The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is offering a two-month introductory membership intended to give toy industry professionals access to the nationwide ASTRA network for sharing COVID-19-related business strategies.

“One of the greatest strengths of ASTRA has always been our members’ willingness to share toy business insights and ideas based on real life experience on the frontlines,” says Kimberly Mosley, president of ASTRA. “We’ve created the short-term membership option to increase access to the ASTRA network during this unprecedented time. We encourage everyone in the independent toy industry to help each other and share what’s working, what’s happening, and how you are coping. ASTRA has long been the hub for this type of mission-critical networking, and now that access to the best ideas in the business is more important than ever.”

ASTRA members receive manufacturer discounts on products where applicable and may receive discounts on ASTRA educational resources.

Trial memberships are available through May 31. For more information or to start a trial membership, contact Sue Warfield, member relations director, at 312-222-0984 or swarfield@astratoy.org.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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