President’s Report

chair Jeanie Crone past chair Amy Saldanha treasurer Corey Funkey directors Betty Burns, Lisa Orman, Brad Ruoho, Tom Rushton, Ron Solomon, Brice Elvington, Azhelle Wade, Patrick Holland, TJ Simmons, Theresa Duncan, Gene Murtha, Sari Wiaz

Magazine

editor Tom Savage assistant editor Dee Marsden graphic artist Maia VanOrman

Editorial Advisory Committee

chair Tom Savage Jean Bailey, Consultant Theresa Duncan, Villa Villekulla Toy Store Tami Murphy, Grand Prix International Lisa Orman, KidStuff PR Kemi Tignor, Little Likes Kids LLC Allison White, Sugar B Sales Phil Wrzesinski, HABA USA

ASTRA Staff

president

Sue Warfield

marketing and communications manager

Dee Marsden

membership specialist

Jenna Stirling

special events and project manager

Michael Foldeak

Toy Times Magazine is published by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, 312-222-0984, info@astratoy.org, www.astratoy.org. Copyright © 2021 American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. All rights reserved.

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All articles for Toy Times are supplied by ASTRA and its members, with Fahy-Williams assembling and editing the magazine, and managing the advertising sales function.

ASTRA reserves the right to accept, reject, or alter all editorial and advertising material submitted for publication.

Advertising in ASTRA does not imply endorsement of products and services. Opinions expressed in articles contained herein are those of the authors, not necessarily of ASTRA or its individual members. The information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable.

The long and bumpy road to 2021 and beyond

Two years between 2019 Marketplace & Academy and our 2021 gathering in Minneapolis – who would have ever imagined that at Toy Fair 2020! We have faced many challenges during the months since, which continued right up to and included the days in Minneapolis at Marketplace & Academy. However, we did it! With masks and safety protocols as best as we could provide, we met in-person and it was amazing. Seeing, touching and ordering products, meeting and greeting our colleagues, learning from one another, having fun at the social events and playing games and putting together kits – it was the best medicine of all to just be together.

While we are all still struggling with how to deal with the surge of COVID, we are moving forward. ASTRA is getting our volunteer committees fired up again. We are in the process of a complete digital relaunch of our member database, website and learning platform. We are taking the input we received from the education sessions and our town hall meeting at Marketplace & Academy and working with our volunteers, staff and board to provide more of what our members are wanting and needing as we navigate the future. We’re focusing on getting out to see and listen to our members, whether it be at regional gift shows, “on the road” visits to stores, a Winter Camp, or additional Zoom gatherings. We will become more visible and connected to you – our members.

In addition to all the above, it is vital that we stay on top of the current issues that impact not only the toy industry and the synergy of our members, but also the global economy. Diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental issues, staffing, new ways of showing and selling products and keeping communications open and transparent must all be considered as we work together for the overall success and growth of the toy industry.

It has been a long and bumpy road that we have been on and will continue to travel. The road will have many forks to consider as we determine the best course. With the strength of our staff, board, and members, we will work together to build our community and offer the best possible resources for all as we forge ahead into 2022 and beyond. As the saying goes, it takes a village! For ASTRA, it is our community that is our strength.

Sue Warfield