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tia happenings<br />
TOTY <strong>2016</strong>:<br />
Celebrating 100 Years of <strong>Toy</strong>s and Play<br />
THE CLOCK IS TICKING DOWN TO ONE<br />
of the most anticipated and exciting events<br />
in the toy industry: the <strong>2016</strong> <strong>Toy</strong> of the Year<br />
(TOTY) Awards, which kicks off <strong>Toy</strong> Fair week<br />
on Friday evening, February 12 at the iconic<br />
American Museum of Natural History in New<br />
York City.<br />
This prestigious annual awards ceremony<br />
recognizes the most outstanding new toys to<br />
hit the marketplace. TOTY <strong>2016</strong> is particularly<br />
meaningful, as this year’s event will spotlight<br />
the <strong>Toy</strong> Industry Association’s (TIA) centenary—celebrating<br />
100 years of hard work and<br />
enthusiasm dedicated to bringing the magic<br />
and joy of fun, safe play to children of all<br />
ages. <strong>The</strong> festive evening will also include<br />
the induction of Robert A. Iger, chairman and<br />
CEO of the Walt Disney Co., into the <strong>Toy</strong><br />
Industry Hall of Fame, and support the inspiring<br />
philanthropic work of the <strong>Toy</strong> Industry<br />
Foundation.<br />
It was a century ago on June 9, 1916<br />
when a small group of toy manufacturers<br />
banded together to form an association<br />
called the <strong>Toy</strong> Manufacturers of the U.S.A. to<br />
support its members and lead the growth of<br />
the U.S. toy industry. On that day, an inaugural<br />
meeting of 46 toy manufacturers was held<br />
at the Hotel McAlpin in New York City to discuss<br />
the establishment of a trade association<br />
that would support U.S. toymakers, promote<br />
American-made products, and encourage<br />
year-round toy sales.<br />
Over the course of 100 years, the Association<br />
has greatly evolved and underwent<br />
two name changes—the <strong>Toy</strong> Manufacturers<br />
of America in 1996 and to its current name,<br />
the <strong>Toy</strong> Industry Association, in 2001. Today,<br />
TIA is made up of not only manufacturers, but<br />
also inventors, designers, retailers, licensors,<br />
distributors, and more, representing large<br />
and small companies, both foreign and<br />
domestic. What has remained constant over<br />
the decades is TIA’s mission to provide expert<br />
guidance, business-boosting resources, and a<br />
unified voice for its 900 member companies<br />
and the North American toy industry at large.<br />
“TIA is proud of its longevity in serving<br />
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the <strong>Toy</strong> Halls of Fame<br />
52 THE <strong>TOY</strong> BOOK | february <strong>2016</strong> | <strong>TOY</strong>BOOK.COM
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