The Genius of Play Becomes ‘Play Collaborator’ with the US Play Coalition

December 5, 2016 | The Genius of Play, the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) research-backed initiative to bring more play into kids’ lives, has engaged in a new partnership to become a play collaborator with the US Play Coalition.

The Genius of Play will be a highly visible partner and participate in a featured educational session during the US Play Coalition’s annual conference, “The US Play Coalition 2017 Conference on the Value of Play: Where Design Meets Play,” taking place on April 2-5, 2017 in Clemson, SC, as it continues to spread its message about the important developmental benefits of play.

The US Play Coalition is an international network including educators, parents, physicians, health scientists, park and recreation professionals, psychologists, and more, who recognize play as a valuable and necessary part of a healthy and productive life.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the US Play Coalition on their biggest event, the annual conference on the value of play!” said Anna Yudina, TIA’s director of marketing initiatives. “By becoming a play collaborator with the coalition, The Genius of Play will be able to reach hundreds of play professionals and advocates to help amplify our message of raising happier and healthier kids through the power of play. What’s more, our missions are perfectly aligned, which means there will be many opportunities to collaborate on various initiatives in the future.”

Attendees at the conference will be able to take part in and listen to keynote and featured speakers, play institutes, PLAYtalks, a research symposium, educational sessions, roundtables, grant opportunities, networking, and opportunities for play, according to the coalition’s website.  

Stephanie Garst, executive director of the US Play Coalition, said: “We are thrilled to break new ground with our play collaboration with The Genius of Play. You can’t think of children and toys without thinking of play…it just makes sense! We are big fans of the work The Genius of Play is doing on social media to educate people on the meaning and the value of play. It is this work that truly brought us together.”

TIA members interested in attending the US Play Coalition’s conference will receive $50 off the non-member registration by using the code “GOP2017.” For more information and to register for the conference, members can click here.

Members who would also like to reach influencers in the play space are invited to become US Play Coalition conference sponsors. "By becoming a sponsor, members can show their support of play while keeping up with cutting-edge research and top trends in the play space,” said Yudina.

Members who are interested in becoming a sponsor for the US Play Coalition conference may contact TIA’s Anna Yudina (646.520.4859) for information.