Hundreds of University Students Attend Student Congress Day at Toy Fair®

October 20, 2023 | Nearly 300 university students from 18 states attended Student Congress Day at Toy Fair®, which took place on Sunday, October 1 at the Javits Center in New York City.

The day-long event hosted undergraduates from 43 schools. The students were treated to a day of networking, presentations, and panels hosted by power players in the industry.

“Student Congress Day brought together an inspiring group of nearly 300 university students of various disciplines who were there to learn about and make connections within the toy industry,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association™. “Fostering this vibrant community is essential as it introduces these talented undergraduates to the dynamic world of the toy industry. It's not just a day of networking and presentations; it's a gateway for them to explore diverse career opportunities and gain valuable insights from industry leaders, laying the foundation for their future contributions to our exciting and innovative field.”

Students learned about the scope of careers available in the toy industry during a panel presentation led by Kathleen Campisano, global chief marketing officer of Beacon Media Group, and participating companies Barnes & Noble, Build-A-Bear, Crazy Aaron’s, Future Today, Hasbro, and Mattel. In addition, Genna Rosenberg, CEO of GennComm, and Jennifer Caveza, chair of toy design at Otis College of Art & Design, held an open discussion that delved into Caveza's experience in the children’s entertainment sector, encompassing executive roles at toy companies, major studios, and world-renowned brands.

In addition to the Student Congress agenda, students had their portfolios reviewed by The Artisan Social Club, a non-profit that brings industry professionals together to provide insight, direction, and mentorship to the next generation of creatives; took advantage of internship and first-hire recruitment sessions hosted by Paramount, Hasbro, Target, and Jazwares at The Toy Foundation™ booth; and visit exhibitors’ booths on the show floor.

Toy companies interested in participating in future Student Congress activity may contact Jacqueline Retzer, director of event management at The Toy Association.