Submissions for the prestigious accolade are open until the end of May
Nominations are now open for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement honour at the 2026 Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, hosted annually by the US Toy Association’s People of Play (POP).
Taking place on 6 November, this year’s event marks the TAGIEs’ 19th year celebrating the outstanding innovators, designers, retailers, suppliers, PR professionals, and marketers who drive creativity and success across the global toy and game industry.
Anyone in the industry may submit a nomination by 31 May, and there is no fee to put a candidate forward for consideration.
“The heart of this industry has always been its people — the creators who dare to imagine something new and bring it to life,” said Mary Couzin, Senior Vice President and founder of People of Play at The Toy Association. “The TAGIE Awards celebrate that spirit of innovation and connection, and the Lifetime Achievement honour recognises those whose contributions have paved the way for generations of inventors and innovators.”
Criteria for the Lifetime Achievement Award includes:
- Long experience and record of accomplishment in the play industry.
- Innovative product or marketing introductions.
- Charitable efforts benefiting children and/or children’s causes.
- An unimpeachable record of integrity and respect in the industry.
The TAGIEs ceremony is one of several events that takes place during People of Play’s annual POP Week between 5 and 8 November 5 to 8, including the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, Young Inventor Challenge, and Chicago Toy & Game Fair.
