The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced that comedian, television personality, and nonprofit leader Jeff Civillico will open ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy 2020. The closing keynoter will be former business executive Kevin Brown, author of The HERO Effect. This year’s Marketplace & Academy, themed More than a Toy Show, will take place June 7-10, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.
“When the independent toy industry gets together, we do a lot of laughing and learning,” said Kimberly Mosley, president of ASTRA. “This year’s keynoters will help us continue that tradition. We hope all attendees will leave Orlando renewed and inspired.”
Jeff Civillico produces and headlines Comedy in Action, his own one-man clean comedy show at Paris Las Vegas, a Caesars Entertainment property. The show has been awarded three “Best of Las Vegas” awards and named by several lists of top things to do in Vegas.He has hosted national programs on ABC, NBC, ESPN, Travel Channel, Cooking Channel, and more. He is the founder and chair of Win-Win Entertainment, a 501c3 national nonprofit based in Las Vegas that creates opportunities for professional entertainers, athletes, and celebrities to share their time and talent with children in need. Civillico will open ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy on Sunday, June 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Eastern time.
Kevin Brown, author of The HERO Effect, will close ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy. For nearly two decades Brown was a sales and marketing executive who helped grow a little-known family business into an industry giant with annual revenues reaching two billion dollars. After a career in franchising that spanned 30 years, Brown retired from corporate America to help individuals and organizations expand their vision, develop their potential, and grow their results. Brown’s keynote presentation will take place during ASTRA’s closing session and luncheon on Wednesday, June 10 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Special Early Bird registration rates for ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy are available through Wednesday, February 25. Register online or at the ASTRA Booth at Toy Fair at Javits booth 6511.