 Marketplace & Academy,
presented by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
Sunday, June 16 through
Wednesday, June 19
Nashville Convention Center
by Tina Manzer
1. Everyone will be there.
It’s the largest show designed just for the specialty toy industry. For the last three years, attendance numbers have broken the record set the year before. Expect to see about 1,500 of your industry peers.
2. It’s easy to get to.
Nashville is within 600 miles of 50 percent of the U.S. population. No matter what mode of transportation you take, it’s easily accessible. The convention center is right in the heart of the city, and only 8 miles from the airport.
3. There will be lots of good music.
Some of the best music and fun anywhere. Nashville was recently named among the top five best places to visit in the world this year by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
4. You’ll see products for your store that no one else has seen before.
There are 85 new or first-time exhibitors who are launching brand new, revealed-for-the-first-time products.
5. The majority of exhibitors offer show specials and discounts that are not available anywhere else.
There are 350 exhibitors, people. You will save money!
6. You will not believe the amount of how-to information you will take home and actually do to make your business better.
Here’s a partial list of what you’ll learn: How to change business-as-usual to achieve better results, how to build better business relationships, how to save money, how to improve staff meetings, how to create beautiful displays, how to improve inventory performance to increase profitability, how to create an online storefront, how to play the best new games, how to match children with special needs to products on your store’s shelves, how to master self promotion, how to motivate your staff, how to plan better, and more!
7. Everyone is nice.
And they don’t want you to feel left out, especially if this is your first ASTRA show. If you’re new, don’t miss “The breakfast is on us!” on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. Veteran ASTRA members will teach you how to get the most out of the show.
8. ASTRA knows how to throw a party (or two or three).
In addition to a meet-and-greet on Saturday night, there are cocktails in the exhibit hall on Monday. The famous Opening Reception will be held Sunday. Dress like a cowboy and get your picture taken in the photo booth. There will be line dancing and a giant moustache matching game.
9. You can play new board games with hundreds of fellow retailers.
At Game Night on Monday, you and your staff will rotate through a ballroom set up with 45 different new games. Play and have fun, then go home and sell them.
10. ASTRA members will recognize and honor excellence.
The names of people you do business with every day may be called: an excellent manufacturer, retailer and sales rep, plus a lifetime achiever. Maybe they’ll call your name. Find out how high these people set the bar.
11. For every order you write, you receive a ticket for a raffle of special prizes.
Drop your tickets in the drum at ASTRA’s booth 722. The drawing takes place Wednesday. You have to be there to win.
12. The exhibit hall is open two full days so you can see all the products.
You don’t even have to leave for lunch.
Schedule
Saturday, June 15
Noon to 6 p.m. Registration
6 to 8 p.m. Meet and Greet at the Bridge Bar at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Just show up and have fun.
Sunday, June 16
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. New to ASTRA and Marketplace? Then “The Breakfast is On Us!”
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Opening Keynote: Escape Ordinary and Choose to be Extraordinary,
Jon Acuff, The Lampo Group
Sessions
11 a.m. to Noon
Staff Meetings Everyone Wants To Attend, Phil Wrzesinski, Toy House and Baby Too
The 5 Cs of Social Media Dominance, Jon Acuff, The Lampo Group
Retail panel: How to Create Beautiful Store Windows and Effective Displays
Improve Inventory Performance and Increase Profitability, Paul Erickson, RMSA Retail Solutions
For New Inventors and Manufacturers – Packaging, Production, Trends, Working with Retailers and Reps, panel discussion moderated by Mary Couzins, Chicago Toy & Game Group
Noon to 1 p.m. Lunch
Sessions
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Connect Children with Special Needs to Toys and Games on Your Shelves, Ellen Metrick, National Lekotek Center
Establish Your Online Storefront, Don Hays, Specialty Toys Network
Technology and The Balance of Power Between Retailers and Consumers, Paul Erickson, RMSA Retail Solutions
Understanding Your Brand, Phil Wrzesinski, Toy House and Baby Too
New Inventors and Manufacturers: Licensing, Social Media, Gamification, Marketing and International Markets, panel discussion moderated by Mary Couzins, Chicago Toy & Game Group
3 to 4 p.m. Roundtable Discussion for Reps – Leading from the Middle, Lillian Davis, Diverse Marketing and Nicole Bortnick, BGN Sales Group
3 to 5 p.m.
Kits, Kits and More Kits (Retailers Only)
5 to 6 p.m.
