Episode #149: Back In Person! The People Of Play Innovation Conference
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Finally, this beloved toy and game innovation conference returns in person. The People of Play Innovation Conference is the largest global innovation conference in the toy and game world, welcoming over 50 companies from across 17 countries to review pitches from students, new inventors, and professional inventors. If you’re new to the toy industry and you’ve heard rumblings about POP week or the Innovation conference, and you weren’t quite sure what either were…then this episode is just what you’ve been waiting for.
In today’s podcast episode, we dive into the details of how to register and why you should join the POP Inventor & Innovation conference. The Toy Coach explains how the re-branding of the conference is more than just a name change, but actually a separation of a public and private show! This episode dives into the details of the different conference tracks available, and how each track’s unique schedule is designed to help you have your most successful show ever. Learn about the Young Inventor’s Challenge, the TAGIE award show and much more in today’s detailed overview of the People of Play Inventor & Innovation Conference.
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This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.com
Attend The POP Inventor & Innovation Conference:
Design Student Track: Schedule & Details (contact POP for a student discount)
New Inventor Track: Application & Schedule & Details
Professional Inventor & Product Acquisition Track: Application | Schedule & Details
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[00:00:00] Azhelle Wade: You are listening to making it in the toy industry episode number 149.
[00:00:05] Hey there toy people, Azhelle Wade here. And welcome back to another episode of the toy coach podcast, Making it in the toy industry. This is weekly podcast brought to you by thetoycoach.com. Now, recently I caught up with Mary Couzin. The founder of people of play innovation conference, formerly known as CHITAG. Now Mary answered a few important questions about her upcoming innovation conference so that I could give you all the 4, 1, 1 right here in one place.
[00:00:48] Now the People Of Play innovation conference is in its 20th year. And the conference begins in just a few weeks on November 17th of this year. So in today's episode, we're going to cover what this innovation conference is all about. And I'll give you a quick overview of the rebrand of this conference, the different tracks available for students, new inventors, pro inventors. And for product acquisition, execs. So. First up, I'd like to address this big question. Big elephant in the What is the difference between shy tag and people play innovation conference? Well, The people play innovation conference was formerly lovingly known as shy tag by people in the toy industry.
[00:01:32] CHITAG is an acronym that stands for the Chicago toy and game fair. So previously CHITAG consisted of a public facing fair, where consumers and industry pros would come together under one roof. For an interactive trade show and innovation conference. It was a week where playtesting and pitching all happened simultaneously. With both conferences growing bigger and more complex year after year, the public fair and innovation conference have since been separated into two events. So let's talk about what those two different events are to start. First it's the Chicago toy and game fair. CHITAG, C H. I T a G.
[00:02:17] And this is a consumer facing event that promotes play and fun. This public Playfair will be held December 10th and 11th. And exhibitors are renting booths and tabletops in, and their goal is to play test their products. Meaning to try out different products on consumers and also promote and sell their products. So this year, the event is moving to Rosemont entertainment complex in Chicago. This event will remain in Chicago year after year. There will also be a lot of media coming to this event.
[00:02:51] So it's safe to say that toy and game companies will have media activations planned now activations are like immersive marketing promotions and they might include something like a tournament. Giveaways experiential play opportunities and more. Now about 30,000 people are expected to attend Shai tag. And if you're interested in exhibiting, you can get a 10 by 10 booth for 1200 or a table for about $600. Now. W is another perk of this show is that all expenses of exhibiting at the show because of the location, the carpeting, signage tables and chairs are 30% lower than a normal trade show.
[00:03:34] So take advantage of the discounted pricing that's available because of the location chosen. Now trade guests and media can get into this show for free. So if your media, if you are in the industry, looking for new product, this is a show you can attend for free. Now let's talk about the big focus of today's episode, the people have play a K a pop inventor and innovation conference. This conference is part of what's called pop week, or people have play week. The event begins November 17th and concludes Sunday, November 20th.
[00:04:12] This year in 2022, this event will be hosted by radio flyer. That toy company that is famous for their red wagon. And held in Chicago, but next year, and for years to come, this show is going to be on the move. So toy manufacturers will have the opportunity to host the event and bring the pop innovation conference to their town. So this year pop week includes the inventor challenges, a roast, the young inventors challenge. , the toy and game international. And excellence awards and not to mention the conference itself. So let's dive into the details of everything happening and how you can get involved.
[00:04:54] So first step. What is the people of play inventor and innovation conference. And why should you attend? Well, this event is the longest running toy and game inventor innovation event worldwide with four different conference tracks tailored to fit your needs. This event is for design students, new inventors, pro inventors, and toy manufacturers. Looking for that next big product. Now, why should you attend dozens of toy companies will be in attendance and you can pitch your ideas and network with some of the biggest names in the toy industry.
