Dear Toy Association Members,

If there’s one thing I love about our industry, it’s that we never stop creating what’s next. Over the last year, The Toy Association has been working to share in that spirit — constantly evolving, adapting, and creating new opportunities to help our members achieve their goals. Whether you’ve been part of this community for decades or are just starting out, our focus remains the same: to be in service of our members in ways that opens doors, builds bridges, and adds to your success.

And lately, those doors have opened wider than ever. Here’s a look at what’s new and how each initiative helps you.

Expanding Events to Create Value
Following our grand opening of The Toy Building in El Segundo last month, we continue to deliver incredible momentum for our industry this fall as we head to Chicago in just a few weeks. The upcoming lineup of events from People of Play™ celebrates every corner of the toy and game world — from the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference (November 5 to 9) to the Young Inventor Challenge (November 8) and the TAGIE Awards (November 8) — all culminating to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG, November 8 to 9) and the first-ever Wishlist Weekend™, a brand-new way for consumers to discover and play with the hottest toys of the season.

This new experience takes the excitement of CHITAG one step further, turning discovery into participation. Wishlist Weekend encourages kids and families to explore the latest toys and games firsthand and start building their wishlists in real time on the People of Play website.

These events connect inventors and manufacturers, products and consumers, and even kids with what will be the hottest toys of the holiday season. For members, it’s a chance to meet directly with inventors and see exciting new concepts, gain valuable media coverage for your key Q4 products, and directly engage with families who will support your brand for years to come. There are still plenty of ways to participate, and we hope you will! Reach out to Stacy Liebensohn, senior account executive at the Toy Association, with any questions on joining us.

And, of course, our Experiences team is hard at work to deliver what is shaping up to be an amazing 2026 Toy Fair New York, taking place February 14 to 17 at the Javits Center. Click here with interest to join hundreds of exhibiting companies or click here to register for the show.

A New Digital Home Designed for You
We know that your time is precious, and finding the right tools, data, and contacts shouldn’t be a scavenger hunt. That’s why we’re proud to debut our new and improved website, redesigned from the ground up to serve you better. In addition to easier access to insights, education, and exclusive data that help you grow, you’ll now find:

• A Small Business Hub where emerging and growing companies can quickly access tailored resources and guidance.
• A richer, more visual Experiences page that gives you a clear view of what’s coming and how to get involved.
• A new Advocacy section, simplifying how members can stay informed of our work and the policies and regulations that shape our industry.
• Our Latest News placed right on the homepage so you can see the most recent progress on key initiatives or important stories from around our industry.

New Talent = New Ideas
We are always looking to add talent to our Toy Association team, so I’m delighted to welcome Jeff Snyderman, our new chief financial officer; Maria Sierra, vice president of government affairs; and Lindsey Hueer, senior manager of state government affairs (Western states).

Jeff’s strategic and financial expertise — gained through CFO and top finance positions with Horizon Group USA and Toys “R” Us — brings industry-specific manufacturer and retailer knowledge that will help us better understand our members’ needs and build an even stronger foundation for our work ahead. Maria and Lindsey bring a wealth of experience and energy to our ongoing advocacy work at the federal and state levels. Advocacy remains one of our strongest pillars, whether we’re engaging with state legislators, representing our industry in Washington, D.C., or collaborating with partners around the world. These additions strengthen our presence at every level of government and make our members’ voices heard more clearly and consistently wherever policy decisions are made.

Together, these new announcements reflect one simple promise: The Toy Association will keep evolving, listening, and pushing forward to continue to bring opportunity to our members and the toy industry. I look forward to seeing many of you in Chicago and to share even more exciting developments as we head into 2026.

With appreciation and enthusiasm,
Greg Ahearn
President & CEO
The Toy Association™