Toy Association’s Anne McConnell Named to The Strong Museum’s Research, Interpretation, and Education Committee

July 31, 2019 | The Strong National Museum of Play has named The Toy Association’s Anne McConnell to the museum’s Research, Interpretation, and Education Committee. The Committee assists The Strong’s Board of Trustees in overseeing, directing, developing, and reviewing policies for the interpretive and educational programs at the museum, which includes physical and online exhibits, museum publications (such as the American Journal of Play), school lessons, and The Strong’s Woodbury School.

McConnell has more than 20 years of experience in market research and data analysis. She has been with the Toy Association since 2013 and in her role as senior director of market research and data strategy, she works closely with member companies to identify information needs. In addition, she fosters relationships with domestic and international research consultancies to share consumer research and business intelligence with toy industry stakeholders.

McConnell also leads the Association’s successful Knowledge Network webinar program, producing more than two dozen informative webinars for members each year. She also led the implementation of The Toy Association’s new online Safety Education Program.

“Everything that The Strong creates, displays, teaches, and publishes ties back to the museum’s mission—to study how play encourages learning, creativity, and discovery, while illuminating play in cultural history,” said Steve Dubnik, president and CEO of The Strong. “We’re pleased to add Anne McConnell to our Committee. Her wealth of experience in the world of toys and play will be extremely beneficial to help ensure that The Strong fulfills its important mission.”

Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association, added: “Anne’s work is an invaluable resource to The Toy Association’s members providing them with critical insights and innovative research that can help drive businesses success. Given Anne’s in-depth understanding of the toy marketplace, research into play, and commitment to continual learning, she is a perfect candidate for The Strong’s Committee. Anne is a fantastic member of the Association’s team and The Strong is certain to come to appreciate her as we all do.”

The Strong National Museum of Play, based in Rochester, NY, is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to play. It is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play and houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play.