Welcome to T&GCon
Toy & Game Inventor and Industry Conference
TWO DAYS THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU PLAY!
The toy industry's preeminent, most comprehensive conference available to
toy and game inventors and seasoned industry professionals
Since 2006, T&GCon has been a forum advocating, educating and bringing together people in the toy and game industry for invaluable networking and educationsal opportunities, creating a unique framework for success for each and every attendee.
The toy industry's preeminent, most comprehensive conference available to
toy and game inventors and seasoned industry professionals
You've invented the 'next big' toy or game idea - Congratulations! Now where do you go from here, and what steps do you take to bring that idea to the next level? How do you move forward with the design, manufacturing, outsourcing, packaging, distribution and marketing? What does it take to get your product licensed? Where can you go to present your idea to top industry decision makers? The answers you're looking for are all at T&GCon, where we have assembled the most knowledgeable experts in the toy and game industry to help you take those next steps and turn your idea into a reality.
Toy Industry Professionals
Come to discover new toy and game concepts, share and connect with your peers in a relaxed, idea-charged atmosphere! T&GCon is a forum for toy and game industry experts, independent inventors, designers, manufacturers, retailers, consultants and related professional services firms to share knowledge, learn about new trends, pool resources and generate new business opportunities. With unrivaled opportunities for education, networking, and face-to-face interaction, T&GCon is the premier toy and game industry event of its kind!
Held on Thursday and Friday, November 15 - 16, 2012 at Chicago's Navy Pier, T&GCon precedes and is associated with the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG)
T&GCon Topics Include:
- Priceless insights for launching your new product, including design, manufacturing, packaging, outsourcing & protecting ideas
- Solid advice on licensing your prototype or product to toy or game companies
- Tips to increase sales and distribution of current products
- Social Media at Play - The ABC's of Social Media and how to integrate social media strategies into your marketing mix
- Outstanding, unrivaled networking opportunities for inventors and industry professionals alike
Your T&GCon Registration Includes:
- Attendance at T&G Con - Two days of informative, interactive panel discussions with industry experts
- Social Media at Play - Exclusive, in-depth full-day (Friday) sessions on New Media Marketing with expert social media practitioners
- Two days of networking breakfasts, lunches, coffee breaks and dinners
- Optional display table at T&GCon to present your product(s) to industry inventor relations executives
- One-on-One Consultations with toy industry experts
- Private networking dinner event at D4 Pub in Chicago, with conference speakers and industry experts
- Ticket to the Toy and Game Inventor of the Year Awards (TAGIEs) - an elegant and exciting evening at Chicago’s Field Museum where you'll dine with top industry executives, celebrity inventors and Sue the T-Rex!
- Two-day admission to Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG)
- Substantial discounts on ChiTAG exhibiting opportunities
Two Ways to Register
Two Ways to Register
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Register for T&GCon (includes Social Media @ Play conference sessions)
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Register for Social Media @ Play Conference (as stand-alone conference)
Past T&GCon Keynote Speakers (2012 Keynote Speakers TBA)Register for T&GCon (includes Social Media @ Play conference sessions)
Register for Social Media @ Play Conference (as stand-alone conference)
Peggy Brown - Owner of of Peggy Brown
Creative Consulting
Peggy is a multi-million selling toy and game inventor whose
passion for playful silliness, creative thinking and natural curiosity for all
things fun and quirky make a rare and winning combination. In addition to creating hundreds of products and working with companies like Hasbro, Mattel,
Fisher Price, Disney, Warner Bros., Sesame Street, McDonalds, Nickelodeon and
more, Peggy has authored numerous books including The Golden Book of Family Fun, soon to be
released from Random
House. As a regular guest on the Rachael
Ray Show, she shared her passion with viewers through segments
about play, crafts and fun activities for kids of all ages. A 2009 TAGIE
Award winner for Game
Inventor of the Year, Peggy's on a mission to inspire creativity
and unleash the playful spirit in all of us!
Bob Wann - CEO of Patch Products, Inc.
Bob has over 35 years of extensive, impressive experience in the
toy industry as well as Fortune 500 and Entrepreneurial/Start-up companies in
the U.S. and International Markets. Through his expertise in strategic
brand and product development, and as CEO, VP and Chief Marketing Officer with
companies such as Hasbro's Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers, Playskool,
Fisher Price and American Greetings, Bob has overseen the successful introduction,
development and growth of many industry recognized brands such as Care Bears,
Strawberry Shortcake, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit,
Pictionary, Fisher Price, Playskool and Nerf. A member of the Toy
Industry Association's Board of Directors, Bob is widely recognized as a
natural born creative leader and marketer.
