April 7, 2014 | Toy industry innovation,  global licensing trends and consumer purchasing habits are just a few of the many educational topics that will be explored at PlayCon, the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) International Conference of Play Professionals, scheduled to take place May 7-9, 2014 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. Registration for the annual educational and networking event is open; the cut-off date to reserve hotel accommodations at the discounted rate is Monday, April 14th.

“PlayCon provides toy, play and youth entertainment professionals with the information and tools they need to strengthen their businesses, as well as the opportunity to connect and network with peers in a fun and relaxed atmosphere,” said Marian Bossard, TIA vice president of meetings and events. “We are pleased to announce that this year’s PlayCon agenda includes cutting edge presentations from a variety of toy and youth experts who are highly regarded in their respective fields.”

Highlights from the PlayCon agenda include:

Wednesday, May 7th

·                 PlayCon will open on Wednesday evening with a welcome reception and dinner at the Kierland Resort, providing participants with a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. 

Thursday, May 8th 

·                 On Thursday morning, the educational portion of the conference will kick-off with a keynote address delivered by Doug Van Andel, executive creative director at global ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi, who will provide insight into how to “capture and convert” in-store consumers to optimize sales.

·                 A case study presented by Michael Moynihan, VP of marketing at LEGO Systems, Inc., will challenge attendees to think beyond the long-held view that it’s “all about the product.”

·                 The NPD Group will present a two-part session revealing the latest sales data to help attendees better understand the current toy, game and youth entertainment product buying landscape. Russ Crupnick, SVP of industry analysis, will discuss U.S. toy and game sales; Frederique Tutt, global toys analyst, will then provide international toy and game statistics.

·                 Katie Rottier, head of U.S. industry, sports & toys at Google/YouTube will draw on her professional experience as a marketer and digital strategist in her presentation, entitled “The Broader World of Play.” Immediately following, a panel presentation entitled “Insights from an Outside Perspective” will feature Rottier as well as John Coyne, SVP of marketing at Activision and Beth Rogozinski founder of digital media organization Transmedia SF, who will provide attendees with an inside look at the strategies and tactics used by experts outside the traditional toy industry. 

Friday, May 9th

·                 Friday will open with a presentation by Euromonitor International’s Utku Tansel, head of toys and games research, who will reveal the economic and demographic trends that are currently impacting global toy sales.

·                 Tom McGrath of TMG Consulting and former general manager at Hasbro will present his predictions for the next hit properties from entertainment studios, toy companies, and video game developers.

·                 The conference program will close mid-day on Friday with Eva Lorenz, GM of Outdoor Recreation at Amazon who will present a session entitled “Amazon … Key Customer? Marketing Partner? Or Both?”

The complete agenda and speaker details can be viewed online. Registration for PlayCon includes admission to all educational sessions; the opening night dinner; breakfast, lunch and the networking reception on Thursday; and breakfast on Friday.

Hotel reservations can be made online or by calling Starwood Central Reservations (1.800.354.5892). The “PlayCon 2014” code can be used to receive the group rate of $219 (plus taxes/fees), valid for rooms booked from Saturday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 11th(based on availability.) The cut-off date to reserve a hotel room at the discounted rate is April 14, 2014.