Chicago International Toy & Game Fair and DiscoverGames News

January 2007

DiscoverGames.com will be at NY Toy Fair in Booth #1346 Javits. Once again we will co-ordinate a Game Industry Dinner, GIG, on Tuesday, February 13^th at Connolly’s Pub on 45th. A casual gathering starting at 6 pm. Come for drinks and/or dinner. FRV Group, www.frvgroup.com, is generously sponsoring an appetizer bar, Rolco Inc., www.rolcoinc.com is giving away a $75 Barnes and Noble gift certificate and Tim Walsh his Timesless Toys book, www.theplaymakers.com. Space is limited, so please rsvp asap. mary@discovergames.com.

Chi-Tag has partnered with the City of Chicago for their exciting new summer campaign The Art of Play with worldwide promotion. This is the perfect opportunity for you to reach millions of people. Some of the projects include Games for Guests in the Hotels and filling the Game/Toy Cart pushed around the airports to keep travelers busy during delays (over 86 million passengers pass through O’Hare and Midway each year). Email Mary Couzin, mcouzin@chitag.com, or Aaron Gessner, AARONGESS@aol.com, if you are interested in these or other opportunities.

What is The Art of Play?

The Art of Play is the theme for Chicago’s 2007 summer tourism campaign. This summer, Chicagoans and tourists, young and old, will get the opportunity to play all over the city. Programming is being developed around toys and highly interactive games that will take place both indoors and outdoors. This is an opportunity to celebrate some inventors from Chicago and games that are unique to this area, as well as games played around the world represented by different cultural organizations within the City. We will also feature visual and performing arts programming that incorporate the theme, as well as program a game center at the Chicago Tourism Center. The Art of Play is presented by the Chicago Office of Tourism and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, the Mayors Office of Special Events, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism, and dozens of program partners throughout Chicago.

Chi-Tag 2007 will be held November 16th – 18th at The Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center. Returning exhibitors reported a more engaged crowd buying more products at our new venue. At least 2 major licensing deals for products found at Chi-Tag will be announced soon. Remarks from exhibitors and attendees are below. Join us this year for Chi-Tag 2007! www.Chitag.com