POP’s Young Inventor Challenge

is Excited to Work With You and Your Store

Mary Couzin, Founder and President of Chicago Toy and Game Week (ChiTAG) and People of Play (POP), is super excited to be sailing on the ASTRA Toy Boat to meet and share with you a new program created just for ASTRA members.

“What is the Young Inventor Challenge (YIC),” You Ask?

The Young Inventor Challenge is an annual contest, now in its 16th year, that aims to inspire the next generation to use creativity, critical thinking, and STEAM skills in the invention and innovation process. Its goal is also to connect professionals within the toy and game industry to mentor these young innovators in their design process.

The YIC provides an opportunity for children ages 6-18 to develop and pitch their original inventions to major toy and game companies, industry professionals, members of the media and the general public. This unique and educational experience ignites imagination, creativity and presentation skills like no other, providing a means of taking these inventions to greater heights, with professional critiques from our industry experts.

POP is the only young inventor program that has sponsorship and mentoring participation from top toy and game experts around the world. Many of the winning inventions have been licensed by these global companies that can be found on store shelves today, and at least one winner has gone on to work in the toy industry after graduating from school.

What are the Benefits to ASTRA Members?

POP welcomes ASTRA retail members to become “Local Headquarters” for the 2023 YIC event. Retailers interested in a beta test or a soft launch this fall, just send Mary a note (marycouzin@ gmail.com)

Brand Building. Participation in YIC gives ASTRA members a proven promotional platform that builds local recognition for members and builds the ASTRA brand including generating local and national attention.

Member Value. Participation in YIC will draw young inventors to ASTRA stores to purchase materials for their “tool kit”, and to establish a relationship with the retailer as a mentor.

Marketing. As winners are announced in the Fall of 2023, ASTRA and its membership will benefit from media attention at the local and national level

Industry Leadership. ASTRA stores participation in the YIC becomes a career portal for youth, a successful promotional platform reaching children and schools, and attracting broad media attention.

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For ASTRA Members who Participate as YIC-Headquarters:

• POP media announcements will include participating ASTRA stores as the local HQ for YIC.

• ASTRA stores will be recognized in the POP web site and YIC

“store locator” online in 2023.

• POP will supply participating stores with window and in-store signage to announce YIC.

• POP will supply participating stores with suggestions on how to handle YIC store events.

• YIC registrants will be directed towards an ASTRA “tool box” of inventor stimuli.

• YIC registrants that enter through ASTRA members will have entrance fees waived.

• ASTRA stores will agree to support YIC registrants by serving to critique, guide and mentor the registrants.

• ASTRA stores will be asked to promote themselves as YIC HQs through their local media and local schools, social media and on-line announcements.

• ASTRA members who have winners will be recognized in announcements as 2023 awards are distributed and invited to be part of the media tours.

• ASTRA stores that participate will automatically be enrolled in trial subscription of the People of Play network at no cost.

About POP

People of Play is the toy industry’s most comprehensive networking and resource hub. Both in-person events around the world and a social platform and industry portal where toy industry veterans, newbies, inventors, buyers, job seekers, recruiters, consumers, and others come to find each other. Get up-to-the-minute toy industry, event, and product news; participate in live online educational and networking events; browse a vast library of expert resources; and peruse and post to the industry’s only dedicated social feeds, one for consumers and one for industry.