Chicago Toy Show Taps Key Speakers

Playthings Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 10/25/2012 6:54:00 AM

CHICAGO - The Chicago Toy & Game Group (CHItag) has named its keynote speakers for the 6th annual International Toy & Game Inventor and Industry Conference (T&GCon), Nov.15 and 16 at Navy Pier. The conference takes place during the annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair, Nov. 14-18.

The 2012 keynote speakers include Ira Hernowitz, global head of "R" Brands at Toys"R"Us and Babies"R" Us; Kevin Harrington, chairman and founder of TVGoods Inc. and chairman of As Seen on TV Inc.; Jeff Jones, founder and principal of Jones Innovation Works; Mark T. Reyland, executive director of the United Inventors Association of America; and Brian Torney, co-founder, Otherdoor Entertainment and director of Entertainment Brands, Manifest Digital.

This year's conference features more than 60 speakers from over 15 countries, including companies such as Mattel, Hasbro, Spin Master, Ravensburger, Toys"R"Us, Flair, PlaSmart, Marbles the Brain Store, and more. The two-day conference will also feature Social Media at Play (SMAPcon) on Friday, November 16th, which will explore the socialization of play, and feature panels of expert speakers in social and digital media who will discuss tools, techniques and new trends from integration to engagement to measurement.

This year's Chicago Toy & Game Fair, now in its tenth year, will also feature the 5th Annual Young Inventors Challenge (YIC) on Nov. 17 and some life-size games and competitions. In celebration of its anniversary, the Chicago Toy & Game Group recently reported a record expected 25,000-plus to attend this year's conference.