Miggle Super Bowl game

I’m heading to the American International Toy Fair in New York City this morning. Hopefully I’ll have some interesting things to report back on later this week. This isn’t my first trip to Toy Fair, as I was lucky enough to cover the event for Toy Trader back in 1999.

The Hasbro building at the 1999 Toy Fair

It was an overwhelming experience and one I’ve never forgotten. But not because of Fifth Avenue exploding with colorful activity as I neared the “Toy Center;” not because I found myself standing next to legendary Mattel CEO John Amerman as I waited to catch an elevator; and not because I got to see the entire 1999 toy lines of Hasbro and Mattel, as well as the then trendy Trendmasters and Playmates.

The event of the day that really sticks out wasn’t even on my official itinerary. It was a “walk-in” on a showroom that didn’t have one of that year’s hottest items. But it did have an item I knew all about — electric football.

Between a 4:30 a.m. alarm, a 5:30 a.m. train ride, and the bustle of acquiring my press pass, my head was spinning early on at Toy Fair. With time to kill before my first official appointment I wandered into the Miggle Toys showroom to catch my breath and see if Mike Landsman was around.

I’d met Mike at the 1996 convention, and again at the 1999 event in Philly. And Roddy and I had been talking with him even before he started holding the Miggle gatherings. It was a relationship that was “cordial.” So I figured I’d drop in, say hello, wish him luck, and be on my way.

Mike emerged from a back room with a smile and a loud “what are you doing here?” And for the next 10 minutes we talked about my family, Mike’s company, Miggle’s prospects for the year, the state of electric football, the buzz of the recent EF convention, and the state of the toy business. We even talked very candidly about a recent run-in I’d had with Miggle’s PR guy. (Another story for another time…)

Mike couldn’t have been warmer or more personable. We exchanged good luck wishes and I walked out of the Miggle showroom feeling ready for whatever Toy Fair could throw at me.

It was an unexpected and uplifting exchange that I’m still grateful for. And it will certainly be on my mind this morning. Thanks, Mike.

Earl

Toy Fair 2013