The Toy Association

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced several updates to its Section 301 action on shipbuilding, including: ✅ A $46 per net ton service fee on foreign-built vehicle carriers (effective Oct. 14) ✅ A 100% tariff on select ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling equipment ✅ Removal of the LNG export license suspension provision (retroactive to April 17) Additionally, USTR is proposing: ✅ Fee exemptions for certain LPG and ethane carriers under long-term charters ✅ Tariffs up to 150% on additional cargo-handling components Public comments on these proposed changes are open through 𝗡𝗼𝘃. 𝟭𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. More info: https://lnkd.in/ehmBEMSM  

🎅Santa’s got competition... People of Play’s Chicago Toy & Game Fair is turning Rosemont, IL into the North Pole of Play this November 8–9 for WISHLIST WEEKEND 2025! 🎁 For families & fans, it's the chance to meet toy inventors, test new toy and games, and shop this season’s must-have gifts. 🎲 For exhibitors & brands, it's the chance to showcase your hottest toys and games, sell directly to excited shoppers, and capture major media buzz — all while spreading serious holiday cheer. ✨ Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic: https://buff.ly/lWR04FQ

Play has a powerful voice in Washington. This week, The Toy Association’s Kathrin Belliveau and Maria de los Angeles Sierra Mejia took that voice to Capitol Hill, where they met with congressional staff to advocate for policies that protect play, support businesses, and strengthen families. From tariffs and trade to toy safety and EPR, The Toy Association continues to champion our industry and help policymakers understand what we already know: play matters to children, to families and educators, and to the economy. #toyindustry #toynews

Inventors are at the heart of CHITAG! From breakthrough ideas to beloved toys on store shelves, People of Play's Chicago Toy & Game Fair celebrates innovation at every level of play, including: 💡The 2025 Global Toy & Game Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conferences, where thousands of toy and game ideas have been licensed, offers inventors the chance to connect, pitch, and learn at the largest and longest-running premier inventor event in the world. 🏆 The Toy and Game Innovation Awards, the TAGIEs honor the creative minds behind the world’s most beloved toys and games. 🧠 The Young Inventor Challenge empowers the next generation of creators, giving kids ages 6–18 a platform to bring their original ideas to life and get real industry feedback. There’s still time to serve as a judge! Contact Ahren Hoffman, CTRS, CPE for more info. And throughout CHITAG’s Wishlist Weekend, attendees can meet and interact with the following incredible inventors and their innovative creations, including: April Mitchell, David Yakos, Chrissy Fagerholt, Eric Olsen, Brady Peterson, Sophia Ricciardi, and Grant Lyon. 🔗 Be part of the community that celebrates creativity and invention at every stage. Learn more: https://www.chitag.com/ #POPWeek2025 #PeopleOfPlay #CHITAG2025 #TAGIEAwards #YoungInventorChallenge #ToyIndustry

This week, The Toy Association’s Chief Policy Officer, Kathrin Belliveau, and Vice President of Government Affairs, Maria de los Angeles Sierra Mejia, are meeting with key congressional staff in both the House and Senate to discuss policy priorities shaping the toy industry, including tariffs and extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws. As advocates for the power of play, The Toy Association is ensuring policymakers understand the essential role toys play in children’s development and in America’s economy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXSyKjY2

The Toy Association congratulates Lourdes Arocho and Lisa Orman on joining the WiT - Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Board of Directors! Their leadership and commitment to advancing creativity, inclusion, and innovation across the toy and entertainment industries continue to inspire the play community.

How are today’s kids discovering brands, shaping toy purchases, and influencing holiday sales? Join us this Thursday, October 16 at 2 p.m. (ET) for an exclusive Toy Association webinar presented by Precise TV’s Denis Crushell and moderated by Anne McConnell. You’ll learn: 1️⃣ Where Gen Alpha spends their screen time — from YouTube Shorts to gaming 2️⃣ How parents and kids co-view — and remember — ads 3️⃣ Which toy brands kids love most (and own!) 4️⃣ How their influence drives holiday toy shopping decisions 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eJCdVjM9

🎅 A toy is never just a toy. This holiday season, The Toy Foundation’s Toy Chest (formerly the Toy Bank) is calling on toy companies to help deliver the joy of play. By donating product this October, you can ensure thousands of children receive the only gift they may get this holiday season. 📦 Donations are picked up at no cost to companies and coordinated through our national nonprofit network. It’s a simple way to give back, support CSR goals, and make an unforgettable impact. 👇 Learn more and submit your holiday donation form today below #ToyFoundation #GivingBack #ToyIndustry

🎥 Flashback Friday! Relive the magic of last year’s Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) as you prep for this year's show! CHITAG is the only U.S. consumer event where families, kids, and holiday shoppers meet the inventors and brands behind their favorite toys & games. From game demos to headline-grabbing launches and smiles all around, CHITAG 2024 generated 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟭.𝟱 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 and unforgettable moments for exhibitors and attendees alike. Here’s a look back at the energy, creativity, and pure joy that make CHITAG such a cornerstone of POP Week. 👉 Ready to be part of this year’s fair (Nov 8–9)? Don’t just watch the highlight reel, be a part of the next one: https://lnkd.in/ekjP2Uir #POPWeek2025 #PeopleOfPlay #CHITAG2025 #TAGIEAwards #YoungInventorChallenge #ToyIndustry Mary Couzin Ahren Hoffman, CTRS, CPE People of Play

The Toy Association is monitoring how the federal government shutdown may impact functions related to consumer products — particularly in areas related to product safety, import oversight, and regulatory activity. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has implemented its contingency plan, keeping approximately 45% of staff on duty to continue “essential functions” that “protect life and property,” with a focus on critical safety operations such as import surveillance and identifying hazardous or noncompliant consumer products. This marks a significant increase from past shutdowns, when less than 10% of staff typically remained on the job. Despite this expanded essential workforce, many CPSC activities have paused. Routine compliance reviews, rulemaking, administrative functions, and responses to non-urgent inquiries are currently on hold until federal funding is restored. Companies should expect delays in regulatory communications and processing. ➡️ Members with questions about how this may affect your products or imports, can contact Joan Lawrence, SVP, Standards & Regulatory Affairs (jlawrence@toyassociation.org).