The Young Inventor Challenge recognised kid-inventors from around the world.
Chicago Toy and Game (CHITAG) Fair, the largest event during CHITAG Week, welcomed more than 30,000 attendees to the experiential and immersive playground at Navy Pier in Chicago.
On the first day of the Fair, the annual Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) showcased the youngest toy makers. More than 250 creative kids competed in the challenge and each participant received written feedback from over 100 seasoned industry professionals, with specialities in product development, acquisition, innovation and marketing. These mentors represented top toy and retail companies such as Mattel, Yulu, Kid Group, Target, Ideo, Nextoy, Getta1Games and more.
Attendees were greeted by more than 140 interactive toy and game exhibits, immersive events and activities for all ages, created by leading toy and game brands from around the world.
Hasbro’s gave its first public demonstration of the new Star Wars D-O remote-controlled droid, while attendees also enjoyed Jakks Pacific’s interactive Sven’s Frozen Adventure Scavenger Hunt and Yvolution’s ride-on arena with My Buddy Wheels balance bikes. Adults enjoyed the Beer Garden with grown-up games, including the new Throw Throw Burrito from the makers of Exploding Kittens. Attendees also snapped selfies with the Little Tikes 50th Anniversary adult-sized Cozy Coupe, Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Additionally, attendees received the CHITAG Holiday Gift Guide which features top toys and games created by leading innovators recognised as Toy & Game Innovation Award nominees.
The annual consumer event was preceded by the Toy & Game Innovation Awards and the CHITAG Inventor and Innovation Conferences, where new and professional inventors and design students interacted with 105 top toy and game acquisition executives from 70 companies, including Mattel, Goliath, Hasbro, Spin Master, PlayMonster, Fat Brain Toys and The Michael Kohner Corporation. Keynote speakers included Richard Dickson, president & COO at Mattel.
The 2020 CHITAG Week and the 18th annual CHITAG Fair will take place next year, on the weekend before Thanksgiving, on 19th-22nd November 2020. All details will be released as they become available at CHITAG.com.
