December 12, 2012 – WIT is very pleased to announce the launch of a new and groundbreaking initiative at Toy Fair 2013 entitled the WOMEN IN TOYS - WALMART WOMEN'S GLOBAL ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Initiative, which will help Walmart reach its goal to source $20 Billion from Women-Owned Businesses by 2016.

During Toy Fair, WIT will offer its version of “speed dating” in which women-owned businesses of all sizes will be able to pitch their products to Walmart. For more information about pitching your products, or to join the planning committee, please contact: Patti Becker, Becker Associates LLC, www.BeckerAssoc.com, PBecker@BeckerAssoc.com or 203-322-7396.

As part of its Women’s Global Economic Empowerment Initiative announced last fall, Walmart has committed to sourcing $20 billion dollars from Women-Owned Businesses over five years. "Walmart is very excited and committed to our Women Owned Business Initiative," says Laura Phillips, Senior Vice President of Toys, Seasonal, and Celebrations for Walmart U.S. and a member of the Women in Toys (WIT) Advisory Board. "Walmart will lead a major effort in three key areas, with specific goals to empower women across its global supply chain by the end of 2016. We are eager to extend the pipeline and create a Women in Toys - Walmart Global Economic Empowerment Program for Women, to find and source women-owned companies with products that buyers can come and see during Toy Fair," says Phillips.

A two-pronged approach is aimed to help grow women-owned businesses who are active suppliers, as well as those that would like to become suppliers.

"WIT is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Walmart!" says Patti Becker, Chairman of the WIT Advisory Board and Immediate Past President of WIT, who approached Walmart with the idea to collaborate. "The WIT - Walmart Women's Global Empowerment Initiative will provide a vehicle for women-owned toy companies and related children's businesses to access Walmart buyers, potentially become a new Walmart supplier or have the opportunity to grow their supplier business if they are already an active Walmart vendor. We are extremely grateful to everyone who is working with us, and we're excited to see this initiative come to fruition in time to launch at Toy Fair 2013."

The Walmart pitch meetings are by appointment only, during Toy Fair, February 10-13, 2013, at Javits Convention Center. The Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment Booth #5801 will be used to promote this initiative and serve as registration check-in for Walmart pitches. Private meeting rooms provided by the Toy Industry Association will be made available and outfitted for Walmart Pitches. Dozens of women-owned businesses who have children's products, product lines, and brands to pitch have already shown interest. An anonymous private donor has pledged up to $3 Million to develop approved products. More than 20 women have joined the planning committee. Marketing consultants, manufacturers, packaging designers, PR firms, Industry Associations, and trade journals will collaborate with WIT, publish articles and promote the initiative, help suppliers prepare for their Walmart meetings and expand their Walmart business.