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Toy Fair 2010 Drives This Hoarder Crazy for New Toy Trends

For a guy with an apartment cluttered with classic metal toys, quirky objects and offbeat street finds, the annual Toy Fair held at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (this year from February 14 to 17) is both a David Horvath, co-inventor of The Ugly Dollscelebration and a torture. With over 1,200 exhibitors filling 345,000 square feet of exhibit space, and 100,000 products displayed (7,000 of which for the first time), the 30,000 attendees expected will find it nearly impossible to check out, let alone acquire, a decent portion of the goodies available. At least I know I won't — though I will try.

Within these four days, toy manufacturers, buyers, retailers and sundry other related professionals, under the Toy Industry Association (TIA) auspices, will attempt to do an entire year’s worth of business under one roof. Meanwhile, a stalwart toy aficionado can not only find the classics — such as Monogram Models or metal cars and classic Gund Teddy Bears — but also the quirky. And for one who is also a professional trend seeker, there are also the latest innovations in technology; geek cutting-edge; and geopolitical subject matter that inspires deep-minded board games.

Over the years, I've seen robotic dolls introduced, Ebola-infected teddy bears unveiled and economic collapse simulated and replayed in virtual reality at the annual Toy Fair gaming section.

So, that's why I make it my mission every year to spend at least a two full days at Toy Fair. I discovered the Ugly Dolls there, met co-creator David Horvath and got him to sign the doll he gave me. I became a fan of the new crop of alterna-toys — things like Emily Strange or the StrangeCo aliens or the ScareBears and the Bloody Goths from Bleeding Edge Toys. In the last 10 years, these collectibles have emerged as part of the overall expanding adult collectible market. But that's hardly all that is new in toy trends.

Over at the Chelsea Piers Saturday night, Feb. 13, John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney/Pixar Animation Studios, and the late Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart, will be inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame. Established in 1984, the Hall of Fame has an impressive roster of 55 individuals who have been previously honored for their contributions to the growth and success of the toy industry. They are nominated by the industry at large and selected based on votes received from the Toy Industry Association's membership. 

And during the four days that the 107th Fair is held at the Javits, a series of special events will take place, such as the "cast of characters" parade and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Crystal Palace at 10 am on Sunday – a whimsical start to the high-powered business opportunities at this show. There will be a session called "Growing Green: A Toy Industry Update on Environmental Sustainability and Bottom Line Growth" taking place at 3 p.m. on Monday. And on the closing day, the Toy Bank will collect donations to be given to critically ill, abused and abandoned children through various partner organizations such as the My Stuff Bags Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs and Ronald MacDonald House.

For more info go to: http://www.toyassociation.org

Toy Fair 2010
February 14 - 17, 2010
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001

Come Together with Beatles Fans at BEATexpo 2009

BEATexpo 2009, a convention for Beatles  fans, will "come together" on Saturday, November 28th and Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Downtown Stamford, 700 E. Main Street in Stamford, CT.

The event features special guests & concerts by tribute bands "The Beatles Forever Band," "Octopus's Garden," "The A-Z Beatles Songbook Show,"  "Charlie Guitar" and "Rotary." Collectors will be able to shop at a rock & roll flea market/memorabilia marketplace. Fans will get to watch rare  videos. There will special exhibits and displays, a "penny" auction and many  other features, events and attractions.

Special guests of honor will be  on hand to meet fans, take photos and sign autographs, and all autographs are  free. Here is the guest-list for BEATexpo:

