At Spielwarenmesse 2019, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, expert talks will take place at the Toy Business Forum between 1 and 3 p.m. in Hall 3A. Each day is devoted to a different topic area that represents an aspect of the toy industry.
Wednesday’s topic will be #trend, with toy trend expert Reyne Rice; Richard Gottlieb, CEO of Global Toy Experts; and Frank Rehme of gmvteam GmbH, analyzing toy industry trends around the world.
Thursday’s topic is #retail, discussing the future of brick-and-mortar retailers in the era of online trade. The panel will include Christian Prill; Klaus-Dieter Koch; Claudia Rivinius of the STI Group; and Kimberly Mosley, president of the American Toy Retailers’ Association.
Friday’s topic is #consumer. Two Marker researchers, Axel Dammler and Florian Klause, will look at the generational difference between parents and grandparents making toy purchases. Karen Klessinger of Dan Pearlman will explain how retailers can benefit from their customers in the digital age.
Saturday’s topic is #change. Keynote speaker Dr. Peter Kreuz will give his “Dynamite for Mavericks” talk, Lena Pieper will discuss the “Design Thinking” method, and Florian Dohmann will discuss how artificial intelligence can enhance creativity.
Sunday’s topic is #marketing, which will include influencer marketing and social media. Speakers include Belgian Joeri Van den Bergh of InSites Consulting, Heide Herbst of blogfoster Berlin, and Dr. Nikolaus Förster of Impulse magazine.
Additional information on the program and speakers is available at www.spielwarenmesse.de/en/toybusinessforum. All presentations are simultaneously interpreted into English or German.
