Toy Industry Association

  • Tags: Toys, Toy Industry Association, TIA, toy organization

    • The Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA) is a private, not-for-profit organization headquartered in New York City, New York. It was founded April 21, 1916 as the Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc. The Toy Industry Association represents more than 535 manufacturers and importers who account for 85% of the toys distributed in North America. In 2010, retail sales of toys in the United States were $21.87 billion.1

    The mission of Toy Industry Association is to lead the growth and health of the toy industry. They have several objectives in reaching this goal:

    • Develop the highest universal standards for the toy industry
    • Ensure safe play for children
    • Protect the rights of factory workers
    • Enhance the image and growth of the toy industry
    • Support free trade and fair representation on regulatory issues2

    The association has two classes of members. Regular members include any business that is actively engaged in manufacture, import, sales, and distribution of toys and related items in the United States and North America. Associate members include licensors, designers, inventors, safety consultants, testing laboratories, communication professionals, and the media.3

    The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is part of the Toy Industry Association. They work to put toys in the hands of deserving children. These toys provide the opportunity to play for children living in poverty, suffering from chronic illness, rescued from crisis situations, or living with the stress of having a parent in the military. Toy Industry Foundation provides grants and in-kind donations.4 Their signature program, The Toy Bank, collects toys from manufacturers, distributors, and retailers and distributes them to children in need around the world. Since the program began in 2003, over $54 million in new toys have been donated to the foundation.5

    • 1. “About TIA.” Toy Industry Association, Inc. < http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About_TIA&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=3&ContentID=2546 > 17 Feb. 2011.
    • 2. “Our Mission” Toy Industry Association, Inc. < http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Mission > 17 Feb. 2011.
    • 3. Ibid.
    • 4. “Welcome.” Toy Industry Foundation. < http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/template.cfm?section=TIF_Home2 > 17 Feb. 2011.
    • 5. “Toy Bank.” Toy Industry Association, Inc. < http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=TIF_THE_TOY_BANK&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=141&ContentID=2048 > 17 Feb. 2011.