by The Association Of Games And Puzzles International | 01 Apr 2026
Press Release
Celebrate Minnesota Game and Toy Community on Friday, July 10th
Kicking off the AGPI 2026 Conference!
The Association of Games and Puzzles International (AGPI), Games by James, and People of Play invite you to attend a social celebration of Minnesota Board Games & Puzzles: Past and Present. People of Play is well know for their pub events around the world and is excited to host their first in the greater Minneapolis area. Everyone in the toy and game industry is welcome to attend! Register HERE!
This event kicks of the 2026 AGPI Annual Convention. A complete schedule can be found at www.gamesandpuzzles.org.
Who is invited? Board Game & Puzzle publishers, designers, industry folk, collectors and
enthusiasts
When? Friday, July 10th
5:00 – 6:00 Social Hour
6:00 – 7:00 Buffet Dinner
7:00 – 8:00 Facilitated Discussion
8:00 - ?? Open gaming and puzzling and mingling
Where? DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport, 2020 American Boulevard East
Bloomington, Minnesota 55425
Cost $75 Register HERE!
Sponsorship Opportunities $250
We are looking for companies to sponsor our event. Sponsorship includes your name/logo on all promotional materials, including website, program and marketing flyers. To become a sponsor, please contact Nadine Sehnert at games@nadinesehnert.com.
The Association for Games & Puzzles International (AGPI)
Founded in 1985 by Bruce Whitehill, is the world’s foremost organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of games and puzzles.
As an international association, the AGPI is chartered to conduct research and explore the history of games and puzzles from ancient times to the present, and to disseminate information about games and puzzles to the broadest audience possible, including the general public, the media, libraries, museums, scholars, and others. Games and puzzles offer a remarkable view of our cultural past and future!
Games by James
Founded in 1979 by Glenn McKee and now led by son Logan McKee. A local leader in the retail market game and puzzle market, Games by James has six locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
People of Play\CHITAG
People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association, supports the global toy and game industry by fostering innovation, creativity, and connection. Founded by Mary Couzin in 2003 as the Chicago Toy & Game Group and rebranded as POP in 2020, the organization has grown into a leading community and resource hub for industry professionals, inventors, and play enthusiasts of all ages.
Through its dynamic platform and events—including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, and POP Pub networking events held worldwide since 2018—POP connects and celebrates the people and ideas shaping the future of play.
POP Pub July Event: Celebrating Minnesota’s Game and Toy Community and Kicking off the AGPI Conference
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