2018 Annual Report

The Strong

The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library & Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play.

• Broke ground on a nearly 100,000-square-foot museum expansion and parking garage
• Announced The Strong’s Powered by Play, a $60 million capital campaign
• Welcomed nearly 585,000 guests on site, including guests from all 50 states and more than 50 countries, such as Ukraine, Thailand, South Africa, Dominican Republic, and Iceland
• Maintained nearly 17,000 member households
• Launched The Original Mobile Games app in partnership with Rochester Institute of Technology and Second Avenue Learning
• Opened Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails! an exhibit Minnesota Children’s Museum (borrowed, January)
• Opened Imagination Destination, an exhibit that allowed guests to role-play in inspiring spaces (permanent, March)
• Opened Rockets, Robots, and Ray Guns, an exhibit that explored the playful side of science-fiction books, toys, movies, and video games (temporary, June)
• Opened Jigsaw Puzzles: Putting it All Together, an exhibit that showcased The Strong’s world-class collection of puzzles (temporary, June)
• Opened Be the Astronaut, an exhibit from Eureka Exhibits (borrowed, September)
• Opened Women in Games, an exhibit that explored the untold stories of women in the video game industry (temporary, November)
• Hosted the Women in Games inaugural event featuring female video game pioneers, including Bonnie Ross, Megan Gaiser, Jen MacLean, and more
• Opened play zones at the Greater Rochester International Airport highlighting the National Toy Hall of Fame and World Video Game Hall of Fame
• Hosted nearly 3,000 adults for the museum’s Happiest Hour events
• Opened The Oregon Trail, MECC, and the Rise of Computer Learning; The Heart of the Matter: A History of Valentine Cards; World of War Games: A History of Wargaming; and A Brief History of Women in Gaming: The 1980s, online exhibits created in partnership with Google Cultural Institute
• Opened Peanuts and Play display featuring items centered on illustrator Charles Schultz
• Published A History of Video Games in 64 Objects with HarperCollins
• Welcomed nearly 200 members of the Museum Association of New York for a “Night of Play”
• Launched Game Saves from The Strong, a livestream program airing on Twitch highlighting The Strong’s electronic games collections
• Partnered with Google Arts and Culture to make 72,000 museum artifacts available online
• Launched the 20 for 20 Book Challenge in honor of the 20th anniversary of the museum’s Grada Hopeman Gelser Library
• Selected Partners + Napier as agency of record
• Featured on Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum in segments about Etch A Sketch and Ping Pong
• Posted more than 80 blogs to Play Stuff and Tumblr

Grants of Note

• Empire State Development, $20,000,000 for museum expansion
• New York State Council of the Arts and Empire State Development, $725,000 for museum expansion
• New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, $47,000 for general operating support
• New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, $41,285 to upgrade The Strong’s theater facilities
• Institute of Museum and Library Services, $135,763 to support cataloging and digitizing The Strong’s toy trade catalog collection
• National Endowment for the Humanities, $75,000 for electronic games exhibits planning
• William and Shelia Konar Foundation, $500,000 to assist with Woodbury School’s expanded classrooms and garden

National Acclaim

• Awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Association of Games and Puzzles International
• Named the “Top Place to Take Kids in the Rochester area” by KidsOutandAbout.com
• Named the “Best Children’s Museum in the World” by Oyster
• Named “Best Local Family-Friendly Attraction” by City Newspaper readers
• Named the gold standard for indoor amusement in Rochester by Democrat and Chronicle readers
• Named one of the top 20 “Best Family Museum in the United Stated” by Mommy Nearest

Collections

The Strong owns and cares for the world’s most comprehensive collection of toys, dolls, board games, video games, other electronic games, books, documents, and other historical materials related to play. This unprecedented assemblage offers a unique interpretive and educational window into the critical role of play in human physical, social, and intellectual development and the ways in which play reflects cultural history.

Key Acquisitions

Toy, Doll, Game, and Related Collections

• A sculpture of Snoopy as Joe Cool previously housed in Santa Rosa, California
• A collection of early 19th-century strategy and role-playing games
• A rare board from The Landlord’s Game, a predecessor to Monopoly
• A Japanese board game dating to 1740
• Artwork for an Atari Wonder Woman pinball playfield prototype
• A collection of artifacts related to team mascots created by Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison
• A collection of Par jigsaw puzzles from collector John Lillie

Video and Other Electronic Game Collections

• A collection of pre-production figures and portals, in-house molds and testing tools, and figures in original packaging from Toys for Bob’s gaming franchise Skylanders
• A collection of promotional items related to Wargaming’s video game World of Tanks
• An Altair 8800 computer and related documentation from former Atari game designer David Shapperd
• An arcade version of Computer Space Ball created by Nutting Associates
• A collection of prototype Atari arcade games

Archival Collections Related to Artifacts of Play

• A collection of comprehensive corporate records from Mayfair Games
• Additional toy, character, and mascot design documentation from mascot and Muppet character creator Bonnie Erickson for a collection acquired in 2016
• A collection of design concept sketches, presentation renderings, and prototype images for dolls and toys developed by designer Stefanie Eskander

