Calling all Women
Creators + Inventors + Entrepreneurs
WiT Empowerment Day is for YOU!
Have a great idea for a toy, game or play product? Even if it's just on a sticky note? We'll help you take your product, concept or idea to the next level! Register today for WiT Empowerment Day on Monday, September 19 at Dallas Market Center (the day before The Toy Association’s 2023 Preview & 2022 Holiday Market opens).
Who should attend? Women entrepreneurs, creators, designers, inventors, or anyone who has a great idea for a toy, game or play product. This event is free and for WiT members only. Not a member yet?
We've got it all and we've got you covered! Private 1:1 pitch sessions, licensing opportunities, priceless feedback, valuable education, inspirational success stories, and nonstop networking. We'll also prepare you ahead of time for your pitch with our exclusive Pitch Prep Series, including on-demand webinars, videos, workbooks, and three virtual live Q&A sessions with The Toy Coach, Azhelle Wade.
What is the cost? Empowerment Day is free for all WiT members. However, all participants are required to register for the Preview & Holiday Market and purchase a badge. Once you register for Empowerment Day, you'll be sent information on how to purchase your badge.
Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided, generously sponsored by Spin Master!
Held in partnership with The Toy Association's Preview and Holiday Market, Empowerment Day has given hundreds of women the education, exposure, and solid business leads needed to take their product or idea to the next level. Let us help you!
EMPOWERMENT DAY SPONSORS
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ABOUT THE EVENT
PITCH PREP
SERIES
Learn product development and pitching strategies and techniques that will get your product or idea the attention it deserves! Leading up to Empowerment Day, you'll get exclusive access to our Pitch Prep Series, presented in partnership with three-time patented Azhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach. This comprehensive program includes on-demand educational webinars and videos, and three 60-minute virtual live Q&A sessions, where The Toy Coach will prepare you for your face-to-face meetings with toy companies and Walmart buyers.
PRODUCT
PITCHES
You’ll have the opportunity to meet privately with Walmart buyers AND inventor relation executives from top toy companies. Companies include Hasbro, Spin Master, Jazwares, PlayMonster, TOMY, Crayola, Basic Fun!, Educational Insights, Melissa & Doug, Project Genius, and more!
MENTOR ROUNDTABLES
Join Mentor Roundtables with top industry experts on everything you need to know to launch your product. Topics include Children's Publishing & Related Products, Digital Content & Advertising, Ecommerce Readiness, IP, Licensing, Deals & Negotiations, PR, Sales & Distribution, Product & Packaging Design, Product Testing & Safety, and more.
COCKTAILS & CONNECTIONS
Wind down after Empowerment Day as we cap things off with our must-attend Cocktails & Connections afterparty, sponsored by Jazwares! Join us for an evening of fun, food, drinks and great networking at Dallas Market Center, 1st Floor Atrium, from 5:30–7:30pm.
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
WiT EMPOWERMENT DAY
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
We believe that every woman should have the opportunity to pursue their goals, connections to our industry, networking with peers, and a successful career path. Through a generous donation by Hasbro, we are pleased to offer ten $1,000 scholarships to women inventors and entrepreneurs who might not otherwise be able to attend WiT Empowerment Day, to help cover their travel costs to attend.
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Generously sponsored by
The application period has ended.
WHAT PAST ATTENDEES SAY...
"Thank you for organizing the event. My trip was pretty surreal. Not only did I have the opportunity to present and learn at the WIT Empowerment Day (possible opportunities there), but I also met some amazing connections at Fall Toy Preview. I probably should have stayed another day - first lesson learned! The industry was so kind and I was introduced to quite a few people that can help me bring my product to market. Feeling pretty excited."
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Joan Colvin
"Empowerment Day was a wonderful & insightful experience. I have already been contacted by one of the companies I pitched! Thank you for all the support"
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Chantel Calloway
"First, I wanted to let you know how FANTASTIC Empowerment Day was!! I can’t imagine anywhere else that would offer the pitching opportunities, information sharing, ane more. I can’t wait to move forward with our project AND partake next year"
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Jackie Khoenle
"It is not easy to take a few days away from the office to go to an industry event, even if the event is designed to help improve and grow ones business. The WIT Empowerment day was very valuable not only because I took away so many new bits of information, it was very inspiring and provided a needed energy boost going into the 4th quarter."
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Christy Kaskey CEO Kaskey Kids, Inc.
"Empowerment Day was so valuable! I got interest from two toy companies and now I'm working hard and fast to provide them the additional information they requested. I'm learning a lot in this process so that even if nothing comes of it, I could attend next year, more professionally prepared.I really benefited from the mentoring sessions too and found it wonderful to get helpful advice from women more experienced."
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Maxine Schur
"It was totally worth coming all the way (from India) to attend the event. I got an opportunity to meet and learn from many experts in the toy industry."
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Rohini Natti
"Wow! The WIT Team really nailed it with this event. As a toy inventor, this was such a fantastic opportunity for me to network with peers and customers, make industry connections, and get feedback on our products. I personally appreciated the WIT team's cohesiveness and professionalism, and their dedication to supporting female founders. Thanks WIT!"
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Jessica Cohen
"Empowerment Day was my first WIT experience, and I found it to be a very comfortable space to ask questions and get to know other talented women and men in the industry. I'm incredibly happy with my decisions to join WIT."
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Jenna Harlander Marketing Director Blip Toys
"I appreciate the education, experience, and exposure I received at WIT Empowerment Day as I began my journey 2 years ago. I was able to share my Lumi-Niter products with major players in the field such as WalMart, Hasbro, Spin Master, and Jazwares, to name a few, and am excited that Lumi-Niter is now on WalMart.com. I have attended two Empowerment Day events, and both had a huge impact on the direction of my company and brand."
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Angel Trichak, Xtraordin Air Toys
"Empowerment Day was a phenomenal event! It is amazing what WIT has done in one day that can help inspire, motivate, and change the course for so many (both female and male)."
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Jennifer Kosmo
"I have delayed launching our craft kits for years using my lack of “know how” as an excuse. In one day, every question was answered. I no longer have an excuse and I was completely energized by the conversations. I will be in a very different place next year when I return."
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Laura Kelly, Owner, The Handwork Studio
"Being green to the toy industry and event like empowerment day gives me great encouragement and insight. Thank you WIT for this fantastic opportunity"
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Maggie Held, Scribfolio