The American Specialty Toy Retailing Affiliation (ASTRA) has opened registration for the 2026 Market and Academy, scheduled to happen from June 5 to eight at The Baird Heart in Milwaukee. Early-bird pricing is obtainable by June 31 as ASTRA prepares to convey its membership and the broader specialty toy group collectively for 4 days of programming, networking, and show-floor exercise.
“In immediately’s panorama, the place business developments shift sooner than ever, ASTRA’s Market & Academy is greater than a present. It’s the place the place concepts are exchanged, and partnerships are constructed,” says ASTRA President, Sue Warfield. “We’re proud to convey this group collectively below one roof so we will collectively drive progress, management, and unite round our shared perception that play issues.”
The Market and Academy will once more function a hub for impartial retailers, producers, gross sales representatives, and business professionals, that includes instructional classes led by business consultants and thought leaders. This 12 months’s agenda features a keynote from Michelle Thaller, an astronomer and former Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA Goddard Area Flight Heart. Attendees can anticipate hands-on product demonstrations, breakout discussions, and insights on points shaping immediately’s specialty retail panorama.
The ASTRA Play Awards will return with an expanded presence, highlighting finalists all through the present ground within the new ASTRA Expertise, a devoted content material creation house for exhibitors and influencers. Winners might be introduced through the Star Awards Gala.
ASTRA goals to make use of the occasion to strengthen relationships throughout the specialty toy sector and assist members in constructing sustainable, community-focused companies. Registration and extra event data can be found on-line at astratoy.org.
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