Archival Collections Related to the Study of Play

• A collection of research notes, observational data, and scholarly papers from Alice Meckley, former president of The Association for the Study of Play (TASP)

Archival Collections Related to Video and Other Electronic Games

• A collection of parts lists, bills of material forms, corporate memos, notes, playfield drawings, parts diagrams, wiring diagrams, and other documentation related to coin-operated game companies Bally, Midway, and Williams
• A collection of artwork concepts, production schedules, and video oral history interviews chronicling the development of the gaming franchise Skylanders
• A collection of photographs, promotional videos, and behind-the-scenes footage related to the development of video game developer Wargaming
• A collection of fliers, brochures, hand-outs, manuals, and catalogs maintained by legendary pinball designer Steve Kordek

Education

At The Strong, students and educators alike have fun while learning. All educational experiences provided by the museum are informed by Reggio Emilia, a playful, innovative approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes collaborative exploration and inquiry and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

Education and Outreach Highlights

• Welcomed 13 interns from 10 colleges
• Delivered school lessons to more than 15,000 Western New York students
• Provided professional development experiences to more than 500 pre- and in-service teachers
• Educated 68 preschool and early kindergarten students through the museum’s Reggio Emilia-inspired Woodbury School
• Hosted The Strong’s second education conference, “Reclaiming Joy through Song, Movement, and Stories,” featuring keynote speakers Anna Rainville and Steven Levy (May)

Public Program Highlights

• Presented more than 30 public programs, including Superheroes Weekend, Healthy Kids Day, and In Another Galaxy
• Hosted more than 2,300 guests for ticketed events including Mario the Maker Magician, Museum Mondays for Seniors, Video Game Creation Workshop, and Women in Games: Inspire!
• Provided badge activities for more than 300 Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts
• Launched College Night after-hours program for students
• Hosted Labo Launch Party in partnership with Nintendo of America
• Launched Are You a Maker? Workshop series

National Toy Hall of Fame

The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. In 2018, the prestigious hall welcomed three new toy inductees.

• Honored the Magic 8 Ball, Uno, and pinball (November 8)
• Generated national and international media coverage from The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and ABC News
• Celebrated National Toy Hall of Fame inductees with special activities at The Strong (November 10 and 11)
• Recognized other toy finalists under consideration for the 2018 induction: American Girl dolls, chalk, Chutes & Ladders, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Masters of the Universe, sled, tic-tac-toe, Tickle Me Elmo, and Tudor Electric Football.

World Video Game Hall of Fame

The World Video Game Hall of Fame recognizes individual electronic games of all types that have enjoyed popularity over a sustained period and have exerted influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general.

• Honored Spacewar!, John Madden Football, ​Tomb Raider, and Final Fantasy VII (May 3)
• Generated national and international media coverage, including CBS News, USA Today, and Washington Post
• Celebrated World Video Game Hall of Fame inductees with special activities at The Strong (May 5 and 6)
• Recognized other video game finalists under consideration for the 2018 induction: Asteroids, Call of Duty, Dance Dance Revolution, Half-Life, King’s Quest, Metroid, Minecraft, and Ms. Pac-Man

American Journal of Play

The American Journal of Play, The Strong’s peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary publication with a global readership aims to increase awareness and understanding of the role of play in learning and human development. Current and archived issues may be viewed free of charge at journalofplay.org. This year, the journal celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Articles

• “Theme and Variation: Arranging Play’s Forms, Functions, and ‘Colors’” by Thomas S. Henricks
• “Examining Literacy Practices in the Game Magic: The Gathering” by Autumn M. Dodge (with Paul A. Crutcher)
• “Toward Creativity: Do Theatrical Experiences Improve Pretend Play and Cooperation among Preschoolers?” by Meredith L. Rowe, Virginia C. Salo, and Kenneth Rubin
• “Role Playing in Children’s Literature: Zilpha Keatley Snyder and The Egypt Game” by Cathlena Martin
• “Quixotean Play in the Age of Computation” by Miguel Sicart
• “Beyond the Ludic Lover: Individual Differences in Playfulness and Love Styles in Heterosexual Relationships” by René T. Proyer, Kay Brauer, Annegret Wolf, and Garry Chick
• “Developing a Dramatic Pretend Play Game Intervention” by Thalia R. Goldstein
• “Problem Gaming: A Short Primer” by Thomas E. Gorman, Douglas A. Gentile, and C. Shawn Green
• “The Physical Environment for Play Therapy with Chinese Children” by Yih-Jiun Shen, Sylvia Z. Ramirez, Peter L. Kranz, Xinhua Tao, and Yuanhong Ji
• “Liberating Human Expression: Work and Play or Work versus Play” by J. Talmadge Wright
• “Desire and Doubt: The Potentials and the Potential Problems of Pursuing Play” by Christine Payne
• “The Politics of Playtime: Reading Marx through Huizinga on the Desire to Escape from Ordinary Life” by Michael J. Roberts
• “Twitch and the Work of Play” by T. L. Taylor
• “Playing to Death” by Ken S. McAllister and Judd Ethan Ruggill
• “The Emotional Work of Family Negotiations in Digital Play Space: Searching for Identity, Cooperation, and Enduring Conflict” by J. Talmadge Wright and David G. Embrick

