2026 Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference
Connect, Pitch, Learn at Largest & Longest Running Premier Inventor Event
Nov. 5 - 7, 2026, POP Week Experiences Continue Through the 8th
Thousands of Toy/Game Ideas Licensed!
At Embassy Suites in Rosemont, IL
between Chicago & O'Hare Airport
No other event offers you so many fun and unique networking opportunities with such easy access to everyone and everything! The Embassy Suites hotel suites surround an atrium that is an informal meeting space 24/7. All suites have separate living rooms with a four-person dining table for meetings, mini-kitchens and more. Also: 24-hr business center, complimentary breakfast each morning and cocktails/snacks each evening with your colleagues. Free shuttles to/from O'Hare airport and around Rosemont - no need for taxis/Lyfts/Ubers! Indoor pool/fitness center, brick over pizza and fabulous restaurants all within walking distance.
On Saturday and Sunday after the Conference and the TAGIE Awards, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair is literally across the street.
*New Inventor Track - A 6 ft wide pitch table is included in your registration. Please confirm you need a table.
**If you are a Professional Inventor or Product Acquisition Exec and have not received an invitation, please apply HERE.
Dan Klitsner's Top 10 Reasons he Never Misses the Inventor Pitch & Conference!
"Although I go to all the other toy fairs and many companies host their own pitch events, I’ve sold multiple concepts at POP over the years thanks to its superior setup. It’s the toy inventor community's best-kept secret, but I guess my guilt got the better of me—time to finally spill the beans..." READ MORE
2026 Conference Agenda — New Inventor & Conference Tracks
(Pro Track follows different agenda)
Wednesday Evening, November 4th
6pm - Hotel evening reception
7pm - Dave & Busters. Optional and casual. Everyone pays for their own orders. Located at 9870 Berwyn Ave, less than a mile from the hotel.
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Thursday, November 5th
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6:30 - 9:00am – Atrium - Breakfast at your leisure and a perfect opportunity to chat with someone in the industry.
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8:00 - 9:00am - Ballroom - Registration outside Ballroom/Conference room on first floor.
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9:00am Ballroom - Keynotes - Chris Gollaher, Director of Product Design at Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm & Steve Evans, Senior Director of Product Design (Marvel & Star Wars) at Hasbro. From Galaxy to Toy Aisle: How Disney & Hasbro Bring Star Wars Toys to Life! Designers from Disney & Hasbro share a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, collaboration and partnership involved in bringing Star Wars toys from idea to shelf.
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10:00 - 11:00 am - [Topic TBA] presented by Duracell - Steve Rad, CEO Abacus Brands moderates a panel with Yanira Wells, Duracell's Senior VP R&D and Arta Alagheband, Jazwares's VP Of Product Development
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11:00am - 12pm - AI & the Future of Toy & Game Innovation - Azhelle Wade explores how AI is changing ideation, design, development, marketing and the business of play.
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12:00 - 1:00pm – Ballroom - Lunch and networking for all tracks
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1:00 - 2pm - Elana Woldenberg Ruffman hand2mind and Learning Resource's CMO - Defending your consitutional rghts.
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2:00 - 3:00pm – Ballroom - From Trademarks to Trade Secrets: Safeguarding Brand Value in Collaborative Growth. Bring your questions! Michael W. Gray from Nixon Peabody - The fundamentals of intellectual property—trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets and the elements of a strong, business-ready NDA
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3:00 - 4:00pm - Ballroom - UIA's Toy Hub - The Perfect Pitch - Learn and even practice your pitch on these experts! Matt Nuccio (Design Edge) and others TBA.
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4:00 - 4:30pm - Ballroom - PR & Marketing - Making the Play - Amy Friedland (Carve Communications), Jackie Brooks (LOUDR Agency), Rachel Griffin (PlayWise Partners, and Tracy Dudkiewicz (TAP Marketing)
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4:30-5:00pm - Ballroom - Meet for drinks and get ready for the...
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5:00-7:00pm - Ballroom - The Big Pitch Walkabout Event & The Conference Awards Presentation - Dougal Grimes & Matt Nuccio
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Friday, November 6th
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6:30 - 9:30am – Atrium - Breakfast at your leisure and a perfect opportunity to chat with someone in the industry.
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10:00am - 5:00pm – Atrium - One-on-One Mentor Meetings - Book one-on-one meetings with experts in legal, design, shipping, manufacturing, retail, trade shows, exhibiting, social media, marketing/PR, pitching, finance and more!
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12:00 pm - Lunch is on your own. Many options at the hotel or a short walk away.
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4:00pm - Meet Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter, in the atrium.
