The evolution of ToyFest continues.
After dropping “West” from its name to settle into its new place as a National trade show, ToyFest is eyeing 2023 as another year of growth. During the ToyFest Gala set to take place at Resorts World’s Zouk nightclub on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023, at 7:00 pm, a new class will enter the Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) Hall of Fame as the organization celebrates the members that have contributed to its growth and the good of the industry.
The Hall of Fame inductees for 2023 include:
- Lorraine Bozeman — A 35-year toy industry veteran on the rep group side of the business, Bozeman spent 10 years on the ToyFest board and helped grow the event into what it is today.
- Carol Knight — In 1978, Knight and Nancy Quarton-Harakay opened The Toy Store, a 700-square-foot retail destination in Sun Valley, Idaho in November 1978. The store moved to a bigger location 15 years later and was recently sold to a mother/daughter team to continue its legacy.
- Mark Parsons — Currently the vice president of sales at Winning Moves, Parsons’ long career includes work as a buyer for the Child World chain in the 1980s in addition to stints at Matchbox, Tonka, and Little Kids Inc.
2023 Retailer of the Year:
- Piccolo Mondo Toys — In 2006, Michelle Smith opened her first Piccolo Mondo Toys store in Portland, Oregon. Piccolo Mondo Toys means “small world” in Italian. Smith’s initial 1,300-square-foot store has since expanded to have three locations and a dedicated e-commerce site.
For full details on ToyFest and its offerings, check out toyfestus.com.