Bob Wann - CEO of Patch Products, Inc.
Click Here to read more about the Social Media @ Play Conference Speakers
For Sponsorship Opportunities, please click here
TGCon 2011 Sponsor Packet (440 KB)
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Here's What Past T&GCon Attendees and Speakers Had To Say:
- Benjamin Dermer, VP Inventor Relations, Spin Master Ltd.
"For anyone interested in entering the wonderful toy and game business, either as an inventor or an entrepreneur, there is absolutely no better way to gather information and network with industry pros than to spend two days at T&GCon in Chicago in November."
- Mike Hirtle, Head of Global Product Acquisition and Inventor Relations at Hasbro
"T&GCon was a great place to meet industry professionals and to meet some new inventors. The panels were well done and we were able to learn from some of the best out there."
- Lindsay Gaskins, President/CEO, Marbles the Brain Store
"I don't think I have learned more about the Toy Biz since?... ever. I didn't want it to end".
- Carle Wunderlich, President, Best of Best Toys, Inc. - Toy Sales Rep / Distributor
"2010 was my fourth year speaking at T&GCon and I wouldn’t miss it – it is as valuable a networking event to me, as it is to the inventors attending! Mary and her team assemble some of the most talented people in the industry. It is like no other toy conference available. I am sure some the industry’s best, new ideas are being discussed and created throughout the conference events – we will just have to watch the toy shelves to see!"
- Tracy Dudkiewicz, TAP Marketing
"T&GCon was an amazing experience. It was energizing and informative, and not only did I learn a lot, but now have several projects being considered for licensing. What a fantastic event! Honestly, I loved the whole thing. I'd give top marks across the board."
- Patrick Matthews, Live Oak Games
"Thank you for putting on such a wonderful conference. It definitely exceeded my expectations! As someone who is interested in getting started in the game industry, I found this conference invaluable. The great variety of session topics and quality of presenters helped me gain a better understanding of the industry as a whole. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks toy or game design is something they want to do."
- John Berube
"This was a great experience and chance to meet some of the brightest inventors. We always come away with some new business and new friends. Things run smoothly and the atmosphere is very laid back. This event has always been a positive part of our marketing plans."
- Juan Mendez, Ludo Fact GmbH.
T&GCon was amazing and I highly recommend that any and all budding toy and game inventors invest in this opportunity to learn every aspect of the toy and game industry! Not only do you get to network with the top experts in the industry, but you can get a one-on-one meeting to discuss "your" toy or game with them! It's a rare and golden opportunity for toy and game inventors!
- Barbara Jenkins, J Links Enterprise
T&GCon is a must for anyone - inventors or company people - in the toy and game industry. The information you'll learn and the networking is incredible. Mary Couzin is to be congratulated; there is nothing else like it in the world! As a relative newcomer to the toy and game industry, T&GCon was invaluable to me.
- Tanya Thompson, Inventor Relations, ThinkFun
- Tanya Thompson, Inventor Relations, ThinkFun
"Thank you for putting on such a wonderful conference. It definitely exceeded my expectations! As someone who is interested in getting started in the game industry, I found this conference invaluable. The great variety of session topics and quality of presenters helped me gain a better understanding of the industry as a whole. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks toy or game design is something they want to do."
- John Berube
"This was a great experience and chance to meet some of the brightest inventors. We always come away with some new business and new friends. Things run smoothly and the atmosphere is very laid back. This event has always been a positive part of our marketing plans."
- Juan Mendez, Ludo Fact GmbH.
T&GCon was amazing and I highly recommend that any and all budding toy and game inventors invest in this opportunity to learn every aspect of the toy and game industry! Not only do you get to network with the top experts in the industry, but you can get a one-on-one meeting to discuss "your" toy or game with them! It's a rare and golden opportunity for toy and game inventors!
- Barbara Jenkins, J Links Enterprise
"Thanks for making my first official inventors experience an awesome one. I could not have asked for a more productive use of time or better group of industry experts to learn from and meet."
- Marc Cooper, Imagination Brands, LLC
