Last night, Steve Rad’s Abacus Brands opened the doors to its Los Angeles headquarters for their LA Showcase Official After Party, welcoming leading brands, inventors, agents, representatives, distributors, buyers and members of the global toy and games community for an evening filled with celebration, connection and a little mischief.

Based in Los Angeles, Abacus made the occasion unforgettable by inviting the industry onto its home turf and creating a dynamic space for people to connect beyond The LA Showcase floor. Partners alongside: The Toy Association, itb, Sky Castle, Game On, Pudgy Penguins, TikTok Shop and Backdrop.com, the evening brought together new game launches, previews of what is coming next, a live TikTok Shop event, music, drinks and plenty of dancing.

At the heart of the gathering was a simple message from Abacus Brands founder and frontman of @InStoresNow Steve Rad (YouTube): “Life is short, and taking the time to celebrate matters. The toy industry is built around creating joy, bringing people together and making lasting memories, and the evening was a celebration of the people and relationships that make that work possible." Longtime collaborators reconnected, new relationships took shape, and the community came together to celebrate both how far the industry has come and the opportunities still ahead.

Surrounding guests with experiences created by Bakcdrop.com, the party also marked an exciting new chapter for Abacus Brands with the official launch of Radical Games’ first cohort of incubated party games from emerging inventors that will be landing exclusively at TARGET in the coming weeks. Created to discover original ideas and help independent creators bring them to life, Radical Games provides the development expertise, resources and distribution support needed to transform promising concepts into products made for a broader audience. Its debut lineup includes Froggy Frenzy, Lick My Nachos, Trick Shot Trivia, Glory Hole, Shady Charades, Tug of Draw, Identity Swap, and Split or Steal, a collection of highly social, personality-driven games designed to spark conversation, friendly competition and unforgettable moments. “Our inventor relationships are a vital part of our growth strategy,” partnering with folks like Richard North, Barry McLaughlin, Jason Lautenschleger, Alex Furher, and Steve Starobinsky. 

The launch reflects Abacus Brands’ continued evolution and its commitment to championing fresh creative voices as it expands across tabletop games, collectibles, original IP and licensed entertainment. 

With new ideas taking shape, emerging inventors joining the Abacus community and plenty more still to come, the evening offered a glimpse at the momentum building across the company. Abacus looks forward to sharing the next wave of creations and surprises in the months ahead. 

Sometimes the best way to bring an industry together is also the most fundamental: open your doors, share new ways of play and throw a fun party.