Chicago, IL | People of Play™, a division of The Toy Association™, has revealed the speaker lineup and agenda for the 2025 Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference. Taking place November 5 to 9 at the Embassy Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, the event unites inventors, students, designers, and industry leaders for four days of educational sessions, networking, and pitch opportunities.

“Whether you’re looking to break out in the industry or are a seasoned inventor, there is opportunity for everyone at the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference,” said Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association. “All attendees will have the chance to pitch toy and game ideas directly to product acquisition executives, gain expert feedback, and explore licensing and partnership opportunities. And beyond the pitches and panels, this conference is about connection — building relationships, sharing insights, and being part of a creative community that lifts each other up.”

Attendees will also benefit from programming featuring sessions on artificial intelligence, legal and intellectual property insights, marketing strategies, and influencer collaboration. Conference highlights include:

• Keynote Address: Dustin Cohn, chief marketing officer at OnePay and formerly with Goldman Sachs and PepsiCo, will share how successful brands build powerful emotional and rational connections with their audiences through purposeful storytelling.


• Expert Panels: Hear from leading voices in toy innovation, marketing, and design, including Azhelle Wade (The Toy Coach & conference emcee), Ross Thompson (Atomic Mass Games), Grant Lyon (Grant’s Game Recs), Dani Standring (game influencer), Joe Barron (Gray Matters Games), Amy Friedland (Carve Communications), Rachel Griffin (Playwise Partners), Tracy Dudkiewicz (TAP Marketing), Reid Huefner and Victoria Hanson (Irwin IP), Michael Gray (Nixon Peabody), and Severin Strehl (Piatnik, Austria).


• Speed Pitching: New inventors will have exhibit tables during the popular “Speed Meeting/Pitch” sessions, offering direct access to dozens of companies for feedback and potential licensing deals.


• Mentoring Opportunities: Attendees can book one-on-one meetings for guidance in manufacturing, design, legal, retail, PR, social media, and more. This year’s mentors include Amy Friedland (Carve Communications), Rachel Griffin (Playwise Partners), Robert Coleman (professional inventor), Tracy Dudkiewicz (TAP Marketing), Lisa Wuennemann (marketing professional), Robert Yusim (Product Counsel), Steve Rad (Abacus Brands), Donna Moore (Toys of Our Lives), Brian Turtle (Goliath Group), Martin Horstman (BitOGenius), Mark Rappaport (Marky Sparky), Lea Edwards (Irwin IP), Reid Huefner (Irwin IP), and Michael Gray (Nixon Peabody).


• Networking Receptions: Evening receptions provide relaxed, social settings to connect with toy and game executives and dealmakers.


• Complimentary Access: Conference registration includes admission to the Toy & Game International Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIEs) on November 8 at Joe’s Live Concert Venue and the Chicago Toy & Game Fair from November 8 to 9 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Click here to register today and explore the full conference agenda.

Founded in 2006, the Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference is the largest gathering in the world of new, professional, and student inventors and product acquisition executives. Each year, attendees come from approximately 25 countries gather at the conference to pitch ideas, network, learn, and celebrate the toy and game inventor community.

This year’s conference is sponsored by Longshore Limited, The Michael Kohner Corporation, Eastar Game Manufacturing, Backdrop.com, Nextoy, Brown Creative, and The Game Aisle.

About The Toy Association™ toyassociation.org / toyfoundation.org / peopleofplay.com / thegeniusofplay.org / playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the business trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $157.5 billion, and its roughly 900 members drive the annual $41 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry's voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play's positive impact on childhood development. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, governments, consumers, and the industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.

As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair™ in New York City; hosts marketplace activities in Los Angeles; engages in state, federal, and international advocacy on behalf of its members; supports the inventor and design community through People of Play™ and its numerous assets and events, including the consumer-facing Chicago Toy & Game Fair; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America's widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard. The Toy Association's philanthropic arm is The Toy Foundation™, a 501 (c)(3) children's charity that acts as the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry. To date, The Toy Foundation has delivered the joy of play to 33 million children in need worldwide.

About People of Play™  peopleofplay.com
People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, supports the global toy and game industry in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity. A one-stop source of community for industry professionals, aspiring inventors and people of all ages who love to play, People of Play hosts a play platform packed with resources and connection points as well as a wide range of events including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference, and more.

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