Toy Industry Shines at Toy & Game Inventor Awards
From Gifts and Dec
One of the beautiful ladies who hosted winners off the stage
It was a stellar night in Chicago as toy people and those who love them gathered for what has become the industry's marquis event, the Toy & Game Inventor Awards. There were close to 400 well- dressed people from 18 countries gathered under the Mastodon (or maybe it was a Mammoth, I am never sure) at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History.
I was one of the presenters and my only complaint was that the host of the event, Tim Walsh, is roughly six fee twenty inches tall making anyone standing next to him look like a Hobbit. I am asking that in the future, presenters be allowed to either bring a small step ladder on to the stage or that Mr. Walsh be asked to stand in a hole.
Despite his height, Tim was his typical funny, warm and urbane self, providing a smooth transition as numerous individuals made their way across the stage. There were a number of excellent speakers and presenters but I would like to single out keynote speaker Bruce Lund for his ringing endorsement of toys, the toy industry and the important role both play in the lives of children and adults.
Below is a list of those who won awards; congratulations to them and to all who were nominated. It was by no means an All American affair, so I have noted those winners who were from other countries:
Excellence in Toy Design - Tony Morley
Excellence in Game Design - Leslie Scott (United Kingdom)
Rising Star Inventor - Martin Nedergaard Andersen (Denmark)
Young Inventors of the Year - Seth and Alexia Kempe
Excellence in Electronic Toy or Game Design - Apptivity Hot Wheels from Mattel
Excellence in Character Design - Dora the Explorer from Nickelodeon
Hassenfeld Family Humanitarian Award - Peter and Andrew Brown (United Kingdom)
Lifetime Achievement Award - Theo Coster Family (Israel)
Inventor Advocacy - Mel Taft
In Memoriam - Stan Clutton
Congratulations to everyone; if you have never attended the Toy & Game Inventor Awards, make sure you do next year. It is truly an outstanding event.
Warren commented:
dude its cool matt tracker was made for nloisogta reasons but in a way he was a waste of space in that wave, they could have gave us something we need like dr mindbender or wetsuit. really though they should remake a mask line, that would be tits. also centurions need to be made as well in 3 3/4 style. clear wraith must be ivisible because i still havnt found him either. and zartans swamp skier is a joke. anyway good review man.
bruce lund commented:
Thanks Richard. Well said, and I hope you will take a check. Look forward to a chat one day. Great to see you. Too bad about Tim being so tall. Glad I didn't have to share the stage with him myself.
And as always, it was great to see you.
Tim Walsh commented:
Thanks, Richard.
p.s. You owe me 5 bucks
