ASTRA Camps: S’more Than a Virtual Trade Show

from ASTRA Toy Times July 2021

Supporting Local Restaurants

ASTRA Camps

S’more Than a Virtual Trade Show

by Theresa Duncan, Villa Villekilla Neighborhood Toy Store

In 2019 when we were gathered in Pittsburgh, it would have been hard to believe that the very next year ASTRA would have to cancel Marketplace & Academy.

It may have been even harder to believe that ASTRA would create a virtual experience with the same spirit and camaraderie as an inperson event.

Trade shows may serve very different business objectives for brands, inventors, sales representatives and retailers, but from every aspect of the industry, the sentiment is the same - ASTRA Summer and Winter Camps had the same supportive, fun and connective environment that attendees have come to expect from Marketplace & Academy.

Just as ASTRA had to get creative as an organization to deliver a virtual trade show experience, vendors, sales representatives and exhibitors all had to make changes to their typical trade show process. For Philadelphiabased Tildie’s Toy Box, the quick huddles and large number of vendors and activities meant they had to get more organized before the show.

“I tried my best to view each vendor’s page ahead of time and watch their videos so when I attended a Huddle (a live, 15-minute presentation by exhibitors) I felt like I had all of the information I needed for placing orders,” said Michelle Gillen-Doobrajh, owner at Tildie’s. I also took a lot of notes, which was really helpful looking back. At an in-person trade show, I just wouldn’t have the bandwidth to do all of that, but I forced myself to set aside the time to really make ASTRA Camp valuable in place of the in-person experience. I really had to be more organized because I wasn’t able to ‘visit’ a booth again like I normally would in a trade show.”

B O O S T Y O U R B R A N D & Y O U R S A L E S ! S A L E S ! Spinny Pins Each of the five pins features fascinating textures to feel, plus a weighted base that wobbles wonderfully. Fit them into the slots of the big bowl either upside down or right side up. Ages 18 months+. FBTFA248-1 $29.99 Shape Factory Shape sorting with a twist! Can you figure out how to fit the ten shapes through the four slots? With a push of the button, the top twists and the slots all change! Ages 2+. FBTFA267-1 $24.99 PRESCHOOL PLAY Talk and Roll Radio Control Fire Engine Radio Control, simple function R/C forward and reverse turn. Working microphone projects child’s voice through the vehicle. Working ladder. Requires 3 “AA” batteries (included) and 2 “AAA” batteries (not included). Ages 2+. EEPG02616 $34.99 3D Arranging Game Creative Stones These blocks in different colors and shapes can be arranged in a variety of patterns to develop special recognition while playing. Ages 2+. HAB304854 $29.99 Jack & the Beanstalk Game A unique, playful, 3D logic and deduction game with the familiar fairytale theme so kids have fun while they are learning! Ages 4+. SG-026US $29.99 WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. InnyBin As kids push the chunky, textured blocks through the elastic bands of the cube, curiosity is sparked and young minds can't help but experiment and discover! It’s an incredibly unique shape-exploration experience. Ages 10 months+. FBTFA251-1 $24.99 a weighted base that wobbles wonderfully. Fit them into the slots of the big bowl either upside down or right side up. Spinny Pins Each of the five pins features fascinating textures to feel, plus a weighted base that wobbles wonderfully. Fit them into the slots of the big bowl either upside down or right side up. Ages 18 months+. FBTFA248-1 $29.99 Shape Factory Shape sorting with a twist! Can you figure out how to fit the ten shapes through the four slots? With a push of the button, the top twists and the slots all change! Ages 2+. FBTFA267-1 $24.99 PRESCHOOL PLAY Talk and Roll Radio Control Fire Engine Radio Control, simple function R/C forward and reverse turn. Working microphone projects child’s voice through the vehicle. Working ladder. Requires 3 “AA” batteries (included) and 2 “AAA” batteries (not included). Ages 2+. EEPG02616 $34.99 3D Arranging Game Creative Stones These blocks in different colors and shapes can be arranged in a variety of patterns to develop special recognition while playing. Jack & the Beanstalk Game A unique, playful, 3D logic and deduction game with the familiar fairytale theme so kids have fun while they are learning! Ages 4+. SG-026US $29.99 WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. InnyBin As kids push the chunky, textured blocks through the elastic bands of the cube, curiosity is sparked and young minds can't help but experiment and discover! It’s an incredibly unique shape-exploration experience. Ages 10 months+. FBTFA251-1 $24.99 shapes through the four slots? With a push of the button, the top twists and the slots all change! Ages 2+. FBTFA267-1 $24.99 2 My Very Own Wall Collage Tweens and teens can make their space an impressive work of art that they design and personalize! Packed full of supplies; 150 unique prints to customize with 926 stickers, letters, garlands, foam spacers & paint safe tape. Ages 10+. LUECT2032 $29.99 Valuable Coupons on Back! Ages 2+. HAB304854 $29.99

SmartMax® My First Safari Animals Build a rhino, giraffe, elephant, hippo, lion and crocodile - or mix and match for crazy creations! Kids will have so much fun they won't realize they are learning! Ages 12 months+. SMX220US $24.99

Prices subject to change.