  • Peter Tork (The  Monkees)
  • Dennis Ferrante (John Lennon's  recording engineer)
  • Sid Bernstein (producer, Carnegie  Hall & Beatles at Shea Stadium)
  • Clay Cole (NY TV DJ Personality had The Beatles & The Rolling Stones on the very same  show)
  • Greg Hawkes (The Cars, "The  Beatles Uke," recorded w/ Paul McCartney)
  • Butch Patrick
  • (Eddie Munster from  "The Munsters," also huge Beatles fan &
  • collector)
  • Jude Southerland Kessler
  • (author, "You Shoulda Been There")
  • Shannon
  • (Beatles artist,  painted the rooms of Liverpool's "Hard Day's
  • Night Hotel")
  • Dwight Rounds
  • (author, "The Year  The Music Died," "Animals to Zombies")
  • Vince Martell
  • (Vanilla Fudge)
  • Stewkey
  • (The Nazz)
  • Ian Lloyd
  • (The Stories)
  • John Ford
  • (The Strawbs)
  • Tommy Frenzy
  • (Tuff Darts)
  • Pat Horgan
  • (Thunder Road, Garage Band  Beatles)
  • The Fifth Estate
  • (60's band "Ding Dong The Witch is  Dead")
  • Benjy Greenberg
  • (Beatles stand-up  comedian, the Jimmy Kimmel show)
  • Helen Darras
  • (author, "Butch Patrick The Authorized  Biography")
  • Russ Lease
  • (the Beatles  suits)

More guests to be  announced and there is no fee charged for autographs!

The Special Pre-Show Concert Event on Saturday,  November 28, 2009 at 8pm will features concerts sets,  special guests  appearances and all main-stage attractions.

It is  this Special Pre-Show Concert Event where Peter Tork, Greg Hawkes and some  of the other special guests/bands will be performing live on stage in the  ballroom.

"Ticket to Ride" All-Day Passes for Sunday (Noon-8pm)  are only $15.00 in advance or $20.00 at the door (if the event isn't sold  out in advance) general admission. There is also a special EARLY-BIRD V.I.P.  admission which gets fans and collectors in at 11am for first crack at the vendors/dealers/exhibitors ($30.00), and they may stay on all day.

 Advance concert tickets are only $15.00 advance or $20 at the door (if not sold out in advance).

Advance tickets available at: https://beatexpo.ticketleap.com/BEATexpo

Special "BEATexpo 2009" Convention Room Rates at the Holiday Inn  Downtown Stamford only $79.00. Call for room reservations: (203) 358-8400 or toll-free (800) 465-4329. Website: http://www.histamford.com.

Parking for  this event will be Free.

For any further information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (203)
795-4737.

LA Travel & Adventure Show

The largest travel show in the United States, the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show is being held February 13-14, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event showcases hundreds of destinations, and exciting activities abound, including a huge scuba pool, trip giveaways, cultural performances on the Global Beat Stage, World Culinary Stage and much more.  The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show is THE place to plan that ultimate vacation.

The Adventures in Travel Expo, the longest-running series of consumer travel events in the U.S., has merged with the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show to become The Travel & Adventure Show. The change reflects a new focus on what the travel industry calls "experiential travel," which offers authentic social and cultural itinerary options.

Speakers:

Rick Steves shares Budget European Travel Skills
Pauline & Arthur Frommer discuss Traveling Authentically & Affordably in 2010
Huell Howser, LA’s own PBS Producer & Host of California’s Gold shares his expertise

Travel Talks
Sailing Around the World at Age 17, with Zac Sunderland and Chris Reynolds
The Best Tips for Getting Travel Deals Online. with Jen Leo (moderator); George Hobica, Johnny Jet & Sam Shank

Other presentations are:

Peter Piper Picked a Pocket: How to Avoid Pesky Pickpockets Around the World, with Kevin Coffey, a veteran police officer

Make Better Travel Photos & Videos with Chris Reynolds

Using Twitter to Travel and The Best iphone Apps for Travelers with Jen Leo

South Africa and the 2010 World Cup, presented by Dean Jacobberger, South African Tourism and Terry von Guilleaume, Destination Southern Africa

Discover Taiwan– Best-Kept Secret in Asia, presented by Mr. Trust Lin, Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Los Angeles

World Expo 2010 & Travel in China, presented by Dawei Wu, China National Tourist Office

Some of the exciting workshops are:

Experience New Zealand… and experience life as it should beSarah Westerman, presented by Tourism New Zealand

Travels in Turkey and the Silk Road Countries of AsiaBora Özkök, presented by Cultural Folk Tours

Welcome to Armenia: Ancient Nation, New RepublicMatthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian, presented by Armenian American Chamber of Commerce

Discover the Islands of TahitiLeila Laille, presented by Tahiti Tourisme

Free activities for attendees include;

Scuba Dive Pool Lessons and Demos – A dip in the Scuba Pool — a 4-foot-deep 18,000-gallon tank — is free to all attendees over the age of 10. Instruction from a certified diving instructor and all necessary equipment will be provided, including towels, wetsuits, masks and air tanks, mirrors and hair dryers. Attendees need only bring bathing suits and a sense of adventure.

