Mary Couzin • 2026 AGPI Award Winner!

At our Minneapolis convention, the AGPI presented its 2026 Outstanding Achievement Award to Mary Couzin (right). Mary is Senior VP at Toy Association and Founder/Lead of People of Play.

After inventing, self-producing and licensing her own toys and games, Mary turned her passion for invention to help other inventors through DiscoverToysandGames.com, the world's largest co-op of toy and game inventors.

In 2003, Mary launched the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) with a plan to create the largest American celebration of play.

In 2006 she introduced the Toy & Game Inventor Conference to help new inventors connect with industry experts, and in 2008 the Toy & Game Innovator of the Year Awards (TAGIEs) to honor and celebrate toy and game innovators. Tracks for professional inventors, design students, social media and play in education have been added to the conferences through the years.

Thinking to celebrate play in an edgier way, she launched PlayCHIC, a toy and game inspired fashion event in 2011.

2006 saw the debut of the Young Inventor Challenge which has over 250 kids competing from around North America and overseas.