[00:05:32] Now you've heard, we mentioned that there are different tracks, different conference tracks available for this event, but what does that really mean? Well, let's start looking at all of the different tracks piece by piece, starting with the student track and the new inventor track. Okay. So the design student track and new inventor innovation tracks the first big question is who is eligible for either of these tracks. Well, if you are a new inventor or a design student and you have a pop profile, then you are eligible for the new inventor track or the design student track.
[00:06:11] The main prerequisite is that you need to pay for at least one month of a pot profile. If you don't know what pop is, what the pot profile is. Well, pop people of play profile is kind of like the IMDP of the toy business. Okay. So what is it for students and new inventors? This track is your opportunity to pitch ideas directly to manufacturers, investors, retailers, and product acquisition executives. The design student track has a detailed calendar taking place Thursday through Saturday.
[00:06:45] That includes daily breakfast, keynote speakers, panel discussions, speed pitch meetings, advice from experts, a daily evening reception, and a ticket to the taggy award ceremony. During the speed pitch event on Thursday from 12 to 2:00 PM, companies are walking around to see what the students and new inventors have to offer. Mattel is actually setting aside 15 minutes to meet with every new inventor. So now you might be wondering where do I register? Well, if you want to view the entire schedule for the student design track, and more importantly, if you want to register for this track, head over to thetoycoach.com/149, where I will have a link waiting for you.
[00:07:31] All you need to do is look for the link that says register for the student design track or new inventor track. And we will link you right over there. Okay, let's talk about the professional inventor track and the product acquisition execs track. Who is eligible for either of these tracks. Well to be eligible for the professional inventor track as an individual or a design studio, you either must have licensed three products before, or if you are a toy manufacturer or looking to be part of the product acquisition, executive track. You have to be a company who has licensed three products in the past.
[00:08:08] The reason for this limitation is to create a really high level experience for the companies attending and for the new inventors attending. Nobody wants to waste their time pitching to a company who has never licensed product before. And the companies attending this event would really love to see some professional pitches during the professional inventor pitch meetings. Okay. Now, what is this track? This track of the innovation conference is an exclusive invitation only track for professional inventors to meet with product acquisition executives, one on one.
[00:08:45] Now there are over 50 companies from 17 countries that are joining the product acquisition executive track. And they're going to be at this event. To schedule meetings and meet with inventors and review product ideas, and fact meetings are getting booked right now. So if you get yourself signed up, you can book meetings ASAP. Now, everybody on this track are provided a detailed schedule of events over four days. And a secure contact list. Where they can reach out to the inventors participating in this track, or the inventors can reach out to the toy companies that will be in attendance for pitch meetings.
[00:09:29] And that this list is shared. So pitch meetings can be booked in advance of the conference. So, let me break down how that works. Once you're on this track. Once you get sent the secure list, of all contacts, you'll reach out to whoever you want to meet with and their Calendly link or their event scheduling link might be readily available on the secure list that you are sent. But if it isn't, then you can just reach out to them via email and request a time to meet. Once you have booked a time to meet, this year, the inventors and executives are choosing where to meet and many of the meetings are being held in the inventors suites.
[00:10:13] So after booking meetings via via Calendly or acuity, whatever app you use. The participants in the meeting decide where they want to meet or who sweet they'll meet in. Now. I know you're like, oh, we have to meet in my room. That's so weird, but don't worry. You will have privacy. This hotel is designed for meetings like this. The bedroom of the suite is actually separate from the main kitchen net meeting area. So you will have a private space in your room for your things outside of that bedroom space. There is a little meeting area and a little kitchen net, and there will be a gift bag waiting for you.
[00:10:51] When you first check into your room, maybe you can use some of those suites is like a welcome candy bowl for your meeting guests. Now where to register to register for this ProTrack you first have to fill out an application form online, because remember, this is invitation The form asks questions like this. What have you invented? What has your company licensed? If your application is approved, you are going to then be sent an invitation to join this track. There are limited number of seats available. So if you have not received an invitation to join this track,
[00:11:27] Make sure you reach out to Mary cousin before all of the slots are taken. You can still apply the link to the application is going to be at thetoycoach.com/149. Just look for the mentioned in this episode section. All of the links I'm promising you will be saved there. Now, overall the track that you were on in this event determines the schedule that you will follow. For the conference. And these schedules are designed and planned so that you will have the most successful event possible depending on your position in the toy industry. So for example, if you are a student or a new inventor, your schedule will focus around.
[00:12:12] Informative panels on new toy creation. What's coming up in the industry and trends. If you're a pro inventor, you'll have a lot of space in your calendar for scheduling pitch meetings. But whatever track you're on Marion says that you don't forget the true value of these events are the networking opportunities that are built into every calendar. You could meet someone important in any event. I mean, there's the breakfast every day, the cocktail hours, the taggy award shows.
