President’s letter – June 7, 2011: Listening to Our
Members … Connecting the Coasts
I’ve been on the west coast for the past week attending
meetings and connecting with several of our TIA members in
California. I cannot tell you how delighted I am to hear
consistent reports of optimism among companies in the industry …
business is good and there are exciting plans for new products, new
campaigns and new collaborations in the works.
California is home to high numbers of toy companies (nearly 20% of
our members) and the center of gravity for the entertainment
industry. It is important to me that TIA’s constituents on
the west coast feel connected to their Association and its
staff. We welcome the additional perspectives that companies
like Disney and Warner Bros are bringing to TIA as these entertainment
icons transition from associate to full regular members. And we
are committed to bringing all the industry’s voices to the table,
meeting your needs and earning your dues dollars. It is critically
important for us as TIA staff to learn about your businesses and to
understand how we might add value to you.
One of my meetings last week was with the Board of the Toy
Association of Southern California (TASC), a group that was formed a
dozen years ago to provide a vehicle for networking and business
development among toy companies in the area. TIA is helping to
reenergize the TASC and will collaborate closely with the group to
promote business opportunities; TASC and its members can also help
reinforce TIA’s messages to the California legislature about the
importance of the toy industry in the state and help prevent the
adoption of unwarranted new legislation affecting our business.
To that end, later today we will kick off our first-ever California
Toy Day where we bring nearly two dozen toy company representatives
together with the State’s most influential decision-makers.
TIA has a full time staff lobbyist in Sacramento who organized this
event and serves as an additional resource for our west coast
members.
We are proud to be growing TIA’s capabilities and scope to meet
your needs. These are exciting times for the Association and the toy
industry.
Warm regards to all,
Carter Keithley
ckeithley@toyassociation.org
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