TinkerRings Built into each textured ring are magnets arranged so that, no matter which sides are facing up, they’ll always connect and stack perfectly from big to small. Get your little one thinking, tinkering, and learning early! Ages 2+. FBTFA270-1 $24.99

Prices subject to change. Wishing Bear This unique toy and activity has you first stuff the bear to “bring it to life”. Then, your child becomes part of the story as they make wishes for loved ones near and far on each of Bear’s 5 wishing charms. Encourages family bonding while teaching empathy. Ages 3+. LUEAW2011 $24.99 WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. SmartMax® My First Safari Animals Build a rhino, giraffe, elephant, hippo, lion and crocodile - or mix and match for crazy creations! Kids will have so much fun they won't realize they are learning! Ages 12 months+. SMX220US $24.99 Wobble Run Wonder abounds as its weight tips the tower this way and that atop the wobbly base! Classic ball-run fun becomes a topsy-turvy delight! Ages 12 months+. FBTFA273-1 $19.99

Valuable Coupon on Back!

dimpl digits™ Touch, push, pop, and learn! Little fingers can't resist this number-learning delight! Ages 2+. FBTFA275-1 $19.99Prices subject to change. Wobble Run Wonder abounds as its weight tips the tower this way and that atop the wobbly base! Classic ball-run fun becomes a topsy-turvy delight! Ages 12 months+. FBTFA273-1 $19.99 FBTFA275-1 $19.99

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dimpl digits™ Touch, push, pop, and learn! Little fingers can't resist this number-learning delight! Ages 2+. FBTFA275-1 $19.99

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Starlight Unicorn Ride off into the field with the Starlight light Unicorn! Press the horn, and watch as it lights up and plays music! Features a harness, plush uncorn with sound. Ages 3+.

SH-SLU $24.99 Nyla Turtle

Peace, love, and turtles! At 12" long, Nyla makes the perfect companion for the peace-lover in your life. Ages Birth+. DCT3821 $17.99 Nyla makes the perfect companion for the peace-lover in your life. Ages Birth+. DCT3821 $17.99

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Visit us at ASTRA in booth #323

Sales representatives didn’t have the early access to as many of the new products, so they experienced new launches at the same time as retailers. “Typically, I’ve already met with the vendors and I take appointments around,” said Alison Cassler of Alison Cassler Toys and Gifts LLC. “With ASTRA

Camp, I was seeing (products) at the same time my customers were.” Exhibitors had to learn new technology and figure out how to talk about their products in a pre-defined time frame. “The preparation was very different from our typical trade show process because we didn’t have the luxury of building a beautiful booth where we would have three days to put product in retailers hands and enjoy conversation,” said DJECO’s National Sales

Manager Emily Nocton. “We put a lot of thought and planning into our Huddle because this was our moment to shine.” Nocton said she and her team had to figure out which products 3 were the most demonstrative and effective when experienced virtually. What camera angles provided their audience the best view? What retailers wanted to see and hear, and what was just 9 fluff that could be cut from their

Huddle script? “We had a finite time to present, and instead of individual meetings, it was everyone at once,” she said. ASTRA Summer and Winter Camps were more than just a place to take and place orders; it was also a source of support through a challenging time. “After ASTRA Summer Camp, I felt re-invigorated to really push through to the year end when I had previously considered throwing in the towel,” said

Gillen-Doobrajh. “Without getting too sappy, the vibe was open and honest and friendly and inviting,” said Ali Osborne, National Sales Manager for Never Wrong Toys and Games. “It didn’t feel like work. (It was) just getting together and having a great time.” Even for new ASTRA members, the virtual experience gave an opportunity to listen and connect. This was the first trade show experience for Bunny Hopkins, which started their toy business in March 2020. “ASTRA Winter Camp was enriching, encouraging and educational,” said

Bunny Hopkins founder Shamik Dasgupta. “People were very approachable, and we felt welcome.” ASTRA Camp, with its live nightly entertainment and opportunities to connect, embodied much of the spirit of Marketplace & Academy. But, as Dasugupta said, “Toys are an experience-driven thing. You really have to touch and feel in person to experience them.” Like many others, Bunny Hopkins is looking forward to exhibiting at

Marketplace & Academy in Minneapolis this summer. “It will be our only trade show this year,” Dasugupta said. “We are sticking to the leader.” “We {Never Wrong Games} are going all out with a huge new booth,”

Osborne said. “ASTRA is on a whole other playing field.” ASTRA

Spirograph® Scratch & Shimmer Use the stylus tool with the glitter wheel and gears to scratch designs on the special shimmer or rainbow scratch paper and sticker sheets. You can also use your own pens to draw Spirograph designs on regular paper! Ages 8+.

KHT01035Z $19.99 Created by Me! Cupcake Pillow

Add your unique personal touches to create a squeezable, huggable treat that’s a sweet addition to any bed, sofa, chair, or room! Ages 6+. MD-30625 $19.99 Kwik™ Stix Tempera Paint - 6 Jumbo Neon Colors Tired of the endless mess of painting? This fast drying formula dries in 90 seconds while still leaving a paint-like finish! No cups, smocks, water or brushes required. Great on poster paper, cardboard, wood and canvas. Comes with 4 times more paint then than the standard size Kwik Stix. Ages 18 months+ TPG645 WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. $16.99

Neon Tie Dye Tumbler Kit

Make this tumbler your own with the 5 colors of neon acrylic paint. Easy to follow instructions show you how to achieve many different looks. Ages 8+.

FAE12441 $14.99 Tell Your Story™ Alphabet Bead Case Lg Mix/Match

Design an armload of on trend messages and name bracelets with this mega bead kit with lidded keeper case. Kit includes enough beads and elastic to make 35 bracelets. Ages 8+. FAE12518 $22.99 Jumbo Kwik Stix are perfect for small hands!