The 14TH Annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair Teams up with the National Lekotek Center for Super Powe
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Scott Goldberg
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THE 14TH ANNUAL CHICAGO TOY & GAME FAIR TEAMS UP WITH THE NATIONAL LEKOTEK CENTER
FOR SUPER POWER SENSORY HOUR
Promoting the Value of “AblePlay,” ChiTAG 2016 Opens Doors One Hour Early Providing Special Access to all Families of Children with Special Needs
CHICAGO (August 31, 2016) ― The Chicago Toy and Game Fair (ChiTAG) proudly announces a partnership with The National Lekotek Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting play for children of all abilities. This year, ChiTAG will open its doors one hour early for these children and their families, providing them with free admission and an exclusive experience before the fair opens up to the general public.
Now celebrating its 14th year, ChiTAG takes place November 19 and 20, 2016 (weekend before Thanksgiving) at Navy Pier in Chicago. ChiTAG is the largest toy and game fair in the U.S. that is open to the public. The annual fall event brings together consumers, families, inventors, manufacturers, retailers, educators, hobbyists, bloggers and the media – at the beginning of the holiday season – to play, celebrate, discover, support and promote the creation of toys and games.
“Our partnership with Lekotek reinforces the fundamental value of toys for kids of all ages and abilities,” said Mary Couzin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Toy & Game Group. “ChiTAG has so many incredible partnerships this year, and with products that offer so much play value for kids. We are teaming up with Lekotek for the second year, to do something extra special for kids with special needs and their families everywhere.”
The Lekotek Super Power Sensory Hour will allow families who have children with special needs to attend the ChiTAG fair an hour earlier than the general public. The families will be admitted to the fair for free, and will have the unique opportunity to touch, feel and experience all that ChiTAG has to offer before anyone else this year.
“As experts of inclusive and accessible play, Lekotek's role is to break down any potential barriers a family may have through play,” said Kathryn Lavin, Executive Director of Lekotek. “We are thrilled to be working with Mary and her team for a second year as we work together to make ChiTAG an exciting and enthusiastic experience for all. Please be sure to visit the Lekotek booth to see how kids and families of all abilities use toys and play to create those building blocks to inclusion.”
For more information about ChiTAG 2016, please log on to ChiTAG.com. Registration for Super Power Sensory Hour is here.
About the Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
The Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc. oversees toy industry initiatives designed to encourage and promote the power of play and invention in social, educational, and professional environments. Chicago Toy & Game Group initiatives include the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG), the playCHIC Fashion Show, the Toy & Game Inventor of the Year (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the International Toy & Game Innovation Conference (T&G Con), the International Summit for Professional Inventors (I-SPI), Games for Educators, Discover Games and the Chicago Toy & Game Foundation. For more information, visit www.ChiTAG.com.
About Lekotek
The National Lekotek Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting play for children of all abilities. As a leading expert in inclusive and accessible play, Lekotek believes play is the way all kids learn, develop and acquire skills. Its mission is to make the world of play accessible to all children, especially those who have special needs. Through extensive experience working with kids and families, child development and disability expertise and knowledge of toys and play products, the National Lekotek Center developed AblePlay, which provides independent toy evaluations and professional consulting on the developmental potential of toys and play. For more information, visit www.lekotek.org.