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6:00pm - The Toy & Game Int'l Innovation Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs! Joe's LIVE, a 5-minute walk. Your admission to the TAGIEs is included in your Conference registration.
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Saturday, November 7th
Chicago Toy & Game Fair - Your Conference badge will give you complimentary admission to the Fair.
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7:30 - 10:30am – Atrium - Breakfast at your leisure. Great opportunity to have a chat with someone from industry.
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9:00am - 6pm The Chicago Toy & Game Fair right across the street at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center!
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Sunday, November 8th
Chicago Toy & Game Fair - Your Conference badge will give you complimentary admission to the Fair.
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7:30am - 10:30am – Atrium - Breakfast at your leisure. Great opportunity to have a chat with someone from industry.
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9:00 - 6pm The Chicago Toy & Game Fair right across the street at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center!
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6:00 - 7:30pm – Atrium - Evening Reception - complimentary drinks and snacks (hosted by Embassy Suites)
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Companies that Attended in 2025 Looking for Toy & Game Ideas
We Expect More in 2026!
2026 Host, Keynotes & Speakers!
Host - Azhelle Wade (On Brand with Jimmy Fallon)
Conference Emcee & AI Expert
The Toy Coach
In today's dynamic and ever-evolving world, the toy industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Join The Toy Coach for an engaging and insightful talk, "Unlocking Creativity: How AI Is Revolutionizing Toy Ideation and Pitching," where we'll delve into the fascinating realm of AI-driven innovation in the world of toys and games.
Imagine a world where the process of dreaming up new toys, refining their designs, and presenting them to the world has become faster, more efficient, and brimming with creative possibilities. During this enlightening session, we will demystify AI, explore tailored AI tools you can start using today, and experience a live AI demo.
Whether you're a toy designer, inventor, entrepreneur, or simply a curious individual interested in the intersection of technology and creativity, this talk promises to open your eyes to the exciting world of AI-driven toy innovation. ​
Keynotes!
From Galaxy to Toy Aisle: How Disney & Hasbro Bring Star Wars Toys to Life!
Chris Gollaher
Director of Product Design at Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm
Chris Gollaher brings the stories and characters of Star Wars to life through innovative consumer products and play experiences. A longtime member of the Lucasfilm team, Chris has worked with the company since 1998, collaborating with leading toy and entertainment partners to translate iconic storytelling into products for fans of all ages.
His work spans product design and development across the Star Wars galaxy, including collaborations with brands such as LEGO and Hasbro. Chris brings decades of experience at the intersection of storytelling, design, licensing and play.
Steve Evans
Senior Director of Product Design (Marvel & Star Wars) at Hasbro
Creative leader with 25+ years building entertainment and consumer product brands from the ground up, defining story worlds, characters, and visual identity, then translating them into cohesive products, packaging, and launch experiences across iconic IP. Energizes cross-functional teams to bring ideas to market that drive authentic consumer engagement and build lasting and loyal brand communities.
At Hasbro, this has meant progressing from graphic design into creative brand management, IP development, licensing, integrated digital platforms, TV and film brand consulting, and currently leading product design for Disney brands.
Work has spanned Star Wars, Marvel, Transformers, My Little Pony, and Power Rangers, among others, including devising a Monopoly brand refresh in 2007 that’s still in use today and co-creating HasLab in 2018, a new direct-to-collector platform for premium fan products.
Powered by Duracell - Topic TBA!
CEO @ Abacus Brands Inc.
Founder @ Backdrop.com​
Steve is a CPG enthusiast, and a true creator at heart. As a film and TV grad from USC in Los Angeles, Steve left the entertainment industry in 2013 to pursue publishing, which quickly turned into toys. It was there where his passion for product development would lead to innovative products and licenses, including the TOTY winning Bill Nye’s VR Science Kit, where augmented and virtual reality would merge with tangible play, blurring the lines between learning and fun.!
Yanira Wells
As Senior Vice President of Research & Development at Duracell
has spent 25+ years turning consumer insights into power — literally. As Senior Vice President of Research & Development at Duracell, she leads end-to-end innovation across battery platforms for B2C and B2B, from Front End Innovation to delivering initiatives to market. Her fingerprints are on products spanning categories as varied as toys and medical devices, built and scaled across developed and developing markets worldwide. Having led R&D teams across every major region, Yanira brings a global lens to innovation. Beyond the lab, she's driven by developing people, mentoring the next generation of technical leaders with the same rigor she applies to innovation.
