People of Play has announced the finalists for the 2023 Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, and voting is taking place now.
Finalists for the TAGIE Awards have been announced by People of Play (POP). The TAGIEs, now in its 16th year, honour the most innovative inventors, designers, suppliers, retailers, marketers and PR teams in the toy and game industry. Public voting started on Thursday, September 21st and ends on October 20th, 2023. Readers are invited to visit the TAGIE Awards Finalist page to learn about the finalists and cast their vote.
Winners in nine categories will receive their TAGIE trophies on November 3rd, 2023, in front of a live audience of their peers at Joe’s Live Concert Venue. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
“We are excited to kick off the holidays by shining a light on the innovators that inspire us, and who are the beating heart of the toy industry,” said Karri Bean, TAGIE Awards Host and senior manager, Licensing at Disney Consumer Products, Experiences and Consumer Products. “You all inspire us daily. The TAGIEs are our opportunity to give back and celebrate your accomplishments.”
Alongside the nine winners, People of Play will also honour the following Games Changers: Unsung Heroes: Michael Gramelspacher, Jon Harter, & SG Labs, club organizers for St. Clare School Innovator Club; and Tara McGrath. creative director, Inventor Relations and Innovations, Mattel.
People of Play issued its congratulations to all the 2023 innovative and inspiring finalists. The categories being awarded are:
- Toy Innovator of the Year
- Game Innovator of the Year
- Rising Star Innovator of the Year
- Most Innovative PR and Marketing Team of the Year
- Most Innovative Art & Design Visuals of the Year
- Most Innovative Supplier of the Year
- Most Innovative Retailer of the Year
- Most Innovative Licence of the Year
- Young Innovator of the Year (under 18 years old)
In the Most Innovative Retailer of the Year category, Toy World is pleased to see its regular contributors David Middleton and Richard Derr, of Midco Toymaster (UK) and Lake Zurich’s Learning Express (US), recognised. Billed by Pop as “Brothers in Retail”, Toy World first interviewed Rick and Dave on the same Teams meeting, back in March 2022, to find out how the pair differ and the many things they have in common. Several articles, in person visits and collaborations later, the result is a close friendship and partnership that we’re only too happy to keep our readers up to date with.
Full details of all the finalists can be found here.
Those that were successful in 2022 can be found here.