Rock Wall – Tenaya Lodge at the Yosemite booth invites all to test their endurance on the rock wall. The wall is 25 feet high and offers different routes and levels of difficulty to accommodate a range of skill levels. Experienced professionals will be on hand to ensure everyone’s safety for this experience.

Ocean Experience: Surf School – Attendees can try out this Indo/Surfboard Simulator that’s great for beginners and pros alike. Players can compete to see who can ride the longest, the wildest or at the highest speed.

Zip Line and Adventure Ropes Course – Attendees can strap themselves into a sturdy harness and fly along with the greatest of ease, a thrilling experience for young and old alike.

Golf Simulator – Attendees can hit a golf ball at a wall-sized screen displaying a computer-generated 18-hole course that looks amazingly authentic. A golf professional offers personalized tips on how to improve one’s score.

Steer Roping – Join some honest-to-goodness cowboys and learn the ropes, literally, as they teach the basics of steer roping, from making a lasso to tossing it ’round the horned head of the bovine quarry.

The Adventures in Travel Expo promotes itself as a one-stop shopping marketplace for consumers and the travel trade to meet, while the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show has been the largest travel show, with more than 500 exhibitors.

Together, under the new name, they aim to offer a show for "real travelers" (as opposed to simply vacationers) who have an expanded interest in authentic travel experiences. Exhibitor Development is producing the new hybrid.

For more information, visit http://events.latimes.com/travelshow.

LA Times Travel & Adventure Show
February 13-14, 2010


LA Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Digital Asset Conference and Exhibition

For two days a year, entertainment heads flock to Universal City, California, for more than a tour of a theme park. The big attraction? A powwow on digital asset management.
 
It's sexier than it sounds, given that global spending on digital asset management is expected to exceed one billion dollars in four years.
 
The Createasphere/Explore Digital Asset Management Conference and Exhibition, which runs February 17 and 18 at the Universal Hilton, convenes entertainment technology and content creators to frame standards and consider challenges of asset management in global entertainment and media.

Through a jammed program of keynotes, roundtables and networking events, DAM nudges the industry toward a rethinking of and protocol for "the constantly growing mountain of content we are creating and managing," to quote Createasphere president Kristin Petrovich.

DAM's public encompasses content holders, creators and technologists from gamer rubes to gavel-wielding decision makers.

Speakers hark from the rungs of studio experts, social media leaders and tech innovators, including Alex Grossman, President and CEO of Active Storage; Roger Howard, Digital Archivist at Blizzard Entertainment; and Ben Huh, a former journalist turned dotcom entrepreneur at Cheezburger Network.
 
The conference kicks off with "Studio Panel: Vision 2010 and 2020," keynoted by Fox Filmed Entertainment's Scott Phelan, Universal's Stan Scoggins, Warner Bros' Tim Padilla, and other industry mavens. Topping the agenda are such issues as cloud computing, disaster recovery and social media.
 
Breakout sessions will tackle managing video files, metadata, social media and digital photography, among other topics of concern to the DAM community.
 
The conference unfolds alongside its big sister event, Createasphere’s Entertainment Technology Expo. Created in 2001, HD EXPO offers a show-and-tell space where exhibitors and experts can mingle over the next generation of products and ideas
 
The semi-annual conference swaps coasts on September 22 and 23, 2010 when it unfolds at the New Yorker Hotel and Manhattan Center Stages in New York City.
 
 
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608
818-506-2500
 
HD Expo, LLC
3727 West Magnolia Blvd.

Suite #729
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 842-6611
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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