Arta Alagheband,
Jazwares's VP Of Product Development
Protecting Your Constitutional Rights - Tariffs and More
Elana Ruffman is Chief Marketing Officer of Learning Resources, Educational Insights, hand2mind, and Brightkins, overseeing global marketing and strategy. She has a track record of scaling brands and expanding distribution, including growing Numberblocks to the #6 license in the U.S. and launching products into major retailers such as Target and Walmart. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Elana studied at Princeton University and began her career in engineering and software development. ​
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Media Relations, Influencer Marketing, Toy Fair and More!
Executive Vice President at Carve Communications
Working with Media & Influencers: A Blueprint for New Product Launches
Amy knows the toy and game PR business. She’s worked with the industry’s biggest names and the smallest startups, helping them with brand awareness, new product launches, influencer campaigns and more. In a nutshell, she helps her clients successfully move the needle at retail. Amy has spearheaded numerous award-winning campaigns that have driven explosive consumer awareness. Influencer campaigns that she manages generate important “eyeballs” that help translate into sales. She loves brainstorming with her clients and has been known to color outside the lines of traditional PR with some off the wall ideas! Plus, she’s helped nominate and win more than a few TOTY and TAGIE’s for her clients over the years. ​
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Co-Founder, Playwise Partners
Embodying the spirit of “work hard, play harder,” Rachel lives and breathes the business of play and boasts over two decades of children's entertainment PR and marketing experience. She is like a playtime ninja, stealthily launching oodles of toy brands and franchises for the giants of the industry including multiple Toy of the Year winners and nominees. And not only that, Rachel is an Advisory Board member for The Genius of Play and People of Play (formerly the Chicago Toy and Game Fair), a spokesperson for The Toy Association, a two-time Women In Toys: Wonder Woman of the Year Finalist, and a PRSA member, all of which showcase her genuine passion for all things play.
Along with PR, Rachel has a superpower for crafting mind-blowing promotions and campaigns that have increased brand awareness year over year. Whether it's dazzling media coverage or jaw-dropping events, Rachel is the maestro of all things to get brands noticed to drive sales.
President, TAP Marketing
Experienced Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the industry of Play/Toys/Entertainment. Strong entrepreneurial professional skilled in Management, Strategic Planning, Influencer Marketing, Copywriting, Consumer Products, and Advertising.
Jackie Brooks
CEO of The Loudr Agency
Loudr is a full-service growth partner helping brands scale through strategy, creative, media, technology, and AI. An entrepreneur and lifelong marketer, Jackie has transformed a family business into a fast-growing, people-first organization built around one belief: great businesses grow by empowering great people. She is passionate about consumer behavior, brand building, leadership, and creating experiences that turn customers into lifelong fans. Jackie brings a practical operator’s perspective to growth, innovation, and building brands that matter - and, as a mom of two, a front-row seat to the rapidly changing world of toys, games, and play.
From Trademarks to Trade Secrets
Intellectual Property Attorney - Nixon Peabody
I’m an IP attorney with 20 years of experience helping brand owners develop and
protect valuable intellectual property rights. I’m also a mechanical engineer and a
veteran of the U.S. Navy nuclear power program. I served about the U.S.S. Enterprise
(CVN-65). My IP experience covers a broad variety of subject matter areas, including in
the toy industry.
I’m an avid world traveler, having been to four oceans, six continents, and about 50
countries so far. I enjoy scuba diving and love retro and new video games. I recently
moved to Chicago and have lived all over the US.
Meet Everette Tyalor, CEO of Kickstarter!
Everette Taylor
CEO, Kickstarter
Everette leads the global crowdfunding platform dedicated to helping bring creative projects to life. A respected entrepreneur, marketing executive and passionate advocate for creators, Everette joined Kickstarter as CEO in 2022 after serving as Chief Marketing Officer of Artsy. Earlier in his career, he founded ET Enterprises and held leadership roles across technology, e-commerce and marketing. His accomplishments have earned recognition including Forbes 30 Under 30 and Forbes' World's Most Influential CMOs. At Kickstarter, Everette is focused on expanding opportunities and resources for creators and strengthening the communities that help turn ambitious ideas into reality.
Attend the Conference and Be on the Banner for the Class of 2026!
A Dan Klitsner (KID) & Steve Rad (Abacus Brands, Backdrop.com), Class Gift! Below are 2024 Yearbook Banners...
Industry Experts for One-on-One Mentoring on Friday
In-person or Zoom for 15 Minutes
More Mentors TBA!
CEO, BitOGenius, part of... Abacus Brands Inc.​
Marketing Strategist | Brand Management Strategic Partnerships | Communications
The Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards - The TAGIEs
Cellebrating Innovators and Kicking off
the 50th Anniversary of Star Wars!
