DAY 1 - WELCOME TO PHOENIX!

The same Weather Gods that smiled on the industry at Toy Fair 08 in February have decided to grace us with picture-perfect weather as ToyCon 2008 got underway at the lovely Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. A brilliant blue sky. Temperatures in the low to mid 80’s. Non-existent humidity. A cool, gentle breeze. What a great way to kick off the industry’s premiere networking event – the largest ToyCon in five years.

And kick it off we did, with relaxing rounds of golf and exciting sets of tennis on the luxurious grounds. (TIA’s very own Bill Osterholm claims he had the second-lowest golf score, but to tell you the truth, we’ve doubted everything he’s said since he came back from Moscow.) Old friends reconnected, new friends were made, war stories were shared and business cards exchanged amidst lots of laughter and good feelings.

As the sun began to set on the great Arizona desert and the stars began appearing in the sky, so did the stars of the toy industry come out to attend the ToyCon Welcome Reception. Andrea Barthello, Co-Founder, ThinkFun (ToyCon Conference Chair) and Bernie Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, China Cat Capital, LLC (ToyCon Vice Chair) welcomed over 200 of the industry’s movers and shakers on the Akimel Lawn, where they enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and heard opening remarks from special guest Avi Arad – fresh from the triumphant world premiere of his latest feature film Iron Man.

Arad, introduced by Hasbro COO Brian Goldner, reminisced about his early days in the toy industry – including life at The Toy Building and meeting industry friends at the luncheonette – and remarked that this event felt like a class reunion. In the early days, there was advertising, then animation – and then Star Wars. Star Wars changed everything, and in fact started a whole new category of toys: 3 ¾” scale action figures. After Star Wars, everyone realized that the most cherished product attribute was the brand.

Nowadays, the most successful brands understand the importance of convergence: using motion pictures, television, the computer, Internet and 3D to enhance the next generation of storytelling and play. “Times are changing, and kids are changing with it,” said Arad. “Don’t try to change the kids, they’ll win every time. Better to change WITH the kids. The future may be dangerous, but it holds huge opportunity, too.”

Immediately following the Welcome Reception, more than two dozen guests were escorted to one of four top Phoenix restaurants to enjoy Dinner with Friends – an innovative networking program that pairs up strangers (and soon-to-be friends) to enjoy dinner together. What a great way to bring first-time attendees together and make them feel comfortable!

See you tomorrow!