Events News

Annual Opening of TAGIE Award Nominations Kicks Off with Announcement of New Name and New Virtual Program for 2020

In the spirit and theme of “Celebration,” the TAGIE Awards will boldly continue this year by expanding its platform honoring the best and brightest innovators, designers and marketers in the toy and game industry.

 As nominations for the annual TAGIE Awards open, The Chicago Toy & Game Group is announcing a number of changes to make the toy and game industry’s preeminent design, innovation and marketing awards bigger and better than ever. First, in acknowledgement of the global reach the 13 year old program has attained, the TAGIEs will be renamed the Toy & Game International Excellence Awards. This slight name change reflects the support of people in over 150 countries that are a part of the Chicago Toy & Game Group’s community, whether online or in person.

 2020 TAGIE Award Nominations are open through August 15th.

Submit your nominations HERE.

 Also new this year, The Chicago Toy & Game Group is adding Most Innovative Supplier as a category for the TAGIE Awards. There’s no doubt that suppliers have been a vital part of keeping the toy and game industry going during the pandemic. Many have been forced to get creative and come up with inventive ways to get supplies to manufacturers. The Chicago Toy & Game Group recognizes this and wants to honor these clever individuals and companies with the addition of this new award.

Here is the complete list of eight categories now open for nominations for the 2020 TAGIE Awards:

●      Toy Innovator of the Year 

●      Game Innovator of the Year

●      Rising Star Innovator of the Year

●      Young Inventor of the Year  

●      Innovative Art and Visuals of the Year   

●      Innovative PR & Marketing Team of the Year  

●      Most Innovative Retailer Award

●      NEW THIS YEAR! Most Innovative Supplier

Nominations are open today through August 15th. Submit your nominations HERE.

Ten finalists from each category will be announced on September 15th when voting opens to the general public, media and industry.

Nominees will be revealed during an incredible virtual program with the theme of “Celebration.” The date is still pending, but participants can expect an amazing line-up of your favorite toy and game innovators plus a number of very special celebrations including:

●      90th Anniversary of Fisher-Price

●      85th Anniversary of Monopoly

●      75th Anniversary of Mattel

●      70th Anniversary of Rummikub

●      40th Anniversary of Rubik’s Cube

●      25th Anniversary of Winning Moves

●      20th Anniversary of Razor

●      10th Anniversary of the Rainbow Loom

Coming back to host the TAGIEs for a second year is Karri Bean, Senior Manager, Licensing at Disney Consumer Products, Experiences and Consumer Products. The keynote speaker will be JoAnn McLaughlin, Senior Vice President of Hardlines Product Development, Disney Parks Experiences & Products.