Imagining Futures in Play: Inside the THINK BIG Toy Career Symposium Honoring Richard Gottlieb

Hosted at the University of Richmond, the THINK BIG: Career Opportunities in the World of Toys Symposium set out to expand perceptions of what the toy industry truly is—and what it can be. The result was an engaging, eye-opening event that highlighted the depth, diversity, and creativity behind one of the world’s most dynamic industries.

While toys may begin with play, the industry itself is powered by professionals across sales, marketing, design, entrepreneurship, logistics, finance, law, and media. This symposium was intentionally designed to spotlight those varied career paths and demonstrate how many different skill sets come together to bring play to life. Students, professionals, and curious minds alike had the opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders whose work shapes the business of toys every day.

Industry Voices, Real-World Insight

The speaker lineup represented a wide range of disciplines and decades of experience.

Steve Abdo is a 45-year toy industry veteran who began his career at Western Publishing and later held VP of Sales roles at Hedstrom Corporation and Infant Advantage. He founded A/C/A Associates in 1999, an independent manufacturers’ rep and consulting agency known for strong industry partnerships.

Chris Byrne, known as The Toy Guy, is President of Byrne Communications, Inc. and Editor of Global Toy News. A leading media expert on toys and play, he regularly appears on national television and hosts The Playground Podcast, where he explores the power and purpose of play.

Joseph Farco is a licensed intellectual property attorney at Bochner Law, specializing in patents, copyrights, and mergers and acquisitions. He is also a patent-pending toy company owner, offering both legal and entrepreneurial perspectives on the industry.

Peter Saulitis is a brand design and marketing professional at Cloudflare and the founder of multiple toy and game ecommerce brands. A University of Richmond alumnus, he launched Lawn Die—one of Kickstarter’s top-earning backyard games—and the fast-growing Beer Golf brand.

Laura Bird is an instructor in the Toy Design department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she teaches soft toy and doll design. With over 20 years in the industry, she has designed for Madame Alexander and Mattel Fisher-Price and produced toy content for major media outlets.

Together, the speakers shared honest insights into their career journeys, discussed how ideas move from concept to market, explored the growing role of AI and innovation, and emphasized the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and passion. Conversations also touched on work-life balance, transferable skills across industries, and what continues to make working in toys both fun and meaningful.

Honoring a Legacy: The Richard Gottlieb Toy Entrepreneurship Grant

The symposium also honored the enduring legacy of Richard Gottlieb, whose lifelong passion for toys, storytelling, and education left an indelible mark on the industry. In his memory, the Richard Gottlieb Toy Entrepreneurship Grant was established at his alma mater, the University of Richmond.

The grant supports students through co-curricular experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom—introducing them to the toy industry, connecting them with internships and career opportunities, and fostering entrepreneurial thinking.

A Call to Support the Future of Play

By supporting the Richard Gottlieb Toy Entrepreneurship Grant, you help ensure that University of Richmond students continue to discover the exciting, wide-ranging careers available in the toy industry—and carry forward Richard’s belief in curiosity, connection, and joy through play.

Donations are now being accepted, and every contribution helps build a stronger pipeline of future toy industry leaders. Join us in honoring Richard’s legacy and investing in the next generation of innovators, creators, and storytellers.

Questions Discussed

The symposium explored how academic backgrounds and early interests can lead to careers across the toy industry, from design and media to law, business, and entrepreneurship. Discussion also touched on mentorship and the lasting impact of industry leaders who shape careers through curiosity, connection, and generosity.

Attendees examined how the toy industry has evolved—and where it’s headed—including shifts in media, retail, global manufacturing, intellectual property, and technology. Questions also addressed the realities of bringing a product from concept to market, the challenges of innovation, the role of AI, work-life balance, and how transferable skills open doors to a wide range of opportunities in the world of play.

Stay tuned for Part Two, featuring our continued conversation with Joseph Farco and additional insights from the symposium.

Donate to the Richard Gottlieb Toy Entrepreneurship Grant Today
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