One of the frequently asked questions we hear at the Toy Insider is “How can I get involved with the toy industry?”

While there’s no easy answer to that, the toy industry — like most businesses — has many pathways to entry if you’re ready to do the work.

If you’ve ever had a great toy or game idea and don’t know where to start, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) is a fantastic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with resources that can help.

WIT champions the advancement of women through leadership, networking, and educational opportunities, and this fall brings the debut of WIT Launch, a new virtual programming series that includes interactive workshops, panels, learning, and mentorship opportunities.

The first event, the WIT Launch: Innovation Summit sponsored by Hasbro, can be viewed as “Toy Industry 101” for inventors, entrepreneurs, or anyone wanting to learn more about the toy business. The event is a primer for WIT Launch: Invent, an immersive 8-week virtual education program slated for Spring 2021 that will teach the nuances of taking a product from concept to retail.

“Female leadership matters, and its positive impact on business is more evident today than ever,” says Janice Ross, WIT President. “With WIT Launch, we’re building a pipeline of fresh ideas, actionable concepts, and distinct perspectives.”

The full-day learning experience takes place on Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

WIT LAUNCH: INNOVATION SUMMIT SESSIONS

  • Keynote by Jess Weiner, cultural expert and CEO of Talk To Jess
  • Where Do (Toy) Babies Come From?
  • The Building Blocks of Prototyping
  • If You See It, You Can Believe It: Representation in Toys
  • Expert Empower Hour: Live Sessions with Toy Industry Leaders
  • Pitch Perfect: The Do’s and Don’ts of Pitching Your Invention
  • WIT Launch: Innovation Summit Networking Happy Hour

WIT is an organization that we’ve worked with closely over the years. Several members of the Toy Insider team are WIT “Wonder Women,” having been honored for their contributions to the industry at the annual WIT Wonder Women Awards, which is traditionally held during Toy Fair New York each February.

If you’re ready to start your path into toys, registration is open for the WIT Launch: Innovation Summit.

The event is free for WIT members and $49 for non-members.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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