People of Play™ Announces Speaker Lineup for 2026 Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference

CHICAGO, IL | September 29, 2026 - People of Play™, a division of The Toy Association™, has revealed the speaker lineup and agenda for the 2026 Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, the largest and longest running pitch event globally. Taking place November 5 to 7 at the Embassy Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, the event unites inventors, students, designers, and industry leaders for three days of educational sessions, networking, and pitch opportunities.

Product acquisition executives from around the world attend the conference in search of new ideas to license. This year, more than 80 industry executives representing 60 companies are expected to attend, including Mattel, Hasbro, Goliath, Asmodee, Abacus, Moose Toys, Gray Matter Games, Jumbo Group, Thames & Kosmos, Basic Fun!, The Op, TOMY, Jazwares, Amigo, Ravensburger, and many more.

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: Chris Gollaher, director of product design and development at Disney Consumer Products, along with representatives from Lucasfilm and Hasbro (to be announced), will present the keynote address, "From Galaxy to Toy Aisle: How Disney & Hasbro Bring Star Wars Toys to Life!" Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at how designers from Disney and Hasbro collaborate throughout the creative process to bring Star Wars toys from idea to shelf.
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• 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.
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• Expert Panels: Hear from leading voices in toy innovation, marketing, and design, including Azhelle Wade (The Toy Coach & conference emcee), Yanira Wells (Duracell), Arta Alagheband (Jazwares), Elana Woldenberg Ruffman (hand2mind & Learning Resources), Michael Gray (Nixon Peabody), Matt Nuccio (Design Edge), Amy Friedland (Carve Communications), Rachel Griffin (Playwise Partners), Tracy Dudkiewicz (TAP Marketing), Steve Rad (Abacus/Radical Games), and Jackie Brooks (Loudr Agency).
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• 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), Peggy Brown (Brown Creative), Robert Coleman (professional inventor), Tracy Dudkiewicz (TAP Marketing), Lisa Wuennemann (marketing professional), Robert Yusim (Product Counsel), Steve Rad (Abacus Brands/Radical Games), Donna Moore (Toys of Our Lives), Brian Turtle (Goliath Group), Martin Horstman (BitOGenius), Mark Rappaport (Marky Sparky), Victoria Hanson (Irwin IP), Reid Huefner (Irwin IP), and Michael Gray (Nixon Peabody).
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• Networking Receptions: Evening receptions provide relaxed, social settings to connect with toy and game executives and dealmakers.
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• Complimentary Access: Conference registration includes admission to the Toy & Game International Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIEs) on November 6 at Joe's Live Concert Venue and the Chicago Toy & Game Fair from November 7 to 8 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

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

"Inventing can often feel like a solitary pursuit, but this conference reminds creators that they are part of an incredibly supportive and collaborative global community," said Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association. "For three days, inventors at every stage of their careers can share ideas, learn from one another, meet the people who can help move their concepts forward, and make connections that can last well beyond the conference."

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 around the world gather at the conference to pitch ideas, network, learn, and celebrate the toy and game inventor community.

This year's conference is sponsored by Duracell, Longstore Limited, Backdrop.com, Eastar Game Manufacturing, Nextoy, Kid Group, and Brown Creative.

About People of Play™ peopleofplay.com
People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, leads 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, the largest toy and game directory in the industry, and a wide range of events, including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIEs) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge®, the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, and more.

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 $155.7 billion, and its roughly 800+ members drive the annual $45.6 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.

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