MAP, MSRP and RPM – What’s Legal and How Do You Enforce It? A panel discussion for all members moderated by Todd R. Seelman, Lathrop & Gage LLC
7 to 11 p.m. Opening Reception
Monday, June 17
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration
7:30 to 8 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
8 to 9:30 a.m. ASTRA’s Annual Business Meeting and Awards Presentation
9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Exhibit Floor Open
Best Toys for Kids 2013 Finalists Display & Voting
Noon to 1 p.m. Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social
5 to 6 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7 to 10 p.m. Game Night (Retailers Only)
Tuesday, June 18
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration Open
8 to 9 a.m. Continental Breakfast
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Exhibit Floor Open
Best Toys for Kids 2013 Finalists Display & Voting
Noon to 1 p.m. Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Wednesday, June 19
7:30 a.m. to Noon Registration Open
8 to 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
Sessions
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Small Store Roundtables – Good Ideas That Are Just Your Size, Idanna Smith, The Good Toy Group
Master Self-Promotion For Your Store,
Tim Holliday, Children’s World & Children’s World Uniform Supply
Shifting Opinions: Buy Local Campaign 101, Lily Brislen for the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA)
Tactical Steps for Strategic Success, Chris Hogan, The Lampo Group
10 a.m. to Noon Closing Keynote: Playing, Leading, and Succeeding, Chris Hogan, The Lampo Group
Visit our Advertisers at Marketplace
Adora by Charisma
booth 1015
See ad on page 30
Asmodee
booth 934
12 games for the price of 11, plus 50% off demo copy.
Free shipping for orders over $500.
See ad on page 53
BERG USA
booth 546
See ad on page 56
Blue Orange Games
booth 733
Free freight with $750. Free freight and net 60 with $1,000.
See ad on page 18
Chicago Toy and Gift
booth 837
Sampler – Order 3 each of any 20 different SKUs = FFA.
$400 = Receive extra $50 free merch – new customers.
See ad on page 9
Elenco
booth 1001
With an $800 net order, net 60 days dating, 5% discount, FFA. All orders written at the ASTRA Convention.
See ad on page 8
Endless Games
booth 619
See ad on page 11
Family Games America FGA
booth 1242
See ad on page 7, 51
Fat Brain Toy Co.
booth 1222
Free freight on orders $500+. Mention promo code: ASTRA-2. Expires June 24, 2013.
See ad on page 21
Folkmanis
booth 817
See ad on page 64
FS-USA
booth 916
See ad on page 45
HABA
booth 1106
FFA at $500
See ad on page 15
Jax Ltd.
booth 709
See ad on page 13, 52
Mayfair Games Inc.
booth 217
See ad on page 26, 44
Merchant Technologies
booth 707
See ad on page 45
Monkeez Makes a Difference – Goofballz
booth 219
Free freight on all orders over $250. Free Monkeez or Goofballz fixture for orders over $500. 90 day terms for orders over $1,000.
See ad on page 17
OgoSport LLC
booth 1014
See ad on page 55
The Orb Factory
booth 906
$250 = FFA, net 30. $1,000 = FFA, 5%, net 60. $1,500 = FFA, 5%, net 90. $2,500 = FFA, 7%, 1/1/14 dating.
See ad on page 27
PATCH Products
booth 1342
Stop by to find out how you can save 20+% on our exciting NEW brands, Mirari and Planet Sock Monkey! Additional specials available also!
See ad on page 43
PlaSmart
booth 1000
See ad on page 6
The Reading Game/Allsaid & Dunn LLC
booth 1018
See ad on page 28
Reindeer Magic/ Kavik Publishing
booth 1316
Stop by booth #1316 to take advantage of our specially priced Gift Box and Gift Bag Packages!
See ad on page 61
Safari Ltd.
booth 823
$100 – FFA. $350 – net 30 FFA. $750 – net 90, FFA, 5% discount.
See ad on page 23
Small World Toys
booth 900
See ad on page 2
Smart Toys and Games Inc.
booth 125
See ad on page 37
Specialty Toys Network
booth 427
New signups get FREE membership and hosting through 2013! Save up to $600. Attend our retail session at ASTRA,1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, “Establish Your Online Storefront.”
See ad on page 58
Talicor Inc.
booth 326
See ad on page 58
Thames & Kosmos
booth 724
$500 = net 60, 1 free E&M ($50 retail value);$1000 = Net60, 2%, free E&M ($50 retail value); $2,000 = net 60, FFA, 2f free E&M ($100 retail value) – Plus: FFA on reorders $500+ through 12/31/13.
See ad on page 25
TMI Toymarketing International
booth 1216
See ad on page 28
USAopoly Inc.
booth 924
Low minimum and display rack with purchase of 24 games. Centrally located Midwest shipping location. Free demos available. 8% off orders placed at show.
See ad on page 5
Wiggity Bang Games
booth 320
See ad on page 3
Wikki Stix
booth 1114
Free freight with orders of $250 or more.
See ad on page 29
WoolPets
booth 339
FFA on all show orders. $200 = 3% discount; $500 = 5% discount. Free
sample kits sent with all new orders.
See ad on page 54
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