{"id":8650,"date":"2022-06-30T09:58:39","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T13:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/learningexpress.com\/franchise\/?p=8650"},"modified":"2022-06-30T09:58:39","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T13:58:39","slug":"learning-express-toys-appoints-new-ceo-at-annual-convention-commemorating-35-years-of-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/learning-express-toys-appoints-new-ceo-at-annual-convention-commemorating-35-years-of-play\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning Express Toys Appoints New CEO at Annual Convention Commemorating 35 Years of Play"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Devens, Mass., June 30, 2022 <\/strong><strong>\u2014\n<\/strong>The\nLearning Express Toys\n&amp; Gifts Franchise hosted its annual Convention and Vendor Expo in Ft. Lauderdale,\nFL earlier this week, giving store owners a first look at upcoming products\nfrom nationwide vendors.&nbsp; This Convention\nmarked the 35<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of the franchise and founder Sharon\nDiMinico\u2019s transition from CEO to her daughter, Lauren Derse. Sharon will\nremain involved as she guides both Lauren and Mike Derse in their new roles at\nthe company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an address to the company, Sharon wrote, \u201cLauren brings with her a Harvard Business School\ndegree but more importantly, she has had in-store exposure for over six years\nand multi-store ownership for four years. Nothing replaces first-hand\nexperience. You cannot lead a company like ours without knowing the ins and\nouts of our core business. Lauren will be an outstanding leader, and she has my\nfull trust and confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reflecting on her mother\u2019s legacy, Lauren stated,\n\u201cTo say that she is an inspiration is an understatement. Her hard work,\npassion, and vision guided me through school, career, and life. She created\nsomething that impacted so many lives. The Learning Express franchise gives\nfamilies the ability to own their own businesses with the support of a Home\nOffice team. The communities that are home to Learning Express benefit from the\navailability of high quality toys, best-in-class customer service, and a hub of\nPLAY for parents and children. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to\ncontinue leading your remarkable concept into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following product and vendor awards were also\npresented during the 2022 Convention:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Product\nAwards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Awarded to products new to Learning Express in Fall\n2021 or Spring 2022 based upon originality, creativity, leading edge design and\nsales performance in each of the following categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Product Award Winners<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>ART: &nbsp;<strong>Loopdedoo Bracelet Kit from Ann Williams<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>PARTY FAVORS: &nbsp;Tie &#8211; <strong>Fidgets from Top Trenz and Slime\n     from DopeSlimes<\/strong><\/li><li>PLUSH : &nbsp;<strong>Squishmallows from Kelly Toy <\/strong><\/li><li>PRESCHOOL: &nbsp;<strong>Sensory Bins from Creativity for Kids<\/strong><\/li><li>SCIENCE: &nbsp;<strong>Deluxe Frog Biosphere from<\/strong> <strong>Froggy\u2019s\n     Lair<\/strong><\/li><li>TRANSIT: &nbsp;<strong>Soccer Bot from Mukikim<\/strong><\/li><li>TWEEN 7+: &nbsp;<strong>Lumiela Necklace from Mulberry Studios<\/strong><\/li><li>TEEN 13+: &nbsp;<strong>Speks Magnets from Speks <\/strong><\/li><li>BOOKS: &nbsp;<strong>Poke A Dot Books from Melissa and Doug\n     <\/strong><\/li><li>ACTION\/SKILL\n     SPORTS: &nbsp;<strong>Stomp Racers from Stomp\n     Rockets; Honorable Mention &#8211; Arcade Pinball from Hobbytown <\/strong><\/li><li>TODDLER: &nbsp;<strong>Dimple\n     Line of Toys from Fat Brain Toys<\/strong> <\/li><li>GAMES: &nbsp;<strong>Where\u2019s Squeaky? Game from Blue Orange\n     Games<\/strong><\/li><li>DOLLS: &nbsp;<strong>Mattel\u2019s Barbie Color Reveal Doll from\n     ACD Distribution<\/strong><\/li><li>INFANT: &nbsp;<strong>Light Up Noggin Stik from Smart Noggin<\/strong><\/li><li>CONSTRUCTION: &nbsp;<strong>Smart Max 23-piece Set from Smart Toys and\nGames<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Toy of\nthe Year Award Winners:&nbsp; <\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Winner:<strong>&nbsp; Squishmallows from KellyToy<\/strong><\/li><li>Honorable Mention:<strong>&nbsp; DopeSlimes<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Vendor\nAwards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Best