Since joining The Toy Association, it has been an incredible few weeks of connecting with colleagues, both old and new, as I re-engage with this incredible community. I’ve been inspired and energized by the conversations about the potential of our industry and what’s to come!

I’d like to thank Andy Keimach, who did an outstanding job leading The Toy Association through transition. Like Andy, I plan to continue listening and taking to heart what you need from your trade association – whether you have been in the industry for decades, or your company is just emerging, our aim is to foster unity and collaboration that will help shape the future of toys and play.

The LA Fall Preview is a major opportunity for the industry to come together. To help companies of all sizes take part, The Toy Association has organized a location in El Segundo (the unofficial LA toy district) to showcase their 2025 lines. Companies representing almost every category of product will be engaging representatives from retail, licensing, and other adjacent industries throughout September, with a dedicated market week slated for Monday, September 9^th through Friday, September 13^th. You can learn more about the LA Fall Preview here and view the current list of participants (and make appointments with participants) here.

While the LA Fall Preview is first and foremost about building your business, the dedicated market week also brings festive events to deepen your relationships while celebrating play as an industry. Kicking off the week is “Party with a Purpose,” The Toy Foundation’s fundraiser for children’s hospitals. Hosted at TAO Los Angeles on the evening of Monday, September 9^th, the event will bring the industry together for great food and special programming, including entertainment from a Grammy-winning artist (to be announced soon) and an exciting auction of unique items and experiences. Best of all, proceeds from ticket sales (which are tax-deductible) and the auction will help bring play therapy resources to children’s hospitals across the country.  Ticket sales are open – you can get yours here.

The following evening, on Tuesday, September 10^th, The Toy Association is hosting a free come-one, come-all networking party at Otis College of Art & Design. If you are in LA at that time, and you are in the toy business, you won’t want to miss it. You’ll enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, get to explore the Otis studios, and see where the college’s toy design students bring their innovative toy creations to life. Tickets are complimentary, but you should still register in advance, so click here to reserve your spot.

To cap off the week, WiT’s Wonder Women Awards will be held the evening of Friday, September 13^th at the iconic Beverly Hilton! It is an amazing opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women across our great industry. Tickets can be purchased here.

The future is bright with many good things on the horizon. The Toy Association has great aspirations for our industry, and we are here to support you every step of the way. I plan to continue reaching out across the toy business over the next several weeks for input, but I also encourage you to reach out if you have ideas for how we can better serve you (or if you simply want to connect and catch up!). I can always be reached at gahearn@toyassociation.org. And I hope to see many of you this fall in LA!