Toy and Game Inventors Get Their Moment(s)

Hi Rory, It is near impossible to reach this caliber of industry execs, they make an exception for this event and speak to every attendee and answer every question. There were licensing deals and retail deals last year and the speakers gave their contact info to new inventors. It is a unique gathering worldwide. The speakers enjoy the mentoring and being able to network with one another in a relaxed atmosphere. There are top execs from: Manufactures: Hasbro, Spin Master, Razor, Out of the Box, Buffalo Games, Fundex, Discovery Bay Games, Top Trumps, Sybarit, Cartamundi and more to come. Retailers: Sears, Barnes and Noble, Borders, ToysRUs and more to come. Top Inventors: Daryl Hannah and Hilary Shepard (actresses and inventors), Bruce Lund, Peggy Brown, Leslie Scott, Kim Vandenbroucke, Colleen McCarthy Evans and more to come. Consultants: Richard Gottlieb, Richard Gill, Tim Walsh, Tracy Dudkiewicz, Dana Campagna Lanham and more to come. Play Promoters: Toy Industry Association, Strong National Museum of Play and more to come. And you could get to know them personally over a couple of days - even share some beers at the Billy Goat Tavern. They are closing it down for our group on Thursday night. It really is an amazing event.

Reading all these comments, I'm feeling some real disappointment that I won't be there this year...unless I can find an excuse to fly back from Ireland after a trip to Boston from the 9-14th Nov. Having gone through the process of designing Rory's Story Cubes®, and finally getting to the point of arranging UK distribution with a possible US license in time for the New York Toy Fair in February, I know that life would have been much easier if I had gone to TAGIE last year. Even with a game already on the market, what value would there be in attending? I thinking how I can justify the time and expense to travel from Northern Ireland? p.s. Phelim, I would love to get in touch if you are interested in meeting in Ireland? Rory Storycubes.com

I agree with Kay. Anyone with an interest in inventing/designing a game or toy should NOT miss the TAGIE conference. You will learn so much about the industry from the experts who will guide you with such invaluable advice! Barbara Jenkins www.couplelinksgame.com

I attended last year and was delighted. The sessions were great - full of info, entertaining, and thought provoking. The people (experts and other attendees alike) were even better - supportative, caring and fun. I highly recommend it to those just starting out or further along in the process. You won't be disappointed. Kay Emerson www.zilliogames.com

What a great endorsement for a great event, Richard! I’d like to add that the Young Inventor’s Challenge portion is a fantastic opportunity for kids. The ideas of our children are the future and they need to be inspired. Many creative idea contests around the country are sponsored by corporations. ChiTAG’s competition is not. Besides the obvious rare opportunity of showing their ideas to the major toy and game manufactures, just the experience alone will influence their entire lives. Mike Hirtle shared with me a great story. (Hope he doesn’t mind me mentioning it and I hope I tell it correctly.) Mike walked up to a young inventor and asked, “Tell me what you have here.” The young girl explained, “ This game is called _____. It’s played by _______. And the goal is to ________.” Mike exclaimed, “That’s fantastic. That’s exactly how I wish all inventors would present their ideas.” What Mike did for that young girl’s self-esteem, motivation, inspiration, etc will stay with her forever.” Every single child in America has the tools to create a great idea and the Young Inventor’s Challenge is the perfect place to present those ideas! Help spread the word to our kids! Thanks again, Richard. Anna www.ideasplash.org www.facebook.com/ideasplash

Last year, when I accessed some websites hailing the TAGIE event as the premier toy and game industry event of its kind, for novice to expert inventors and entrepreneurs seeking creativity and business enlightenment and invaluable networking opportunities, I became very dubious of this Holy Grail. This was too good to be true. Meet face-to-face with the top professionals and legends of the toy and game industry and get advice on every aspect of the marketing mix (product, price, promotion and place) via empirical examples and how it can work for your business. But I was so wrong. For me, living in Ireland, I had no business, but had many ideas and was looking for a change in career. I found myself gravitating towards the arena of game and toy design. Luckily, I discovered that this event was not only for existing industry members and equally not exclusively for the American audience. I contacted Mary Couzin who immediately allayed any of my doubts. I like to thank Mary Couzin (and all the attendees) for a fantastic conference and expo plus great social nights out (including The Toy and Game Industry Awards Dinner!) and for asking kate Hennessey to find some accommodation for me. It was grately appreciated. The entire experience was very enlightening and was definately worth the journey to Chicago. I feel more equipped with both creative and marketing knowledge about making the next step in the game design business. The city was very beautiful and the people were very friendly, both the novices like me, and the established professionals including Michael Hirtle, Richard, Keith Meyers, Ellen Darlene her husband (to name a few). I never felt like a stranger (as I can be shy at times). These experts more than met me half way (often ensuring that I was not alone). They were equally very approachable and always made time for any queries. I look forward to attending this year, because I believe that I'm in safe hands with these experts.

I attended last year and completely agree with Richard about the event being enjoyable and meaningful or very educational. I will also attend again this year.