one of the product acquisition executives as well as given a list of mentors to schedule meetings with, including industry experts such as Nancy Zwiers, Steve Rad, Joe Campos, Amy Friedland, Robert Coleman, Rachel Griffin, Rob Yusim, Lisa Wuennermann, Jason Keener, and many more to be announced.
"If you have a product idea, you need to be at this conference. We pride ourselves in creating the right environment so that both new and professional inventors can learn from each other, make the right connections and move forward - whether they have a winning idea or if it's a steppingstone to the next one," said Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association.
Conference participants can choose from four tracks:Conference Committee Chairperson and Hasbro's Head of Inventor Relations and External Innovation Angus Walker said: "I look forward to the POP Inventor Conference and The Toy & Game Innovation Awards (The TAGIEs) every year. The toy and game community is an amazing group of people. This event amplifies all that is great about it. Where else can creators, inventors, manufacturers, retailers, and toy & game companies all come together for a few days to learn, share cool ideas and, if lucky, make that connection that leads to the next big thing? The energy is so positive, and it reminds us of how lucky we are to do what we do. The POP Inventor Conference is not just about feeling good and celebrating our great industry, though. It's an essential component of Hasbro's external innovation strategy."
The Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference Committee Members include:Registration details can be found on the ChiTAG website. Conference tickets also include The Toy & Game Innovation Awards (The TAGIEs) on November 8 at 6 p.m. at Joe's Live, a gala celebrating the outstanding innovations by people in the toy and game industry.
About People of Play™peopleofplay.com
People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, supports the global toy and game industry in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity. A one-stop source of community for industry professionals, aspiring inventors and people of all ages who love to play, People of Play hosts a play platform packed with resources and connection points as well as a wide range of events including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference, and more.
About the POP Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conferencechitag.com/2024-inventor-pitch-innovation-conference
Founded in 2006, the Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference is the largest gathering of professional inventors, new inventors, student inventors, and product acquisition executives in the world. Attendees come from approximately 25 countries to pitch ideas, network, learn, and celebrate the toy and game inventor community.
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