Toymaster Awards Dinner sees business stalwarts recognisedToy World Journal

An finish to the downpours noticed visitors collect for the second night time of leisure on the Toymaster Could Present, with the Awards Dinner effectively attended by these eager to mark the achievements of individuals from throughout the business.

Toymaster MD Yogi Parmar opened the night with a speech wherein he thanked everybody who helped convey the present to life for 2024.

Day two of the Toymaster Could Present 2024 ended with the extremely anticipated Awards Dinner, a night of celebration and recognition that pays homage to people from throughout the entire toy sector who’ve, ultimately, gone above and past for the Toymaster shopping for group.

Opening the awards displays, Toymaster managing director Yogi Parmar praised the Toymaster household and took the chance to thank the devoted and hard-working employees of The Majestic lodge, all of whom have performed an important position in making certain the present was as soon as once more an unmissable occasion. Yogi additionally highlighted the superb job the Toymaster staff has accomplished behind the scenes in organising the present and ensuring it ran easily (together with the availability of Toymaster-branded golf umbrellas for navigating by means of the downpours, which KAP Toys’ Nat Southworth known as ‘the most well liked merchandise of the present’).

Yogi added: “It warms my coronary heart to see all of it come collectively. Thank to all our unbiased retailers, suppliers and members for his or her assist in making this present so particular.”

The immensely fashionable Nick Saunders of Brainstorm was honoured with a Pals of Toymaster award. Pals of Toymaster are the ‘unsung heroes’ of the business, who go above and past to assist Toymaster and the unbiased sector. Paul Reader, Toymaster’s industrial director, described Nick as “everybody’s dad, captain, chief”, and somebody who actually does insist that his success is right down to the staff round him.

Paul added: “Nick is a real gentleman, a credit score to his enterprise, a large advocate of independents, and somebody who totally appreciates the advertising alternatives Toymaster presents its suppliers. He’s a supporter of every thing we do, understands the significance of constructing relationships from grassroots degree, particularly with independents, and values the contribution of everybody in his staff. Nick at all times finds one of the best methods to enhance Brainstorm’s service to Toymaster and its members.”

A Particular Recognition Award was offered to Philip Kaye of Kayes of Cardiff. Particular recognition awards are given solely to those that have made an actual distinction through the years, forging robust relationships with Toymaster in addition to its members, and placing folks on the centre of every thing they do. Yogi described Philip as a “actual gentleman who’s made a tangible distinction to lots of people through the years”, along with his unfailing willpower and laborious work making him an incredible supporter of Toymaster and its members.

“Philip will at all times discover the time to assist somebody and is immensely revered not solely by us at Toymaster, however by the whole commerce,” Yogi added. “It takes a sure character to work that onerous for thus lengthy. Thanks for being you and for all of your dedication to Toymaster through the years.”

Accepting the award, Philip mentioned: “It’s an incredible pleasure to obtain this award. Thanks should go to my staff again in Cardiff and all of you to your assist.”

Provider of the Yr, in the meantime, went to Character Choices, a lot to the delight of these gathered for the occasion. Provider of the Yr is awarded solely to suppliers who’ve proven wonderful service to Toymaster through the earlier 12 months, and whereas Paul was fast to thank all suppliers for his or her assist in bringing the present to life, he additionally detailed why Character was the deserving winner of this coveted award: its robust gross sales efficiency, steady efforts to make sure its manufacturers had been well-represented in Toymaster members’ shops, its resilience and resolve.

Character, he mentioned, embodies the very spirit of laborious work (and laborious play) and works tirelessly to satisfy the wants of members due to its potential to see the worth of face-to-face relationships.

Talking on behalf of the staff, Character’s gross sales director mentioned: “We love Toymaster! We genuinely worth the group’s members and the unbiased commerce, who’ve accomplished a lot to assist us through the years. Thanks a lot.”

Rounding out the night’s awards, the British Toy & Pastime Affiliation offered Epoch’s Jon Ward with a prestigious Golden Teddy. Golden Teddy Awards are the BTHA’s award recognising people who possess a level of honesty and integrity and are the business’s genuinely good folks.

BTHA chairman Simon Pilkington, who offered Jon along with his teddy, detailed how he had served the business for over 30 years, working with iconic manufacturers together with Ok’Nex, Hasbro, Aptitude, Tomy, Tendencies UK and, after all, Epoch. Jon was described by nomination as somebody who’s an trustworthy, hardworking and type man who will get nice satisfaction from serving to others.

The unbiased shopping for present concludes at 4pm at this time after a vastly profitable three days at The Majestic Resort in Harrogate. Readers will be capable of see Toy World‘s full overview of the present within the July subject.

John, Rachael, Caroline and Gabriela want to lengthen their due to the entire Toymaster staff for his or her heat welcome, the very good present (and scrumptious meals), in addition to to the quite a few suppliers and retailers – of which there are too many to say – who took day out of their day to talk with them and supply suggestions on the present.