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On my way to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair
November 15, 2007
I am sitting in LaGuardia Airport waiting for my flight to Chicago. I am on my way to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, also known as Chi-Tag. It is my first visit to this one of a kind (in the US) consumer oriented show and I am very interesting in seeing how the various manufacturers market their products to the thousands of children, parents, grandparents and toy lovers who will be in attendance.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Chi-Tag, it is based upon the highly successful Essen Fair in Germany. The idea is to allow consumers to actually play with the toys and games they see, and by so doing, purchase at the show and / or create buzz about products. It is also a great place for manufacturers to meet the press (different than that which you get in New York) and get the word out there about their toys and games .
There are also going to be numerous seminars and panel discussions. I have been asked to do some speaking as well as emcee a panel on toy safety. I am intrigued by this safety panel as it will include a lead in statement from Senator Dick Durbin (who has been very animated about the toy recalls) and a panel that includes Joan Lawrence, Vice President, Standards and Regulatory Affairs for the Toy Industry Association and Don Mays, Senior Director of Product Safety Planning and Technical Administration at Consumers Union (CU), publisher of Consumer Reports. These are smart, informed people so it should make for a lively discussion.
So, it’s off to Chicago. More later!
Posted by Richard Gottlieb on November 15, 2007 | Comments (0)