Government Grants

Empire State Development
$20,000,000 in Upstate Revitalization Inititative funds for museum expansion

New York State Council on the Arts and Empire State Development
$725,000 NYSCA Large Capital Fund Projects award for museum expansion

New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature
$47,000 for general operating support

Institute of Museum and Library Services
$135,763 Museums for America Funding to support cataloging and digitizing The Strong’s Toy Trade Catalog collection

National Endowment for the Humanities
$75,000 Public Humanities Projects planning grant for a new gallery focused on the history and cultural impact of video games

New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature
$41,285 to upgrade The Strong’s theater facilities

Foundation Support

$100,000+
William & Sheila Konar Foundation
Zeke and Jane Duda Family Foundation

$50,000–$99,999
Davenport-Hatch Foundation, Inc.

$25,000–$49,999
Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation
Jane L. Glazer and Laurence C. Glazer Charitable Trust
Toy Association and Foundation

$10,000–$24,999
Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation
Rochester Regional Library Council
Ames-Amzalak Charitable Trust

$2,500–$9,999
B. Thomas Golisano Foundation
Entertainment Software Association Foundation
Hallowell Fund
Greater Hudson Heritage Network
Riedman Foundation
Ralph and Eleanor Cantisano Family Foundation
Rubens Family Foundation

$500–$2,499
NYSCA/TDF TAP Plus
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation
Jane Henson Foundation
The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation
Massie Family Fund
The Hawkins Foundation

Game Changing Partners and Sponsors

LeChase Construction Services, LLC
M & T Bank
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Visionary Partners and Sponsors

Fidelis Care
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Monroe County (COMIDA)

Presenting Partners and Sponsors

Indus Hospitality Group
LiDestri Food & Beverage
Materne North America
To-Jo Mushrooms, Inc.
Zweigle’s Inc.

Executive Partners and Sponsors

Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Fowler Bros. Inc.
Perry’s Ice Cream Co., Inc.

Ambassador Partners and Sponsors

GUND Spin Master

Associate Partners and Sponsors

CJS Architects
Conifer Realty, LLC.
Five Star Urgent Care
Interactive Entertainment Law Group
Sphero

Supporting Partners and Sponsors

Broadstone Net Lease, Inc.
GHD
Simon Business School
Target Victor
Thomson Reuters

Community Partner and Sponsors

Betson Enterprises
Bill Gray’s Restaurants
The Bonadio Group
Brown & Brown of New York, Inc.
Danisco US Inc.
Diamond Packaging
Digital Development Management
Doodle Bugs! Children’s Centers
Garlock Sealing Technologies
The Goddard School
Hammer Packaging
Harris Beach PLLC
Imaginasium
KeyBank
Lonza
Mikyoung Kim Design
Monroe Veterinary Associates
Pepsi Beverages Company
R.L. Kistler Inc.
Rochester Regional Health
Stern Pinball
Trane
Tucker Printers
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Wright Beverage Distributing

Contributing Partners and Sponsors

Netflix
Bristol Mountain Winter Resort
Warner School of Education

Visionary Donors

Ellen Liman
Harvey D. Simmons (In Memory of Carol D. Simmons)
Bernard Birnbaum and Lisa Birnbaum
David J. Burns and Margaret M. Burns
Mary C. Valentine
Doris Bergen
Cathy Kaman Ryan and Fred G. Aten

Presidential Donors

Wayne LeChase and Beverly LeChase
Kyle Sayers and Nicole Sayers
William H. Goodrich
Chris Czarnecki and Jill Czarnecki
Mee F. Wing and Jerry McSpadden
Laura Saxby Lynch and John R. Lynch (In Memory of Hon. J. Robert and Sarah N. Lynch)
Joseph C. Briggs and Nancy Briggs
Anne D. Williams
Ed Fries
John Lillie
Richard Malinich
Warren H. Heilbronner and Joyce Heilbronner

Leading Donors

Zeke Duda and Jane Duda
Cecilia G. Golden
Alexander Del Monte and Claire Del Monte
Steve M. Dubnik and Claire Dubnik
Dawn Williams-Fuller and Hugh Fuller
John Anderson and Lisa Anderson
Martin Jarzebowski and Mahta Mortezavi
James Maurer and Nona Maurer
Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison
Michael Pachter
Erika Duthiers and Christopher Simmons
Iris Zimmermann and Kevin Nowack
Ralph Dandrea and Colleen Dandrea
Joyce Crofton
William D. Rice and Mary Ann Monley
David Grenewetzki and Vicki S. Grenewetzki
Lewis Rothberg and Shelby Nelson
Fred W. Smith and Jo Anne Smith
Joy Ryen Plotnik and Ronald Plotnik
William J. Tribelhorn
Joshua Weitz and Lesley Loss
Dan Dangler
Brian Fargo
Carla Engelbrecht
Christian Svensson
Esther Krakower
Jeanne B. Hutchins
Joan L. Feinbloom
Nancy Robbins
Ronald C. Mead
Richard J. DiMarco and Allison U. DiMarco
Jeffrey Mattox and Helen Mattox
Jeff Valentine and Jennifer Valentine
Laura Masterson and Katelyn Masterson
Jake Pierson and Kerry Pierson
Edward A. Boucher and Margaret Boucher
Rebecca Burkey and Timothy Burkey
Michael Miller and Vanessa Sheldon
Steve Pasierb and Wendy Pasierb

