Toy Fair® University Education to Explore the Metaverse and its Impact on Play

May 26, 2023 | Learn about ChatGPT, marketing and gameplay in the metaverse, and how to leverage Web3 technology to work for your brand through a new track of Toy Fair University’s educational programming, taking place throughout Toy Fair® from September 30 to October 3 in New York City.

“So many of the current conversations around the metaverse, Web3, and generative AI tools are often met with more questions than answers, which is why these sessions are such an exciting addition to Toy Fair University,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “They give attendees a play-by-play of how to take advantage of these emerging technologies. We are proud that Toy Fair® continues to provide the most forward-looking insights into parallel spaces of opportunity for toymakers and brand owners.”

Showgoers will learn about how business and play are intersecting in the metaverse through a range of sessions, including:

How the Toy Industry Can Use Generative AI (September 30)

This session will unpack ChatGPT, Dall-E2, and other generative AI programs and how the toy industry can utilize these new tools to weave more powerful narratives around products and fuel toy ideation through marketing.

Imagination Connected: Bringing ‘Creative Toys’ to the Metaverse (October 1)

Dubit, a metaverse studio and research consultancy, will share extensive data and insight into how physical creative toy owners can expand their brands into virtual spaces and how to best merge digital and physical play.

The Phygital Flywheel (October 1)

In this session, attendees will learn how to leverage Web3 technology to creatively repurpose existing brand efforts to create a new revenue stream and a stronger bond with their consumers.

Brands & The Metaverse: Why It's Important for Brands Now (October 1)

The session will offer a 101 introduction to the metaverse: what it is and why it matters to brands today, as well as share examples of toy brands succeeding in the metaverse.

Kids and The Creator Economy (October 3)

Kid-trepreneurs are building games within worlds like Roblox, influencing others through their platforms on TikTok and YouTube, and driving toy sales faster than TV advertising ever did. Learn how to tap into the new generation of creators to turbo-charge your brand.

The full lineup of Toy Fair University educational programming is curated to address the most pressing needs of the global toy industry. Toy Fair will take place September 30 to October 3 at the Javits Center in New York City. Visit ToyFairNY.com for more information.