[00:12:42] There is this welcoming feeling at this event, executives and toy industry pros are happy to connect with and offer advice to the community of new and pro inventors coming to this innovation conference. Now we can't talk about people of play Or the innovation conference without mentioning the taggies, the taggies are the toy and game international excellence awards. In 2022, the taggies are being held at the historic epiphany hall. This award show celebrates. Toy creators from all across the globe for various categories, from rising star to game changer, to innovative art and visuals and so much more.
[00:13:27] Lifetime achievement honorees this year include Alan Hassenfeld. Who's the former chairman of the board and present chairman of the executive committee of Hasbro, Leslie Scott, founder of Oxford games, inventor of Jenga, and much more. Kuntoro told me Yama chairman, CEO of Tomi co, which was founded in 1924 by his grandfather. Now the keynote of the evening will be given by Ben Varady co-founder of spin master and currently EVP and chief. Creative officer and a member of the board of directors and black inventors got game a film produced by James Howard will be honored with the game changer of the year award.
[00:14:12] At this event, I've seen a bit of this film and it's incredible. If you don't know last year I was honored with the taggy game changer award. It's really exciting to see black toy industry professionals receiving this award two years in a row. You know, I have often talked about how this industry doesn't have a lot of black people in it, and we're trying to find us and bring us all together. And to me, this says. So much for how this industry is growing and expanding to welcome and uplift the black community within it. So congrats black inventors got game and James Howard, for this win for game changer of the year.
[00:14:57] Now of course as always, Kari bean will be back as the event host of the TAGIES. She's already been posting photos of her dress on LinkedIn. It looks great. Kari, can't wait to see which one you choose. Right now voting is closed for the taggies for 2022, but you can apply again June 1st of next year. So if you are anyone without toy on the market, a hot toy or game on the market, whether you're a kid or an adult. Mitt mark your calendar for June 1st and apply for the taggies next year. It's a huge win in the toy industry. If you win this award.
[00:15:39] It's a huge statement in the toy industry. If you win this award. And the tag uses always great fun. It's a beautiful event. It's exciting to celebrate each other. So if you are going, make sure that the tag is on your calendar. You cannot miss this. Now, before we close out this episode, I do want to talk about. The young inventor challenge at radio flyer. The young inventor challenge happens every year. Kids ages six to 18 with new ideas that are not currently on the market are eligible to apply.
[00:16:13] If you're out on the market, you can't apply for the young inventor challenge, but you can apply for a taggy award next year. So get ready for that. Now what's really cool about this event is that. Sometimes the winners products get licensed by companies and sometimes even kids that don't when their products are seen by companies who are interested in licensing it as well. The winner of last year's young inventor challenge now has a hot game out with Goliath called chicken poop. Bingo. So yeah, if you win this event is a, there's a big likelihood someone's going to license your game.
[00:16:51] But even if you don't win, you get a huge, huge exposure to professional toy executives who are acting as the judges in this event and can then see your product and consider licensing it. So incredible opportunity for kids ages six to 18 to invent their own toys and new registration is closed for this year. So make a mark on your calendar to apply to the young inventor challenge for next year. And if you're wondering where that link is, we will add the link in the show notes so you can join the young inventor challenge.
[00:17:27] Before we close out today's episode, I've got to give a listener spotlight to all of the new, incredible creators. Joining me now inside of toy creators academy. I am thrilled to get started with you guys. Thursday is our first meeting together. And we will be together for 12 weeks as you are introduced to the toy industry. And eventually getting you ready for our next pitch event. Okay, let's get into your action item of what to do for next week. Well, I want you to head over to thetoycoach.com/149 and scroll down.
[00:18:05] Look for a mentioned in this episode where you will see links to register for the people of play week. Inventor and innovation conference. Choose the track that best fits you. Whether it's student design, track, new inventor, track, professional track, and start the application, or look at the schedule and details. I don't want you to miss this opportunity to connect with dozens of toy companies from across the globe. If you're really not ready to go to this toy show this year, then I want you to mark your calendars now for about a month earlier next year, so that you are alerting yourself next October, 2023.
[00:18:46] To get ready for this conference to save up or to plan for this conference. Now, if you are a young inventor, there's also a link at thetoycoach.com/149 for you to apply to next year's young inventors challenge and to read about what the young inventor challenge is. And I believe there are even some videos and images, all about the young inventors challenge at the link. I'm going to provide you in the show notes. And if you are a young person in the toy industry or a pro in the toy industry that has a toy currently on the market, and you have not ever applied for a TAGIE award.
[00:19:26] I'm going to give you the link to get that started as well. Now, applications are closed. Voting is closed for this year, but again, let's make that note on your calendar and get you signed up for next year. Okay. As always, thank you so much for spending this time with me today. I know your time is valuable and that there are a ton of podcasts out there. So it truly means the world to me that you tune into this one. Until next week. I'll see you later toy people.
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