Action Figures- The State of the Industry
THURSDAY, JULY 22
6-7pm
ROOM 3
Action figure sales and marketing have changed radically since the days of walking down to your local discount stores and picking up your favorite MEGO or new Star Wars figure. The Direct Market, mail order and the Internet have all changed where and how you can find your favorite toys. Does Wal-Mart control what characters get made? Can a license without a media tie-in make it in todayıs crowded market? Is the collectors market making a difference or is it still ³all about the kids?² Find out the answers to these questions and more from a diverse group of panelists from different companies all addressing these issues from their perspective. Moderator- Julius Marx from Action Figure Times
Mike Horn- CEO, Palisades Toys
Georg Brewer- VP of Design and Retail Product Development, DC Direct
Jesse Falcon ­ Sr. Product Manager, Toy Biz
Brant Bridges- Production Manager, Sideshow Collectables
Linda Lum- President, Dreams and Visions
Digger- President and Founder, Art Asylum
Jerry Macaluso- President, SOTA
Chuck Terceira- Director, Diamond Select Toys
Larry Marder- President, McFarlane Toys

Behind the Plastic
FRIDAY, JULY 23
5-6pm
ROOM 2
Launching a successful toy line is a bit like putting a man on moon. It takes a lot of people to make it happen. It takes a lot of late nights; blood, sweat and tears, and once you finally get it going you don't want it to stop. Every company has had their successful andŠwell, not so successful lines. "Behind the Plastic" looks at the triumphs and heartbreaks of launching toy lines and getting them to store shelves. Why did a line end? Why haven't they made your favorite character yet? What does the future hold for your favorite line?
Come hear toy industry professionals tell us the behind the scenes stories of your favorite toy lines. Moderator- Julius Marx from Action Figure Times
Jesse Falcon ­ Sr. Product Manager, Toy Biz
Kim Mattison- Product Development Manager, Palisades Toys
Randy Falk- Director of Product Development, NECA Inc.
Digger- President and founder of Art Asylum
Dev Gilmore- Account Executive, Gentle Giant Studios
Jerry Macaluso- President, SOTA
Larry Marder- President, McFarlane Toys

Under the Knife- An Action Figure Sculpting Discussion
SATURDAY, JULY 24
6-7pm
ROOM 7A
Action figure sculpting is pop art that is just recently coming into the spotlight. In years past, nameless faceless sculptors cranked out figure after figure of beloved characters, but now the sculptors are becoming more well known among fans and the industry. In this discussion with some of the industryıs top sculptors we will discover the path that led them to many a ³fan boyıs² dream job. Find out what tools and materials they use and where laser scanning ends and the sculptor takes over. We will discuss mold making and painting, find out their favorites, and who they would like another crack at. Moderator- Julius Marx from Action Figure Times
Phil Ramirez- Sculptor, Toy Biz
Eric Treadaway- The Four Horsemen- Sculptor, Mattel, NECA
Chris Dahlberg- The Four Horsemen- Sculptor, Mattel, NECA
Dev Gilmore- Account Executive, Gentle Giant Studios
Jonathan Mathews- Sculptor, DC Direct
Digger- President and Founder, Art Asylum
Shawn Knapp- Associate Art Director, DC Direct
Andy Bergholtz- Sculptor, Sideshow Collectables
Sam Greenwell- Sculptor, Toy Biz, NECA
Jean St. Jean- Sculpting Supervisor, McFarlane Toys