Committees

Best Toys for Kids Committee
This committee shall develop and refine as needed, a criteria and process to ensure the validity for products chosen as award recipients. It is further tasked with reviewing the entries each year to ensure the quality of the list. It will also assist in the development of the retail merchandising packets and all content, and online resources to members.

Convention Committee
This committee shall provide a first-class educational program for retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives focused on the needs of the membership, and aimed at delivering sessions that provide best business practices, innovation in retail, and child development. It is further tasked with creating appropriate social activities and networking opportunities to enhance interaction among all the participants.

Membership Committee
This committee shall identify and implement strategies, including new member benefits, to increase membership in all categories. It will also look at ways to increase member retention.

Public Relations Committee
This committee shall develop a broad strategy, key messaging and activities for the association’s retail/consumer public relations program. This committee was responsible for the creation of Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

Small Store Committee
This committee shall develop programming and listserv content that serves the special needs of small stores.

Website Committee
This committee shall identify the use, purpose and functions of an all member resource that will also be accessed by the industry, media, and consumers. The committee will assist on-going with the development of new content, new media, and new technologies for the ASTRA website.

Awards Committee
This committee shall develop a membership award program including a defensible process to highlight the years’ best retailers, manufacturers and sales reps. Each year the committee will review the criteria and process to determine if it needs to be improved. Awards will be presented at the annual Marketplace & Academy.

Newsletter
The editor and co-editor are responsible for the development of an annual editorial calendar. Writers and contributors are welcome to join this team to provide industry news, technology, retail, child development, or related articles each edition.