On February 19th, 2023 the ASTRA Toy Boat embarked on its first ever journey to the Bahamas, with an inspiring line-up of speakers including the founder of The Black Inventors Hall of Fame, James Howard, Mary Couzin of People of Play, and Dr. Amanda Gummer of the Good Play Guide. Specialty toy and game retailers and manufacturers were excited about the unique opportunity to exhibit on the open sea. 

During the event, The Toy Coach met up with former podcast guests, and exhibiting Toy Creators Academy Alumni including Marjorie Spitalnik, Founder of Little Rebels, Arturo Alvarez, Founder of Nobory Toys, and CJ Charles, Founder of My Mother Is A Superhero.

Based on the incredible lineup of speakers, the schedule of events, and the industry buzz about the toy boat, the ASTRA staff knew it was critical that this one-of-a-kind floating trade show was a success.

The ASTRA toy boat was announced industry wide in March of 2022. The board of ASTRA voted in favor of embarking on this unique voyage with the goal to combine the traditional toy industry trade show experience with a family friendly, community building, multi-city event.

The result? 

Phenomenal. Throughout the event, attendees raved about how the relaxing atmosphere aboard made it easy to deepen existing relationships and form new ones. At first, the daily setup and takedown of vendor tables seemed like a drawback, but Clara Roque Palacios North America Sales Manager of Miniland used the daily setup and takedown to her advantage, setting up different products each day, and thus creating a rotating display that kept buyers coming back and intrigued day after day.

The pressure to sell, buy, and network was eased by ongoing access to high quality dining, unlimited beverages, and afternoons relaxing on the beach. 

Over the four days of this Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas, attendees had the option to join in on a detailed agenda of events ranging from cocktail parties, educational speakers, game demos, vendor shows, the infamous ASTRA ToySync battle and so much more.

Day 0: Pre-Cruise Party on Sunday, February 19, 2023

But before we started cruising, Fun In Motion Toys held a Pre-Cruise Warehouse Party, with food, drinks, fire dancers, jugglers, live music, a game room, and fun photo ops! ASTRA made it easy for attendees to pick up their Toy Boat event badges at the Pre-Cruise party. This was an a great time to survey who would be joining us on the cruise, and make last-minute meeting plans!

Day 1: ALL ABOARD THE SHIP ON Monday, February 20, 2023

On day 1, ASTRA held a private cocktail welcome party opened with a heartfelt speech given by the ASTRA Board Chairperson TJ Simmons. Once the official party began, it wasn’t long before the Fun In Motion toy crew took over the stage with juggling, and acrobatics that had everyone pulling out their phones to record. Shortly thereafter, the DJ (aka my new best friend) played the Cupid’s Shuffle, and the dance floor nearly overflowed with excited ASTRA members who wanted to join in on the playful group line dance. 

Day 2: Fun Day at CocoCay Bahamas on Tuesday, February 21, 2023

By day 2 we were in CocoCay, a private island in the Bahamas. After the vendor show in the morning, many of us excitedly made our way to the beach, took in the sun, enjoyed a burger, fries, a pina colada or two, and made our way back to the ship on time for the “Design Today to Grow Tomorrow” talk by Sunny Su, Growth and Marketing Executive of Paradigm. After Sunny’s talk, Lisa Orman of Kidstuff PR, gave “PR Tips & Strategies for Retailers and Vendors” in which she boldly shared her own experience understanding white privilege and how she could use her platform to help black and brown creators gain more visibility. (You rock Lisa!)

Day 3: Full Day At Sea, Selling and Playing With Toys and Games on Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Day 3 was a full day at sea for the ASTRA toy boat and was filled with 3 hours of vendor tables and 6 educational sessions covering topics from Build Stronger Business Relationships, to how to generate 10,000 Ideas in 10 Minutes. Yet it was the ASTRA Toy Sync that stole the show on this day, with a dramatic performance of Guns and Roses, Sweet Child of Mine and a hilarious performance of Like a Virgin. But it was Stella Burns, the daughter of Betty Burns, Creative Director at Angellina's Toy Boutique and ASTRA member who stole the show and the win.

A few ASTRA members kept the good times going at a Karaoke event that started up right after LipSync where the founders of The Toy Coach, Good Play Guide, and Little Rebels all teamed up for a fun trio performance of Katy Perry’s roar.

Day 4: Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday, February 23, 2023

Just when we thought the good times were coming to an end, we woke up on Day 4 in Nassau Bahamas, and after a short time vending products for our incredible 1:1 clients, and holding impromptu interviews with attendees, we made our way down to the port where we had to make the ultimate decision. Pirate Museum? or Beach?

We chose the Pirate Museum.

The ASTRA Agenda for Day 4 ended with a game night and farewell reception in the ships’ Solarium. At that time Fun in Motion toys put on a glow in the dark juggling act with crowd AND crew participation. It was epic. At 9:30 pm this event ended, but for many of us, the night went on as we danced the night away in the Sky Lounge on Deck 14. 

At 4:30 pm we were all aboard once again and the ship set sail for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before the evening ASTRA events began, many members took advantage of the on board athletic activities like rock-climbing, surfing, and waterslides while others enjoyed the premium dining experiences of restaurants like Johnny Rockets

As much fun as this floating toy trade show was, it was equally great for business. Sales were made, relationships strengthened, and opportunities formed. It’s safe to say that ASTRA, The Guiding Star of the Specialty Play Industry made history by hosting this one-of-a-kind toy industry educational & networking event aboard a cruise ship.

Watch our video recap of the astra toy boat:

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