In the 14th episode of Board Game Times, Clark talks to Mary Couzin, the CEO and founder of People of Play (POP) which hosts the annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair on Chicago’s Navy Pier. This year’s event is virtual and Mary fills Clark in about all the planned events — including scheduled times to pitch your invention to gaming executives! — and how you can participate.
Mary is a champion for the toy and gaming industries and People of Play exists to recognize innovators in the industry and to find and promote new talent. It’s both for consumers and those working in the industry. In our interview, you’ll hear how a trip to Essen SPIEL inspired Mary to start the Chicago Toy & Game Fair in 2003, why she’s a champion for the toy and gaming industry, and how she hopes to raise the profile of the people and businesses in gaming to the level of other entertainment industries.
Mary also talks about the need to increase the diversity of those working in the industry overall, the importance of play for kids (even at your show booth!), why we need to have more gaming at schools, and you’ll hear about a game she owns that she will never open!
Episode Links
The People of Play website: https://peopleofplay.com/
Register for POP Week 2021 events, including the chance to pitch to industry executives!
(Monday 11/15 – Friday 11/19): https://www.chitag.com/2021-innovation-conference
The 2021 Chicago Toy & Game Fair
(Saturday 11/20 and Sunday 11/21): https://www.chitag.com/2021-fair
Learn about and RSVP for the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards:
https://www.chitag.com/2021-tagies-toy-and-game-awards
Visit POP’s education focused site: https://www.playineducation.com/
You can contact Mary with questions at: Mary@chitag.com
Send your feedback, questions and suggestions to Clark at: clark@boardgametimes.com
Visit the Board Game Times site at https://www.boardgametimes.com and like our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/boardgametimes
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