The Toy Association and People of Play Announce Merger

Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play, will be joining the senior leadership team at the association.

The Toy Association announced that People of Play (POP) and its assets will be merging into the association and that Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play, will be joining the senior leadership team at the Association. Couzin will be responsible for guiding the future and growth of this new addition to the Association, effective immediately.

People of Play's wide range of assets and events, including Chicago Toy and Game (CHITAG) Fair, The Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (The TAGIEs), the Bloom Report, Young Inventor Challenge, Toy & Game Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, Play in Education and POP Platforms, and the People of Play Holiday Guide will join The Toy Association's portfolio of world class events including Toy Fair New York, LA Fall Preview and The Toy Foundation's Toy of the Year Awards.

Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play, says, "Who knew that over 20 years ago, when I started Chicago Toy & Game Group, now People of Play, and hosted our first big event, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, to promote play, we would add so many events and initiatives as well as have such an amazing, long-lasting effect on the industry. By joining The Toy Association with their additional resources and new vision, we can strengthen our brands for generations to come. I'm thrilled that People of Play will continue to grow and flourish and want to thank everyone who has been a part of our initiatives. As we have shown, everything is possible when people of play collaborate."

Adding People of Play allows the Association to build on its ongoing strategy of creating meaningful experiences that connect the industry and consumers. Aligning with People of Play creates a deeper relationship with the inventor and design community, putting greater focus on creativity and innovation, one of the cornerstones of the toy industry. Additionally, with the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, People of Play will leverage The Toy Association resources to continue to grow one of the preeminent consumer experiences during the all-important holiday season.

"We saw the opportunity to be a catalyst for creativity and innovation by aligning with Mary Couzin and People of Play and utilizing our assets and experiences to help People of Play and its events grow," said Greg Ahearn, president and chief executive of The Toy Association. "Mary, a toy industry Hall of Famer, has built an amazing community with 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 as part of The Toy Association. With People of Play and The Toy Association working together, the possibilities are endless."

The 22nd annual holiday Chicago Toy and Game Fair, North America's largest consumer toy & game fair, will take place on November 9 and 10 in Rosemont, IL. The event is open to the public with experiential and immersive events and interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. The 17th annual Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (the TAGIEs), celebrating toy and game excellence worldwide, will take place on the evening of November 8th at Joe's Live in Rosemont, IL. If you are an inventor or student designer with ideas to pitch, sign up at the premier and largest Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference. For more information visit www.peopleofplay.com and www.toyassociation.org.