Sustaining Donors

Clinton Sugnet
Neal Burns
Collene M. Burns and McLean Bulmer
Lisa M. Feinstein
Amy Rosenfeld
Ben Dobrzynski
Gail McGreevy Harmon
Stephen Skrainar and Beth Skrainar
Charlie Giambrone and Melissa Giambrone
Michael J. Cicero and Stephanie Cicero

Benefactor Donors

Bruce McLear and Eleanor McLear
Brendan Dolan
William J. O’Connor
Kevin Dickens and Julie Dickens
Keenan Barry and Erin Budd Barry
Barry L. Steinberg
Carl Fantauzzo
Deborah G. Goldman
Duncan Moore
Elizabeth A. Coleman
Laura Pecci
Laureen A. Burke
Mike Vorhaus
Sharon Garelick
Amy Ryan and Alex Ryan
James Costanza and Andrea Costanza
Tanner Cheek and Ashley Cheek
David Ahl and Betsy Ahl
Dominick Annese and Charlene Annese
Susan Rupp and Jim Leff
Enid Cardinal and Keira Cardinal
Michael Raff and Linda Raff
Jeffrey Paille and Lisa Paille
Robert Pease and Nicole Pease
Stephen Dyson and Pauline Dyson
Paul Gardner and Rose Pleninger
Meredith Rochwarg and Scott Rochwarg

Contributing Donors

Brian Bennington
Daniel Glover
Anthony LeBlanc
Jennifer Gruenberg
Patti A. Sheldon (In Memory of Lynn Reynolds and Samuel Sheldon)
Christopher Harris and Christine Ferris
Brian Weaver and Colleen Weaver
John Weisberg and Dinah Weisberg
Jonathan Krotz and Kathleen Krotz
Dan Habza and Laura Habza
Joseph Slisz and Mary Ellen Slisz
Richard Cava and Robyn M. Holmes
Ellery Durnion
David A. Krotz
Michele Cassara
Nancy Gardner
William S. Lane and Mary V. Lane
Mary Gleason and Michael Patric
Judith W. Kaplan and Stuart L. Kaplan
H. Bruce Russell and Susan F. Russell
Cassandra Peltzer and John Lewis
Suzanne Hansen
Jeremy Durnion
Caitlyn Forsyth
Diane H. Olin
James M. Maher
Kathy Kusak
Laurie Work
Peggyann Munnick
Rick Tucker
Ted Messner
Mark Dwyer and Amanda Dwyer
Dustin Maier and Christine Maier
Lauren Groth and Cuyler Groth
Melanie Bobry and Daniel Polant
G. Rollie Adams and Diana G. Adams
Michael Livernash and Donna Livernash
Beth Orlowski and Gregory Wood
Suzanne Seldes and Jerry Seldes
Laura Hellaby and Joe Hellaby
Katrina Busch-Quinn and John Quinn
Alfred Laitenberger and Kathleen  Laitenberger
William Dalton and Kathleen Sisson
Joel DiMarco and Katy DiMarco
Joseph Talbot and Leah Talbot
Lella Gandini and Lester Little
Steve Rauh and Linda Rauh
Marc Fleming and Lisa Fleming
Mark Rothrock and Lisa Rothrock
Rob Thornburg and Loralei Thornburg
Shira Goldberg and Mark Lazeroff
Mark Cronin and Melissa Cronin
Anthony Spada and Nancy Spada
Sandra Frankel and Neil Frankel
Jon Michael Lacek and Renee Lacek
Janice Daitz and Robert Cutting
Mark Todd and Sue Todd
Nick Iadarola and Suzannah Iadarola
Brian Van Auker and Tracy Van Auker

Upper Level Members

Presidential

Fred Aten and Cathy Kaman Ryan

Leading

Dennis Buchan and Mary Buchan
Leslie DesMarteau and George DesMarteau
Dr. Eric Dreyfuss
Patrick Fulford and Barbara Fulford
Linda McGinley
Harvey Simmons
Dr. Stephen Vega and Dr. Madelyn Garcia
Hope Williams
Mark Wilson and Karen Wilson

Sustaining

Michael Bargmann and Susan Bargmann
Richard Bloom
John Bruning and Barbara Bruning
Dr. Thomas Caprio and Ann Caprio
Tanner Cheek and Ashley Cheek
Katherine Cove
Roland DeLardge and Kimberly DeLardge
Alan Deuel and Erin Deuel
Matt Drake and Jamie De la Rosa
G. Edward Duckett, Jr. and Katherine Duckett
Jean Ellefson and Charles Gardiner
Joshua Glasser and Lisa Glasser
Christopher Harris and Christine Ferris
Warren Heilbronner and Joyce Heilbronner
Walter B. D. Hickey
Pamela Marsocci and Dr. Steven Marsocci
Dr. Amanda Martin and Dr. Algernon Kelley
Dr. Edward Messing and Susan Messing
Misty Jo Neilson and Thomas Neilson
Kathy Nixon and Ted Nixon
Dr. Vivian Palladora
Michael Pinch and Karina Pinch
Jay Rachfal and Peg Rachfal
Dr. Tab Whang and Josephine Whang
James Widmaier and Laurie Widmaier

Benefactor

Karen Alexander and Christine Irwin
Elizabeth Anderson
Nathan Andrews and Jillian Andrews
Susan Baechle and Jared Mooberry
Elizabeth Carozzolo and Thomas Carozzolo
Amy Castle
Edward Driscoll and Christine Driscoll
Michael Edelman and Jessica Edelman
Susan Eisinger and Dr. Steven Eisinger
Elizabeth Fleischman and Stephen Fleischman
Antuana Rhodes Fulgham and Shana Radford
Sandra Goldman and David Goldman
Catherine Goodfellow and Alan Goodfellow
Rickie Lee Hermann and Cassondra Lee
Ryan Hughes and Audra Webber
Dr. Sherrif Ibrahim and Vanphen Ibrahim
T’challa Jenerson and Camille Radford
Kim Kashorek and Josh Kashorek
Dr. Ernest Krug and Sarah Krug
Kathleen Landon and Robert Landon
William Mackey and Joan Mackey
Katherine Markert and Adam Markert
Cassandra Peltzer and John Lewis
David Perlman and Marjorie Perlman
Nathan Robfogel and Susan Robfogel
Dr. Sidney Sobel and Barbara Sobel
Dr. Clinton Sugnet
Eric Wallen and Monica Wallen
Sylvia Watkins
Melanie Wolk and Jeremy Wolk

Adrian Jules
Aerial Arts of Rochester
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Alexander Eye Associates
Altitude Trampoline Park
Anderson’s Frozen Custard
Ape & Canary
Arbor Hill
Arc & Flame Center
Belle La Vie
Bill Gray’s Restaurants
Ricki Birnbaum
Bison Baseball
Black & Blue Steak and Crab
Black Button Distilling
BOA Editions, Ltd.
Melanie Bobry
Thomas Bonadio
Breathe Yoga Studio
Newman Brown
Buffalo Bills, Inc.
Buffalo Museum of Science
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Zoo
David and Margaret Burns
Butler/Till Media Services, Inc.
Canfield & Tack
Cheesy Eddie’s
Clubhouse Fun Center
Color Me Mine
Compass Cycle & Flow
William Cooper
Corning Museum of Glass
David Cowles
Crayola Experience
Crust Pizza Kitchen
Dan Dangler Photography
Debra Wallace Photography
Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse
Delta Sonic
Downstairs Cabaret Theatre
Dripping in Gems
Steve and Claire Dubnik
Zeke and Jane Duda
Jon-Paul Dyson
Eastman Kodak Company
eeBoo
Embrasse-Moi
Entercom Radio
Bonnie Erickson
Everson Museum of Art
Evolution Pilates of Rochester
Eye Openers Optical Fashions
Lisa Feinstein and Dan Dangler
Fisher-Price (Mattel)
David and Ilene Flaum
Garden Factory
Garth Fagan Dance
Genesee Country Village & Museum
George Eastman Museum
Barry Gilbert
Betsy Gilbert
Google, Inc.
Great Wolf Lodge Southern California
Greater Rochester International Airport
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Henrietta
Hampton Inn and Suites Rochester/Victor
Hampton Inn Rochester/Greece
Hampton Inn Rochester/Penfield
Herschell Carousel Factory Museum
Hershey’s Chocolate World
High Peaks Resort
Holiday Inn Express and Suites
Holiday Inn Niagara Falls
Holiday Inn Rochester Downtown
Hyatt Place East End
Inn on Broadway
I-Square
Martin Jarzebowski and Mahta Mortezavi
Rami Katz
Kindred Fare
Peter Landers
Lasertron
LiDestri Food & Beverage
Lollypop Farm
Lululemon
M & T Bank
Madeline’s Catering
Maid of the Mist
Mars Candy
Mary Therese Friel, LLC
Joseph Mayernik
Midtown Athletic Club
Gary Muisus
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Naval and Military Park
Nazareth College Arts Center
Aaron Newman
Nolan’s Rental
Nox Cocktail Lounge
NVP Sports Park
Orvis
Painting with a Twist
Palazzo Jewelers
Albert Paley
Paula’s Donuts
Penfield Sport and Fitness
Playmobil
Sara and Mark Poe
Radisson Hotel Rochester Airport
William Rice and Mary Ann Monley
Donald and Reva Riley
RIT Inn & Conference Center
Sam Rivoli
Rivoli and Rivoli Orthodontics
Roc Boxing and Fitness Center
Rochester Americans Hockey Club
Rochester Brainery
Rochester City Ballet
Rochester Community Baseball, Inc.
Rochester Fencing Club
Rochester Museum & Science Center
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Rochester Riverside Hotel
Rock Paper Scissors Salon
Rock Ventures
Rohrbach Brewing Company
Adam Rooney
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
RPM Raceway
Salena’s Mexican Restaurant
Salon Bello
Laura Saxby Lynch and John Lynch
Stephanie Schaeffer
John Schantz
Seabreeze Amusement Park
Seneca Park Zoo Society
Sesame Workshop
Joe Seymour
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Earl Shores
Small Fry Art Studio
Eric Smith
SPOT Coffee
Stephanie Styling
Stever’s Candy
Strenczewilk
Tangle Creations
Tantalo Photography
Mike Teddy
The Cub Room
The Gem Lab
The Landmark Society of WNY
The Rabbit Room
The Rinks at HarborCenter
The Shops on West Ridge
The Warrior Factory
The Wellington Hotel
The Wild Center
Tompkins Financial Advisors
Total Sports Experience
Mary C. Valentine
Jeff and Jennifer Valentine
Libby Varno-Colbert
Vega Plastic Surgery & Medspa
Mike Viggiani
Waboba
Wegmans Food Markets
John Weisberg
Mee Wing and Jerry McSpadden
Woodcliff Hotel & Spa
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Iris Zimmermann and Kevin Nowack

All Stars

Mary C. Valentine
Wegmans

Game Changers

Birnbaum Companies
Monroe County (COMIDA)
LeChase Construction Services, LLC

Power Players

Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Konar Management
Schuler-Haas Electric Corp.
Zimmet Group

Play Makers

AAA Western and Central New York
Ajay Glass Co.
Bolton St. Johns
Broadstone Net Lease, Inc.
CJS Architects
Conifer Realty, LLC.
Constellation Energy
Dermatology Associates of Rochester
ESL Charitable Foundation
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
USI Insurance Services

Game Players

CloudCheckr, Inc.
Brinkman International Group, Inc.
Brown & Brown of New York, Inc.
Buckingham Properties
Butler/Till Media Services, Inc.
Cottone Auctions
DiMarco Group
Federated Investors
HB Cornerstone
LeChase Construction Services, LLC
M/E Engineering, P.C.
Nazareth College
Paychex, Inc.
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Bonadio Group
The Martin Group
Prime, Buchholz & Associates, Inc.

Team Players

Bill Gray’s Restaurants
Break the Ice Media
Brighton Securities
CloudDOCX
Costanza Enterprises, Inc.
Del Monte Hotel Group
DGA Builders
Digital Hyve
Dixon Schwabl
Facehead Digital
Henderson-Johnson
High Probability Advisors
iV4
JP Morgan Private Bank
Kelly Schultz Antiques
LaBella Associates, P.C.
LiDestri Food & Beverage
Mark IV Enterprises, Inc.
Messner Carpeting
Mutual of America
Partners + Napier
Popli Design Group
Roc Brewing Co.
Sage Rutty and Company
Technical Systems Group, Inc.
The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation
Tipping Point Media
Tompkins Financial Advisors
Toy Association and Foundation
Trane
University of Rochester

Hasbro, Inc.
Mattel, Inc.
Play Monster LLC.
Funko Headquarters
Scott Adams
Carly Alicea
Ronald Anderson
Anonymous
Anonymous
Laurielyn Antinora
Rochester Institute of Technology Archives
Ashley Armitage
Adam Beach
Doris Bergen
Sandy Boyst
Duncan Brown
Jacquie and John Bucklin
Ryan Burger
Jennifer Byrnes
Mary Calabrese
Mary Cameron
Sharon Campbell
William Cardot
Gayle Caven
Brendon Chung
Linda and Stu Churchill
Richard Clothier
Walter Colley
Karen Collins
William Cooper
Sally Corden
Tim Coyle
Sherry Cursi
Randolph d’Amore
Donna Darryl
Mark Davis
James Deighan
Katherine Deil-Klotz
Steve Desroches
Eileen Dibley
Sam Dicker
Steve Dubnik
Jesyca Durchin
Patricia Dutton Alwardt
Diane Dyl
Christine Elia
Hillary Ellis
Bonnie Erickson
Andrew Ervin
Stefanie Eskander
Carolyn Ettinger
Anna Marie Falkner
Ken Fedesna
Shawn Ferguson
Kevin Flynn
Megan Gaiser
Judy Gehman
Parham Gholami
Gregory Glazman
Fran Gordon
Owen Gottlieb
Jack Guarnieri
Marcia Habecker
Christopher Harris
Lisa Hartman
Cheryl Henson
Marnie Herzfeld
Nan Hildebrandt
Patricia Hogan
Jay Hollis
Brian Howard
Sharron Isaacson
Steve Jacobs
Roberta Jacobson
Jeremiah Jensen
Diana Keating
Douglas Knight
Helena Krebs
Craig Kubey
Charlie Kulas
Annakaisa Kultima
Gus Lanzetta
John Lawson
Lisa Lee
Kelley Lessard
Erin Libby
John Lillie
Ellen Liman
Henry Lincoln
Luis Locarno
Ed Logg
Dave Long
Anthony Loperfido
Grace MacBride
Alice Meckley
Lawrie Merz
Earl Mikel
Andrew Molloy
Ron Moore
Mark Morse
Beth Mufson
Peggyann Munnick
Jason Murawski
Tim O’Connor
Kevin O’Hare
Carol Ottenberg
Antori Pancco
Michelle Parnett-Dwyer
Bill Pasco
Carol Pearson
Nicole Pease
Jamie Pendleton
Judy Peterson
Sharon Pratt
Leopoldo Prendes
John Pupo
Petri Purho
Antoinette Rahn
Dorothy Reed
Paul Reiche
Martin Reinhardt
Carolyn Reno
Patricia Rick
Cesare Rocchi
C. J. Rogers
Randi Rost
Emily Roth
Amanda Rowe
Jo Rydholm
Jason Sadofsky
Jeremy Saucier
Paul Scheeler
Suzanne Seldes
Joe Seymour
David Shepperd
Earl Shores
Garcia Shores
Earl Roddy
Tracy Spaight
Gregory Sprague
Richie Sternfeld
Ann Stevens
Liz Streb
Shannon Symonds
Peter Takaichi
Tina Terhaar
James Thrush
William Tribelhorn
Marc Tschida
Kim Marie Utz
Mary Valentine
Paul Vitale
Joe Vitale
Lesley Votava
Guy Welch
Anne Williams
Gay Williams
Leviticus Williamson
Amanda Wolfe
Adam Woodbury
Blake Wright
Mike Yuen
Amanda Yung
Dixie Zappala
Laura Zigarowicz

Doris Bergen
Department of Educational Psychology
Miami University (Emerita)

Ian Bogost
School of Literature, Media, and Communication
Georgia Institute of Technology

Simon J. Bronner
American Studies Program
Pennsylvania State University–Harrisburg (Emeritus)

Stuart Brown
Founder
National Institute for Play

Gordon M. Burghardt
Department of Psychology
and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Tennessee

Garry Chick
Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Pennsylvania State University (Emeritus)

Howard Chudacoff
Department of History
Brown University

Rhonda Clements
School of Education
Manhattanville College

Gary Cross
Department of History
Pennsylvania State University

David Elkind
Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development
Tufts University (Emeritus)

Mary Flanagan
Film and Media Studies
Dartmouth College

Miriam Forman-Brunell
Department of History
University of Missouri–Kansas City

Doris Pronin Fromberg
Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership
Hofstra University (Emerita)

Joe L. Frost
Child Development
University of Texas at Austin (Emeritus)

Kyra D. Gaunt
Department of Music and Theater
University of Albany

Peter Gray
Department of Psychology
Boston College

Thomas S. Henricks
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Elon University (Emeritus)

Linda E. Homeyer
College of Education
Texas State University–San Marcos

Joan P. Isenberg
Graduate School of Education
George Mason University (Emerita)

Olga S. Jarrett
College of Education
Georgia State University (Emerita)

Jesper Juul
The School of Desgin
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts

Terry Marks-Tarlow
Private Practice, Santa Monica, California
Insight Center, Los Angeles

Amy Ogata
Department of Art History
University of Southern California

Vivian Paley
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Emerita)

Anthony Pellegrini
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Minnesota (Emeritus)

Sergio Pellis
Department of Neuroscience
University of Lethbridge

Charles E. Schaefer
School of Psychology
Fairleigh Dickinson University (Emeritus)

Allan Schore
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
University of California at Los Angeles
David Geffen School of Medicine

Jerome L. Singer
Department of Psychology
Yale University (Emeritus)

Marjorie Taylor
Psychology Department
University of Oregon (Emerita)

Ian Bogost
Professor, Georgia Tech and Founding Partner, Persuasive Games

Stewart Bonn
Interactive Entertainment Consultant

Warren Buckleitner
Editor, Children’s Technology Review

Mark Caldwell
Cofounder and CEO, PLAOR

Simon Carless
Publisher, Executive Vice President, UBM Techweb  

Louis Castle
Chief Strategy Officer, Shuffle Master

Bob Christopher
President, InnerCircle1 Venture Forum

Don Daglow
President and Creative Director, Daglow Entertainment

John Davison
Director and General Manager for Content and Publishing, Red Robot Labs, Inc.

Mark DeLoura
Game Technology Consultant

Rusel DeMaria
Video Game Historian

Keith Feinstein
Creative Director, Eureka Exhibits

Ed Fries
CEO, FigurePrints

Bill Gardner
President and Managing Partner, Digital Entertainment Insights, LLC

James Paul Gee
Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies, Arizona State University

Hal Halpin
President, Crest Group, management company for the Entertainment Consumers Association

Trip Hawkins
Cofounder, If You Can

Robin Hunicke
Cofounder, Funomena

Steve Jacobs
Associate Professor, Interactive Games and Media, RIT and Editor-in-Chief,Computer Game Education Review

George Jones
Interactive Entertainment Consultant

Michael Katz
Former President, Sega of America and Interactive Entertainment Consultant

Debra Kempker
President, Prima Games

Elizabeth Lane Lawley
Professor of Interactive Games and Media, Rochester Institute of Technology

Nicole Lazzaro
President, XEODesign, Inc.

Carter Lipscomb
Senior Special Markets Manager, Strategic Business Development for Sony Computer Entertainment America

Jennifer MacLean
Head of Business Development, Ovuline

Sid Meier
Director of Creative Development, Firaxis Games

Chris Melissinos
Cofounder, Past Pixels, LLC

R. J. Mical
Inventor and Engineer

Jamil Moledina
Cofounder and CEO, Wormhole Games

Joe Morici
Director of Business Development, Marmalade

Brenda Romero
COO, Cofounder, and Game Designer for Loot Drop

John Romero
Cofounder and Chief Officer, Loot Drop

Kellee Santiago
Partner, Indie Fund

Courtney Brown Simmons
Senior Vice President of Publicity, DC Entertainment at Warner Brothers

Robert Sirotek
Cofounder, SirTech Software, Inc

Robert Stevenson
Chief Business Officer and Senior Vice President of Strategy, Gaikai

Bernie Stolar
Former President, Sega of America and Interactive Entertainment Consultant

Christian Svensson
Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development, Capcom

Tommy Tallarico
Executive Producer, Video Games Live

Chris Taylor
Founder and CEO, Gas Powered Games

Jon Van Caneghem
VP Production Strategy Games, EA LA

Will Wright
Founder, Stupid Fun Club

Michael Berenstain
Author and Illustrator

Stuart L. Brown, MD
President
National Institute for Play

Mary Couzin
Executive Director
Chicago Toy and Game Group

Gary S. Cross, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Modern History
Pennsylvania State University

Tony Elam
Game Collector
Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Kentucky
Principal, Elam Consulting

Judith Ellis
Chairperson, Toy Design Department
Fashion Institute of Technology

Richard Gottlieb
Richard Gottlieb’s USA Toy Experts

Claire S. Green
President
Parents’ Choice Foundation

Cheryl Henson
President
The Jim Henson Foundation

Clark T. King
Game and Toy Collector

Eugene Metcalf, Jr., PhD
Professor Emeritus, American Studies
Miami University

Anthony Pellegrini, PhD
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Minnesota (Emeritus)

Gerard J. Puccio, PhD
Chairperson and Professor
International Center for Studies in Creativity
Buffalo State

Amy Rosenfeld
Senior Coordinating Producer
ESPN

Deborah Ryan
Chairperson, Toy Design Department
Otis College of Art and Design

Dorothy Justus Sluss, PhD
Professor, College of Education
Director, Elementary Education MAT Program
James Madison University

Edwin J.C. Sobey, PhD
Northwest Invention Center

Timothy M. Stearns, PhD
Coleman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies
Director, Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
California State University, Fresno

Marianne M. Szymanski
President
Toy Tips, Inc.

Marjorie Taylor, PhD
Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology
University of Oregon

Tim Walsh
Fearless Leader
The Playmakers

Bruce Whitehill
Games Historian

Anne D. Williams
Professor Emerita
Bates College

Arthur Yorinks
Writer and Director

Jean-Michel Blottiére
Program Chair Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH
(France/Germany)

Ian Bogost, PhD.
Professor, School of Literature, Media and Communications
Georgia Tech (United States)

James Brightman
Editor in Chief GamesIndustry.biz | Gamer Network (United States)

Mia Consalvo
Canada Research Chair, Games Studies and Design Concordia University (Canada)

Tristan Donovan
Author, Replay: The History of Video Games (United Kingdom)

Clara Fernández-Vara
Associate Arts Professor New York University Game Center (United States)

Christopher Grant
Editor in Chief Polygon (United States)

Raiford Guins
Associate Professor of Culture and Technology Stony Brook University (United States)

Nina B. Huntemann, PhD
Director of Research and Academics
edX
(United States)

Stephen Jacobs
Professor, B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
Rochester Institute of Technology (United States)

Darran Jones
Editor Retro Gamer Magazine (United Kingdom)

Jesper Juul
Associate Professor Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (Denmark)

Mike Kennedy
President RETRO Videogame Magazine (United States)

Carly A. Kocurek
Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities and Media Studies
Illinois Institute of Technology (United States)

Chris Kohler
Editor and Writer (United States)

Andreas Lange
Director Computerspielemuseum (Germany)

Elizabeth LaPensée
Game Designer and Writer (United States)

Henry Lowood
Curator, History of Science and Technology Collections; Film and Media Collections
Stanford University (United States)

Andy McNamara
Editor in Chief Game Informer (United States)

Aki Nakamura
Professor Ritsumeikan University (Japan)

James Newman
Professor Bath Spa University (United Kingdom)

Won Yong Park
Advisor Nexon Computer Museum (South Korea)

Latoya Peterson
Writer and Digital Strategist (United States)

Kiyoshi Shin
Associate Professor Digital Hollywood University (Japan)

Melanie Swalwell
Associate Professor ARC Future Fellow Flinders University (Australia)

Dean Takahashi
Lead Writer for GamesBeat Venturebeat (United States)