This is a celebratory event you do not want to miss! Mark Friday, November 6th for the TAGIEs at Joe's LIVE - it is part of your ticket for the Conference and Pitch event! To reserve separately, click here.
Mentor/Judge at the Young Inventor Challenge November 7th at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (just across the street)
One of our most passionate and fun events! Make a difference in a child's life and encourage the next generation in our industry.
More information about mentoring, judging and sponsoring on this page!
What Past Attendees Say...
The POP Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference was my first introduction to the industry. If you believe in your toy or game, you simply must give yourself and your product a chance to fly. This is frankly the only convention I attend, and in a few short years I've licensed 8 games, most famously Blank Slate, which has sold millions of games to date.“ Bob Kamp
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"I look forward to the People of Play Inventor Conference and the TAGIEs every year! The toy and game community is an amazing group of people and Mary and this event have a way of amplifying all that is great about it. Where else can creators, inventors, manufacturers, retailers, and toy & game companies all come together for a few days in November to learn, share cool ideas and, if lucky, make that connection that leads to the next big thing? The energy is just so positive, and it reminds us of how lucky we are to do what we do. The POP inventor conference is not just about feeling good and celebrating our great industry though. - Angus Walker, Spin Master
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“The POP pitch event is the business opportunity you can’t miss. The opportunity to pitch to Mattel in person at POP was a game changer for me - they licensed a game and now it is in Walmart!" -Chrissy Fagerholt, EAP Toys and Games
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​Amazing show! The caliber of people and inventions were simply outstanding. The location is perfect! So convenient and affordable! Well done! -Erik Quam, Smart Toys
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POP Inventor Pitch/Conference is unique as the only industry show dedicated and specifically catering to game and toy inventors and the executives that influence the path of innovation for their respective companies. It’s also a terrific venue for networking as each year we emerge with new customers and stronger relationships. If you choose this vocation, it’s absolutely essential to attend. –Robert Fuhrer, NEXTOY
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We met with 20 companies from a list over 4x the size. I carefully culled the list down to who fits the concepts I am showing. I pitched 4 of our new games and now have contracts for two of them. It is cool and convenient to meet in individual suites as it is casual and fun, but the best part is the networking. Meeting the IR execs face to face as well as getting tips from other inventors throughout the event is key. The events are fantastically fun and over the top including the TAGIE Awards night where you feel like you are at the Grammys." -Kenn Morton, KidKenn
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Last November's POP Pitch set a record for licensing products for fun-damental . We licensed concepts in a variety of categories with existing clients as well as some new ones. I'll be back - Gary Pyper, Fun-damental invention UK
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POP Pitch meetings and connections we made were so invaluable we got more done in 3 days than we have in the past 3 yrs! It reinvigorated our spirits and gave us the boost we needed. I really can’t thank you enough or reiterate sufficiently how valuable that was for us. I already can’t wait for next year! -Alex Mackey, Lethal Chicken Games
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​It’s an annual rite of passage for our industry. Keep doing a great job bringing the community together and promoting the spirit of play.” –John Bell, Director, Product Design & Development, Buffalo Games​
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​"POP Week’s Professional Inventors Track is not just fertile ground for making the connections necessary to do business, it’s the annual gathering of the inventor tribe. In the whole wide world, there’s not a better place for independent toy and game inventors to go to catch up with each other, build friendships and strategic alliances, and spend quality time engaged with others who truly understand the nuances of the toy and game invention industry and share the common goal of expanding and improving our business opportunities. No other convention compares in personal warmth, richness of content, generosity of information sharing, and glorious un-rushed bubbles of quiet time to meet in depth and set a well-considered course right before the show season swings into hyper-warp mode and calm clarity morphs into frazzle." - Peggy Brown of Peggy Brown Creative
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“We are not mere creators of trinkets and insignificant baubles and playthings. we are the toymakers, the shamans, the wizards, the blacksmiths, the court jesters and sometimes even the town fool, and what we do – the toys that we create, contribute to the ever-evolving ever-advancing forward motion of the civilized world.” –Bruce Lund
"CHITAG/POP's Inventor Conferences are timed optimally. There is no better time of year for inventors to pitch ideas to us!"
Ben Dermer​, SVP Creative Development and Innovation. Deputy Creative Officer, Spin Master
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“One of the first purchases we made as a new design studio was to sign up for a full POP Pro membership. The relationships we have made, the lessons learned and ultimately the deals we have signed as a result of our involvement with POP has paid for itself many many times over. It could cost 10x as much and still be a deal!” -Jordan Goddard, Co-Founder, Indy Toy Lab
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