TIA Board Approves Recommendation to Defer ToyCon Until 2011

Postponement is fiscally responsible and provides time for reinvention and rejuvenation

October 5, 2009 | At its meeting today in Dallas, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) Board of Directors unanimously approved a recommendation from Association staff and the ToyCon Committee to postpone next year’s annual leadership conference. 

Prompted by discussions raised during ToyCon 2009, Reinvention and Rejuvenation – New Ways to Thrive in Challenging Times, staff and members of the program committee recommended to the TIA Board that the current economic climate makes 2010 an appropriate year to be fiscally conservative while also providing the time needed to “re-invent and re-juvenate” the event.

“Based on the success and excitement we had around this year’s ToyCon, we want to build on the feedback received and lessons learned,” explained Arete Passas, ToyCon chair.  “We want to deconstruct the conference and rebuild it to make it even more relevant to multiple audiences.  Moving forward with plans for an event in 2010 just wouldn’t give us enough time to accomplish what we want to do.  And, since many companies will still have travel restrictions in place next year, this seems like the perfect time to make a change.”

Typically, ToyCon attendees included mid- and senior-level managers across the toy industry.  One suggestion currently under consideration is a re-introduction of the popular TIA Multi-Discipline Conferences. 

The ToyCon committee welcomes and is encouraging additional feedback from TIA members and past attendees.  Ideas can be submitted to Kimberly Carcone, TIA’s director of trade show and event marketing.

The 2010 annual business meeting will be rescheduled and held in conjunction with the American International Toy Fair (Toy Fair) in February. 

The new date will be May 4-6, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch.