Ideas to Grow Your Business & Protect Against Threats at the Annual Business Conference

May 30, 2019 | In just a few weeks, The Toy Association’s Annual Business Conference will bring toy and youth entertainment industry executives together for two days of must-know content on critical issues facing toy companies today. Here are five reasons why industry professionals should attend:

1. Get Critical Information to Help Protect Your Business against Regulatory Threats
 Several conference sessions will provide attendees with information on critical regulatory and legislative topics, including:

  • An update on the U.S.-China trade war, potential future scenarios, and what toy professionals can do to reduce the impact on their companies
  • Cost-effective strategies and case studies on how companies can combat counterfeiters
  • A CPSC compliance update including what companies need to do to when it comes to import surveillance, third-party testing, reporting product incidents, and other issues

2. Glimpse Inside Target’s Business Practices
Target executives will share unique perspectives and offer actionable tips to help attendees navigate the evolving toy and retail landscapes. Presentations led by Target executives will cover:

  • The future of retail
  • The role of licensing
  • How partnering with Roundel (Target’s reimagined media company) will help brands meet their needs, drive measurable business results, and maximize media investments
  • Responsible sourcing and Target’s focus on product quality, worker well-being, and removing hazardous chemicals
  • The role of play and leisure and its impact on guest experiences

3. Ideas to Grow Your Business
The conference also features special sessions offering actionable growth ideas, including:

  • The future of the toy industry and understanding how the changing toy, entertainment, and retail landscapes will affect toy companies in 2019 and beyond, presented by The NPD Group
  • The rise of influencer marketing, featuring a panel of experts who will discuss the role of online influencers within the overall marketing mix and how companies can use influencers to amplify their PR strategies

4. Strategies to Optimize Your Finance & Credit Operations
Learn about a variety of finance and credit issues aimed at making companies more efficient and profitable – and better protected against troubled retailers. Topic highlights include:

  • The financial health of key retail customers, and an analysis on the risk of extending credit to certain retailers
  • Selling direct to consumers and e-commerce tax implications
  • First-hand experiences of top industry executives with regards to mergers, acquisitions, and private equity transactions
  • Current and emerging deduction trends and strategies for supply chain, credit, and collections
  • Making the most of your short-term assets including receivables and inventory

5. Network with Friends and Colleagues
At the close of the first day, attendees are invited to mix and mingle with Target leadership and fellow conference attendees at a networking reception and dinner, sponsored by Red Points, at the historic Mill City Museum on the Mississippi riverfront from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is included with conference registration and transportation will be provided.

The Annual Business Conference will take place June 18 to 19 at the Minneapolis Hilton in Minneapolis, MN. For information about registration, hotel bookings, the conference agenda, and more, visit ToyAssociation.org/ABC.