Can We Preserve our Close-Knit Industry?
By Nancy Zwiers
Few major industries are as close-knit as the toy industry. Many people say they love their jobs, or their companies, but how many people say they love their industry. I know I do, and it begs the question: How did we become such a strong community full of business competitors? And amidst the changes wrought by the pandemic, how can we preserve this sense of shared community?
Let’s look at the ways we have forged connections beyond our own companies:
In the face of the pandemic, we’ve had to sacrifice much of the physical togetherness we’ve come to appreciate so much. Our virtual gatherings are a decent stop gap but surely not a replacement for physical togetherness IRL. While I suspect some events/shows may never regain their former glory of “perceived essentialness,” we can each do our part to help preserve a core slate of annual events that keep us coming together throughout the year. I know I’m not the only one who loves how close knit our industry is…let’s keep it that way!
McHALE DESIGN CASE STUDY: MONSTERVERSE- THE LEGEND CONTINUES…
Build-A-Bear Celebrates National Teddy Bear Day with Donation to The Toy Foundation™
Toy Foundation Auction is Now Open for Your Bids
Bracelets, Stickers, and Viral Fame: The Story Behind Sky Castle Toys’ Sticki Rolls
Chrissy Fagerholt: Luck is when Preparation Meets Opportunity!
Book Review: Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson
Book Review: Erno Rubik and his Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya
Game Review: Trip Chaser
Learning Express Toys Hosts 25th Annual Convention & Toy Expo at JW Marriott Tucson
Submit Your LA Showroom Details for 2025 Toy Previews
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
Steve Casino Peanut Art
Everyone's Talking about POP!
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer