source: Toy Fair New York and Isaac Reynoso, ICF Next
As part of The Toy Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program, which works with a network of colleges and universities across the country to attract diverse, young talent to careers in the toy industry, students from the University of Maryland will have the opportunity to participate in a range of daily programming throughout Toy Fair®, taking place September 30 to October 3 in New York City.
Through the DEI program at Toy Fair, students will have the opportunity to take part in Student Congress, an exclusive day-long series of events for undergraduates of various disciplines to learn about and make connections within the toy industry, as well as other special programming that will provide them with insights into the toy industry and opportunities to be mentored and recruited by companies at the show.
Taking place on October 1, Student Congress will include networking breakfasts; a mentorship luncheon; and recruitment sessions held at TTF’s booth (#6913). Students will also hear from industry leaders at Beacon Media Group; Mattel; Otis College of Art and Design; Target; Thames & Kosmos; The Toy Association; and Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment about opportunities within the play community through Student Congress activities and Toy Fair University educational sessions. Click here for the full agenda. RSVPs are required for these events; to register, contact TTF staff.
In addition, University of Maryland students and faculty will be invited to attend the Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards, taking place on September 29 as the kickoff to Toy Fair. During the awards ceremony, TTF will celebrate the ongoing work of its DEI Pipeline Program, which is supported year-round by Jazwares, and students and faculty will be able to connect with companies during the pre-show networking hour.
“Jazwares is proud to support The Toy Foundation’s DEI Pipeline Program and build the next generation of diverse leadership for our industry,” said Sara Rosales Montalvo, senior vice president of communications at Jazwares. “We believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere, and we look forward to seeing the powerful discussions between industry professionals and students at the TOTY Awards and Toy Fair.”
Following a three-year hiatus, the toy industry’s leading trade show, Toy Fair, is returning to NYC’s Javits Center (9/30-10/3) and will be bigger and more visual than ever this year!
The show is expected to attract attendees from over 80 countries, with overall attendance up 6% from Toy Fair 2020 as of mid-August. That includes thousands of toy inventors and designers, manufacturers, toy buyers from retailers of all sizes, wholesalers, importers, entertainment executives, and more.
Toy companies from 38 countries and territories are exhibiting at Toy Fair 2023 – 356exhibitors will be there for the very first time, and there will be over 900 exhibiting companies in total, including LEGO, Spin Master, Playmobil and Build-a-Bear … as well as the makers of Squishmallows (Jazwares), Cookeez Makery (Moose Toys), the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures (Playmates), and more. All the excitement and innovation will be spread across the equivalent of nearly 8 football fields filled with toys.
Toy Fair is hosted by The Toy Association, leader of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $102.4 billion.
