Connect with Inventors Behind TOTY® Finalists through The Toy Hub’s ‘Meet the Inventor’ Series at Toy Fair

February 5, 2025 | The United Inventors Association’s (UIA) Toy Hub will launch its “Meet the Inventor” series at Toy Fair®, featuring sessions with seven inventors behind Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) finalist products.

Toy Fair attendees are invited to stop by The Toy Hub’s booth (3152) on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 to meet with inventors. Guests at each session will receive the featured toy, while supplies last. Refer to the schedule below to make your plans:

• 10-11 a.m. — Austin Hillam, co-inventor (with Stephen Fazio) of the Zip String Luma manufactured by ZipString, nominated for Educational Toy of the Year
• 11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Jim McCafferty from JMP Creative, inventor of the Sticki Rolls Sticki Book manufactured by Sky Castle Toys, nominated for Collectible of the Year
• 1-2 p.m. — Eric Olsen, inventor of Flip 7 manufactured by The Op, nominated for Game of the Year
• 3-4 p.m. — Martin Lombardi, founder of Lombardini Integrated Technologies, LLC and inventor of Cornhole Shootout manufactured by ABetter Design Company, nominated for Outdoor Toy of the Year (this item will not be featured in the giveaway due to its size)
• 4-5 p.m. — Ken Gruhl, co-inventor (with Eric Lang) of Life in Reterra manufactured by Hasbro Inc., nominated for Game of the Year

• 10-11 a.m. — Troy Fisher, founder of Fischo Innovation and inventor of Magic Mixies Pixie Supremes Magic Mirror manufactured by Moose Toys, nominated for Doll of the Year
• 11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Steve Moore from Tantrum Innovation, inventor of Pictionary vs. AI manufactured by Mattel, Inc., nominated for Tech Toy of the Year
• 3-4 p.m. — Scott Landsbaum, business lawyer for companies and creators, and host of the “Meet The Attorney” session

“The ‘Meet The Inventor’ series exemplifies our mission to empower inventors through education, access, and advocacy,” said Matt Nuccio, executive board member of the UIA, chairman of The Toy Hub, and president of Design Edge. “Our inventor community comes from diverse backgrounds with varied areas of expertise, and we’re proud to kick off this new series by offering Toy Fair attendees the opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the brightest minds in our industry.”

Founded in October 2022 by the UIA, the largest inventor member organization in the U.S., the Toy Hub is guided by an advisory board of trusted industry experts and strives to help inventors navigate the toy business. The organization provides its members with educational resources, events, webinars, newsletters, and networking opportunities with like-minded individuals. The Toy Association serves on The Toy Hub advisory board.

Toy Fair® will take place March 1 to 4, 2025 at the Javits Center in New York City. Attendee registration and hotel bookings are now open. Limited space is available to secure a spot to exhibit. Visit ToyFairNY.com to learn more and follow #ToyFairLife for the latest show updates.