Learning Express Toys

Following the conclusion of Learning Express Toys‘ 22nd annual Convention and Vendor Expo in New Orleans, vendors and exhibitors donated thousands of toys to the Marine Toys for Tots Program.

The event, which took place June 23 to 26, brought toy and game makers face to face with more than 100 Learning Express franchise owners to showcase new products. This year’s theme took inspiration from New Orleans’ Mardi Gras tradition — “Unmask Your Store’s Potential!”

Marine Toys For Tots ProgramDonations received at the close of this year’s Convention range from art kits, to infant toys, to sports equipment — all set to benefit kids in the local area.

“We are humbled and grateful to have such generous and wonderful toy vendors that are willing to donate new toys to children in need,” says  Sharon DiMinico, CEO and founder of Learning Express Toys. “We are also extremely grateful for the Toys for Tots organization for coordinating and facilitating these substantial donations.”

“We believe every child deserves a little Christmas.  Less fortunate children within the New Orleans area will be overjoyed to receive these toys,” adds retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Learning Express Toys has been a very valuable partner in helping Toys for Tots deliver a message of hope to children in need.”

Plans are already underway for the 23rd annual Learning Express Toys Convention and Vendor Expo, set to take place in Chicago next June.

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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