Nominations for this year’s Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIE) Lifetime Achievement Award are officially open.
For the 2026 title, People of Play is looking for innovators across all areas of the play industry with long-term experience and accomplishments, innovative product or marketing introductions, charitable efforts benefiting kids and their causes, and an unimpeachable record of integrity. Anyone in the industry may submit a candidate for consideration until May 31, with winners to be announced at the TAGIE Awards on Nov. 6, as part of People of Play’s annual POP Week celebration.
“The heart of this industry has always been its people — the creators who dare to imagine something new and bring it to life,” said Mary Couzin, Senior Vice President and Founder/Leader of People of Play at The Toy Association. “The TAGIE Awards celebrate that spirit of innovation and connection, and the Lifetime Achievement honor recognizes those whose contributions have paved the way for generations of inventors and innovators.”
Last year’s Lifetime Achievement Honorees include Mike Moody, CEO of Seven Towns, and Phil Orbanes, game designer and founding partner of Winning Moves Games. Other past Lifetime Achievement Honorees include Mary Danby and Dan Romanelli, who were honored in 2024; Jill Barad and Rouben Terzian, who were honored in 2023; Leslie Scott, Kantaro Tomiyama, and Alan Hassenfeld, who were honored in 2022; Tom Kalinske, Michelle Litzky, and the Pressman Family, who were all honored in 2021; and Erno Rubik, who was honored in 2020.
Nominations for the TAGIE Lifetime Achievement Award are open until May 31. To submit a member of the industry for consideration, visit People of Play’s website.
