Toy Association SVP Mary Couzin Recognized by United Inventors Association

July 15, 2025 | The United Inventors Association (UIA) has named Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association™, as one of its Inspire Top 24 of 2024. This honor recognizes standout individuals who inspire innovation and drive change in the inventor community.

Couzin is well known in the global toy and game industry for her dedication to supporting the inventor and design community. After inventing, self-producing, and licensing her own toys and games, she turned her passion into building resources for fellow creators, founding DiscoverToysandGames.com and growing it into the largest co-op of toy and game inventors.

Since joining The Toy Association, Couzin has continued to expand opportunities for inventors of all ages and experience levels through People of Play and its events, building an influential platform that supports every stage of the inventor journey. She founded the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) in 2003 as a major U.S. celebration of play that connects inventors directly with consumers, and introduced experiences like the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, the TAGIE Awards, Young Inventor Challenge, and PlayCHIC fashion show to spotlight creativity and innovation.

CHITAG returns to Rosemont, IL this year from November 8 to 9 as “Wishlist Weekend,” which invites families and members of the media to kick off the holiday season by discovering and playtesting the hottest toys and games in person. Click here for more information on the event.

The United Inventors Association (UIA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting inventors and promoting innovation. It provides resources, education, and networking opportunities to inventors, entrepreneurs, and product developers. The Toy Association serves on the UIA’s The Toy Hub advisory board, which includes trusted industry experts and strives to help inventors navigate the toy business.