Press release -
Speakers announced for Toy Fair 2018 Design Student Seminar
Annual event to move to Olympia, London’s Apex Room
The British Toy and Hobby Association has today announced the speakers for the Design Student Seminar at Toy Fair 2018. Now in its eighth year, the larger than ever Seminar will take place on Thursday 25th January and will be held in the Apex Room at Olympia, London.
The Student Design Seminar is an annual event for students interested in a career in the toy industry, organised by the BTHA as part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting UK talent. Presentations focus on the process of desigining a toy, the importance of intellectual property, as well as tips and tricks for breaking into the industry from some of the UK’s leading industry experts.
This year, speakers include the creator of Jenga, Leslie Scott, Co-founders of Big Ideas Product Development, Ruth Elliot and Simon Skelton, and Co-founder of Mojo Nation, Billy Langsworthy. Also presenting will be David Fry, UK & European Patenet Attorney at Agile IP and Co-founder of Worlds Apart, John Stewart.
Students from a range of universities will attend the seminar this year, including the University of Sussex, University of Brighton, University of Portsmouth, Kingston University plus more.
“We are really looking forward to attending the Student Seminar at Toy Fair this year,” said Diane Simpson-Little, Senior Teaching Fellow & Head of BSc Product Design at the University of Sussex. “Not only does it give students the chance to hear educational and relevant presentations from leading toy industry experts, but also to see first-hand what is up and coming in toy products for the year ahead. The seminar provides a valuable platform for networking and to learn about job and intern opportunities. For the University of Sussex, it is also the perfect launch for our toy and game design module that starts in February.”
“The UK toy industry is renowned for creative and innovative toy design, and attracting new talent is vital to ensure we stay top of the class,” said Rebecca Deeming, Public Relations Manager for The British Toy and Hobby Association. “By organising events like the Design Student Seminar, the BTHA hopes to demonstrate the many exciting and diverse jobs our industry offers and, hopefully, inspire the toy designers of the future. We’re really pleased that we’ve been upgraded to the Apex Room this year, as even more students will have the opportunity to attend and find out where their talent can take them.”
To register for a free pass to Toy Fair visit www.toyfair.co.uk.
Follow the latest Toy Fair news on Twitter at @toyfairuk. For operations and sponsorship enquiries, please contact Majen@btha.co.uk
Notes to editors:
For more information please contact
Ravi Vijh or Becky Mullen Bastion, Unit 4.07, The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
T: +44 (0)20 3841 7660
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About Toy Fair
Toy Fair is the UK’s largest dedicated toy, game and hobby trade exhibition taking place at Olympia London. The event takes place over three days at the end of January each year and plays host to hundreds of exhibitors, from startups to some of the biggest toy companies, launching thousands of new toy lines.
Toy Fair 2018 takes place from Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 January. Press day is Tuesday 23 January. To register for a press pass, visit www.toyfair.co.uk.
Please note the opening times are 09:00-18:00 Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24, and 09:00-17:30 Thursday 25 January.
About the BTHA
The British Toy & Hobby Association was established in 1944 to represent the interests of British toy manufacturers and to raise standards of practice in the industry. Today it has around 125 members ranging from international toy giants to small family-run businesses that together account for more than 80% of the UK toy market. Membership of the British Toy & Hobby Association shows the member’s commitment to adhere to the BTHA Code of Practice under the umbrella of the Lion Mark which includes assurances covering ethical and safe manufacture of toys, toy safety, a ban on counterfeit goods, an assurance to market responsibly, a commitment to improving sustainability and a desire to promote the value of all play through support of the Make Time 2 Play campaign and the design of fun toys. Our members are manufacturers committed to making good quality toys in a responsible way. The BTHA also administers the Toy Trust - the industry’s charity.
