sweet suite 15 Takes Over NYC
T
he Toy Insider’s sixth annual Sweet Suite event took place on July 16 at Pier Sixty in New York City. Known as The
Biggest Night of Play, the event welcomed more than 400 influential bloggers and vloggers and more than 100 members
of traditional media to connect with the best toy companies in advance of the hol-
iday shopping season. Sweet Suite was the feature event at the second annual Blogger Bash, a two-day conference for experienced digital influencers featuring parties, exhibitions, and speed pitching sessions. Blogger Bash attendees were welcomed into high-energy party atmospheres, giving them a chance to have fun while mingling with brands in a professional yet inviting setting. During Sweet Suite, bloggers enjoyed one-on-one time with representatives from more than 75 of the hottest kids’ brands and properties on the market, including VTech, Activision, LeapFrog, Hasbro, Spin Master, Lego, Tomy, Disney, and more. Robotic pets zoomed around the floor, streams of bubbles filled the air, and LED lights winked throughout the venue as the sun set on the Hudson River. The night gave digital influencers and members of the press a chance to meet old and new friends while sipping on strawberry mojitos, feasting on chocolate covered bacon, and—best of all—playing with toys before they even hit the market. Enormous swag boxes were shipped directly to attendees’ homes after the event, sparking a resurgance in social media impressions, and ensuring bloggers and journalists had products readily on-hand to review and share with their followers. #SweetSuite15 generated more than 95 million Twitter impressions, more than 8,000 original Instagram photos, and hundreds of blog post recaps. The Toy Insider will return to New York City on October 16 for the HoliDAY of Play, and plans are already underway for Sweet Suite 16. If you’re interested in learning more about these events, contact Laurie Schacht at thetoyinsidermom@gmail.com.
22 • THE TOY BOOK
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015