People of Play’s Annual Fall Events Will Bring Together Inventors, Influencers, Consumers, Media, and Industry Leaders from Around the World.

CHICAGO, IL | March 10, 2026 – Industry professionals are now invited to register for POP Week 2026, a four-day series of events dedicated to the inventors, fans, and leaders shaping the toy and game industry. Presented by People of Play™ (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, the events will run from November 5 to 8 in Rosemont, IL, featuring professional opportunities designed to bring the global play community together in the spirit of innovation and play. 

“POP Week is where connections turn into collaborations and ideas become reality,” said Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association. “We’ve seen incredible stories unfold here, from new inventors stepping into the spotlight to bold ideas winning the attention of global companies and lasting partnerships born from chance conversations. The energy of POP Week is contagious, and it truly shows the power of our industry when people come together to support and celebrate play.”

From lively social gatherings to career-making pitch meetings, POP Week 2026 highlights include:

• Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference (November 5 to 7, Embassy Suites Chicago O’Hare Rosemont) 
  • Inventor Opportunities: New inventors can pitch ideas, attend educational sessions, and receive mentorship from product development, licensing, and marketing experts. Professional inventors can pitch one-on-one to product acquisition executive teams for licensing and partnership opportunities.
  • Keynotes & Mentoring: Hear from industry leaders on emerging trends, strategies behind successful product launches, and more.
  • Networking Receptions: Build relationships with toy and game industry executives and dealmakers in casual evening settings.
  • A ticket to the TAGIE Awards is included with conference registration.
• Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIEs) (November 6, Joe’s Live Concert Venue) – Celebrate the best and brightest in toy and game innovation at the prestigious TAGIE Awards, which honors the inventors, marketers, retailers, and rising stars behind the most impactful products in the industry. 
• Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) (November 7 to 8, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont) — North America’s largest consumer toy and game event returns this year to bring brings kids, parents, inventors, influencers, and the media together during peak holiday season excitement to discover the toys and games that belong on every wishlist. CHITAG’s “Wishlist Weekend®” is a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their hottest holiday products, spark buzz, and connect directly with their end-consumer. Click here for more information on exhibiting at the fair.

Whether you’re looking to learn, pitch, partner, launch, or interact with consumers and influencers, POP Week 2026 is your gateway to the toy and game industry. Learn more at chitag.com and follow along on social media using #chitag, #chitag2026, & #peopleofplay.

About People of Play™   peopleofplay.com / chitag.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.