Episode 65: Let's Play a Game! With Mary Couzin

"It is in games that many men discover their paradise." - Robert Wilson Lynd Here it is...our last episode of the season.  I take the summer off so I can play a bit more, which is AWESOME because we're hitting a bit of that in this episode. In this episode, I had the great pleasure to talk with Mary Couzin.  Mary is a super cool person and has it going on.  She invented (yes, invented) the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and is a game developer herself.  We talk about her journey in the world of toys, games, and play as well as why it's such a passion for her. I know you'll dig this episode as much as I did!  CHEERS! More on the Toy and Game Fair... Chicago Toy & Game Group We promote play and innovation through events listed below (over 2 Billion media impressions in Nov); monthly e-newsletters reaching over 250,000 people - industry, consumers, educators, inventor, bloggers, Scouts, traditional and social media. www.chitag.com. Join our Toy, Game & Play Innovators Network here on LinkedIn! ChiTAG Events: Chicago Toy & Game Fair Largest public toy/game fair in North America. Meet your consumers! The biggest and most cost effective focus group anywhere. The traditional/social media and bloggers love this event - they attend to report what's hot for the holidays. Early open to media/trade. Emphasis on interactive/hands-on and meeting inventors at Navy Pier the weekend before Black Friday. www.chitag.com Inventor & Innovation Conferences with top industry executives. Learn, network, pitch your ideas to dozens of companies. www.chitag.com/conferences Toy & Game Innovation Awards Dinner, the TAGIEs, celebrating inventors www.chitag.com/tagies PlayCHIC pairs haute couture fashion designers with toy and game brands to create media worthy playful runway looks. www.chitag.com/playchic Educator Conference for teachers to incorporate play in the classroom. www.g4ed.com Star Wars Character Breakfast Young Inventor Challenge www.chitag.com/yic ChiTAG year round activities include: Hosting Pub Events/Get-Togethers around the world. Play in Education, PIE, website, newsletter and conference www.playineducation.com Specialties: Connecting people, helping toy and game inventors, promoting inventors and play to the public anywhere and everywhere we can, bringing play and games into the classroom and libraries, quality fundraising (www.gamesforfundraising.com)