New Vendor Award:&nbsp; <\/strong>Awarded to\na new vendor who quickly understood the uniqueness of the Learning Express\nfranchise system, saw the opportunity of working together with us to grow both\nour business and theirs and whose product is innovative and performs\nexceptionally well in our stores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Winner:&nbsp; <strong>DopeSlimes<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Best<\/strong> <strong>Marketing Program Award<a>:&nbsp; <\/a><\/strong>Awarded to the vendor that has offered an\nexciting promotion that dramatically increased customer traffic while\nmaintaining profitable store sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Winner:<strong>&nbsp; Schylling (Buy Two Get One Free NeeDoh\nPromotion)<\/strong><\/li><li>Honorable Mention<strong>:<\/strong>&nbsp; <strong><em><\/em><\/strong><ul><li><strong>US Toys (Bunny Buffet Bucket Promotion)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Ann Williams, Creativity for Kids &amp; Ooly (25% off Arts &amp;\nCrafts Promotion)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sales\nAward:&nbsp; <\/strong>Awarded based on overall annual sales in\nLearning Express stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>First Place:&nbsp; <strong>KellyToy<\/strong><ul><li>Second Place:<strong>&nbsp; Top\nTrenz<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Third Place:<strong>&nbsp; Schylling<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sales\nIncrease Award:&nbsp; <\/strong>Awarded based on overall annual sales\nincrease in Learning Express stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>First Place:<strong>&nbsp; KellyToy\n<\/strong><ul><li>Second Place:<strong>&nbsp; Tangle\n<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Third Place:<strong> &nbsp;Novelty Toy <\/strong><\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Fourth Place:<strong>&nbsp; Streamline\n<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Vendor of the Year Award<\/strong>:&nbsp; Awarded to the vendor that provided our\nstores the opportunity to substantially grow their business, at outstanding\nmargins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Winner:<strong>&nbsp; KellyToy<\/strong><\/li><li>Honorable Mention:<strong>&nbsp; Top Trenz<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About Learning\nExpress Toys<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learning Express Toys is the nation&#8217;s leading franchisor of\nspecialty toy stores with more than 80 locations across the country &#8211; each one\nlocally owned and operated. Providing an extraordinary shopping experience,\nLearning Express Toys &amp; Gifts is best known for its knowledgeable and\nplayful sales staff and its unique product mix (birth \u2013 age 14). Believing that\neveryone who walks through the doors should be WOWED, Learning Express focuses\non toys, gifts &amp; experiences that celebrate life\u2019s best moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A birthday gift registry, free gift wrapping, free\npersonalization, civic fundraising and regularly scheduled children\u2019s events\ncontribute to the energetic atmosphere and exceptional customer service.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">###<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For\nmore information, interview requests, and media inquiries, please contact Meghan\nThompson at <a href=\"mailto:Meghan@learningexpress.com\">Meghan@learningexpress.com<\/a> or (978) 889-1083.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Devens, Mass., June 30, 2022 \u2014 The Learning Express Toys &amp; Gifts Franchise hosted its annual Convention and Vendor Expo in Ft. Lauderdale, FL earlier this week, giving store owners a first look at upcoming products from nationwide vendors.&nbsp; This Convention marked the 35th anniversary of the franchise and founder Sharon DiMinico\u2019s transition from CEO&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":8653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4,5,11,13,1],"tags":[17,19,20,22,23,24,26,34,41,42,45,47],"class_list":["post-8650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-convention","category-franchise-news","category-franchising","category-retail","category-toy-industry","category-uncategorized","tag-best-toys","tag-ceo","tag-familybusiness","tag-franchise","tag-franchise-awards","tag-franchise-convention","tag-franchising","tag-retail","tag-top-toys","tag-top-vendors","tag-toy-industry","tag-toy-manufacturers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8650"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8650\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pos.learningexpress.net\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}