May 2003 - If you're a toy or game manufacturer looking to create consumer excitement in your products, or a retailer looking for the next hot commodity... read on.

Chicago will host the first show in the Western Hemisphere to provide consumers with the opportunity to preview, play and purchase the widest selection of toys and games available. Presenting CHITAG - Chicago International Toy and Game Fair to be held on Chicago's beautiful Navy Pier. "I'm reminded of the song 'I'd like to teach the world to sing.' In this case, we'll be teaching the world how to play. The ultimate goal," explains Mary Couzin, "is to get people spending more time playing games with family and friends. We want everyone to understand the value of game night and increase awareness to the public of new products." Mary is the CHITAG event coordinator and is also owner and founder of www.discovergames.com and Game Geste.

Events such as CHITAG are common and a huge success in Europe, such as the Essen Game Fair in Germany. "We should see even a higher attendance than Essen," predicts Mary. Navy Pier is the #1 tourist stop in the Midwest. The Navy Pier's Labor Day attendance is expected to exceed 300,000 people. The exhibit halls overlook Lake Michigan and the beautiful city skyline, but the exhibits are not confined to indoors. Outdoor life-size games will be played and the possibilities are endless. We may break the Guinness Book of world record playing Twister on the docks! Endless Games' Liars Dice Tournaments in the city's lounges. Perhaps the largest game of "Operation". There are many docks, parks and pavilions to stage your event. All ideas for special events for your products will be considered. For the big company to the small independents there will be additional areas other than their exhibitor booths to have game demonstrations going all over the fair to encourage people to sit down and play.

Radio Disney Chicago will be on-site and on-air promoting CHITAG and with their local event team, the Party Patrol, will be conducting live interactive appearances all over Chicagoland.

A fireworks display on the rooftops of the Pier after an International themed dinner followed by games on the tables to play under the stars. There will be special events meeting celebrities and toy and game inventors signing and too much to mention. The Chicago International Toy and Game Fair will truly be a historical event for the toy and game industry.

If you're a retailer or buyer and would like to see first hand which new toy or game is the next "hot item", or a manufacturer who has the "hot item" you won't want to miss this event. Mix a little business with pleasure and plan your next vacation in beautiful Chicago.

CHITAG is Labor Day Weekend, August 30th - Sept 1st. Low exhibitor rates and inventor tables available. For more information see the website at www.chitag.com or contact Mary by email at [email protected]