BOSTON, June 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Learning Express Toys, the nation's largest educational toy retailer, is pleased to announce that its annual company convention and vendor expo will be held June 23-26 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. 2013 marks the 26th anniversary for the toy store franchise, and the 16th convention for the company.
The Learning Express Toys Annual Convention will host the Learning Express corporate staff, the owners of 130 Learning Express toy stores, and more than 120 of the world's top toy vendors. Over $12,000,000 in toy merchandise is purchased at the convention each year. In addition, awards for outstanding manufacturers, as voted by the local Learning Express store owners, will be presented at the awards banquet on June 26.
The theme at this year's convention, In Tune with the Times, is a nod to both Nashville's rich musical heritage and an acknowledgement of the ways brick and mortar retail must evolve and change in the digital age. Workshops, round tables, and a variety of speakers will focus on helping owners achieve an interactive, memorable shopping experience for customers. "To stay relevant, Learning Express locations must become more than just toy stores," notes Learning Express Toys Founder and CEO Sharon DiMinico. "It's essential that our stores are places where families gather, children learn and explore, and a sense of community is established and embraced."
Many of the toys featured in the vendor booths will be donated to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt after the expo. Representatives from the Children's Hospital will be at the vendor expo at 4:30pm on Wednesday, June 26 to pick up the donations and Learning Express will tour the hospital on Thursday, June 27 to see what areas of the hospital the toys will benefit.
Vendors donating toys include: Compendium Inc, Makit Products, Workman, Green Toys, Scholastic, Fremont Die, DK, Diggin, Kid Galaxy Inc, Carson Dellosa, EDC Publishing, Charisma Brands, Romanoff Products, Kaskey Kids, SmartLab Books & SmartLab Toys, Joint Merchant, Fascinations, Inc, Daydream Toys, Kids Preferred, ThinkFun, Uncle Milton, Melissa & Doug, Madd, Capp Games, Orb Factory, BeAmazing, Elenco, TOMY, The Original Toy Company, Baby Aspen, Trendy LLC, Wipeout Helmets, and Gund.
Learning Express currently has two stores in Tennessee—Franklin and Chattanooga, and the company plans to open a number of new locations across the country in 2013.
The Learning Express Annual Convention is open to the media. Please contact kathryn@learningexpress.com to register in advance and receive a press badge for the expo.
About Learning Express
Learning Express Toys is the nation's leading franchisor of educational toy stores with more than 130 locations across the country. Each store is proud to be counted amongst the family of homegrown local businesses in its community. Learning Express storeowners go to work each day to provide their neighbors with a warm, friendly environment in which to shop, meet, and learn. Whether shopping for a birthday gift on the go, that extra-special cherish-forever Christmas present, or the latest must-have collectible, Learning Express will always have the perfect toy. The Learning Express product mix is the crème de la crème of the industry, carefully evaluated for safety, child-tested for fun, and guaranteed to help parents raise smart, healthy kids. Perks such as expert advice, a "Birthday Box" for making birthday wishes, free gift-wrapping, free personalization, civic fundraising, and customer VIP programs set the Learning Express toy shops apart from other retailers. To learn more about Learning Express Toys, franchise opportunities, or a store near you, visit www.learningexpress.com">www.learningexpress.com.
For more information, interview requests, and media inquiries, please contact Kathryn Blanchflower at 978-889-1087 or at kathryn@learningexpress.com.
To learn more about Learning Express, franchise opportunities, or a store near you, visit www.learningexpress.com">www.learningexpress.com.
About Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a freestanding hospital dedicated to serving only children, is nationally recognized as a leading provider of pediatric health care services. Experts treat and work to prevent all health issues ranging from common childhood conditions to serious, advanced diseases. Featuring Centers of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes and congenital heart disorders, Children's Hospital also operates the region's only level 1 pediatric trauma unit and a neonatal intensive care unit with the highest designated level of care. In addition, Children's Hospital is a top-level teaching and research facility. No child is denied care on basis of limited ability to pay.