tia happenings
TOTY 2016:
Celebrating 100 Years of Toys and Play THE CLOCK IS TICKING DOWN TO ONE of the most anticipated and exciting events in the toy industry: the 2016 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, which kicks off Toy Fair week on Friday evening, February 12 at the iconic American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This prestigious annual awards ceremony recognizes the most outstanding new toys to hit the marketplace. TOTY 2016 is particularly meaningful, as this year’s event will spotlight the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) centenary—celebrating 100 years of hard work and enthusiasm dedicated to bringing the magic and joy of fun, safe play to children of all ages. The festive evening will also include
the induction of Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Co., into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, and support the inspiring philanthropic work of the Toy Industry Foundation. It was a century ago on June 9, 1916 when a small group of toy manufacturers banded together to form an association called the Toy Manufacturers of the U.S.A. to support its members and lead the growth of the U.S. toy industry. On that day, an inaugural meeting of 46 toy manufacturers was held at the Hotel McAlpin in New York City to discuss the establishment of a trade association that would support U.S. toymakers, promote American-made products, and encourage
year-round toy sales. Over the course of 100 years, the Association has greatly evolved and underwent two name changes—the Toy Manufacturers of America in 1996 and to its current name, the Toy Industry Association, in 2001. Today, TIA is made up of not only manufacturers, but also inventors, designers, retailers, licensors, distributors, and more, representing large and small companies, both foreign and domestic. What has remained constant over the decades is TIA’s mission to provide expert guidance, business-boosting resources, and a unified voice for its 900 member companies and the North American toy industry at large. “TIA is proud of its longevity in serving
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Toy Halls of Fame
52 THE TOY BOOK | february 2016 | TOYBOOK.COM