Learning Express' Scarsdale Store Owner Travels To Hong Kong To Judge International Toy Contest

DEVENS, MA (Thursday, October 14, 2004) - When Scarsdale, NY toy retailer Ken Levinsohn checked his email last month ago, he couldnýt believe what he read ý an invitation from Learning Express President Joe Diaz for one store owner, among 100+ across the country, to travel to Hong Kong ý all expenses paid -- to judge an international toy competition, four weeks later.

ýPlaythings Magazine asked me to send an American retailer to travel to the 4,500-booth International Toy and Gift Show, held annually each fall in Hong Kong. I thought this would be a great opportunity for a Learning Express store owner,ý explained Diaz. ýI wrote in my email that for anyone who could get away, this would be a great occasion to not only visit but to spy some great new toy products for 2005.ý

The Scarsdale Learning Express store owner was selected by Learning Expressý home office. Now heýs packing his bags for the October 20-23 trip to Hong Kong. He will represent the United States and sit alongside judges from Italy, Germany and Japan in choosing the newest toy designs. As part of his appearance, he will attend opening ceremonies, visit a press conference to meet the local media and walk the toy show floor when not serving as a judge for the Hong Kong International Toys and Gifts Show ý one of Asiaýs biggest events appealing to global buyers. Exhibitors from Austria to Vietnam will be among the 60,000 visitors registered to attend. The official languages of the toy conference are Cantonese and English.

ýIýve never been to the Orient,ý said Levinsohn excitedly. ýIn fact I decided this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity should be shared by my family so I bought an airplane ticket for my wife, Ellen, and for my 4-year-old daughter, Laurel. Iýve been told that the dress code in Hong Kong is much more formal than at the annual American International Toy Show where polo shirts are the norm,ý he added with a laugh. Heýs packing several suits and ties!

Levinsohn not only owns and operates the Scarsdale Learning Express store but heads the 12-member panel of the Learning Express Franchise Advisory Council, informing the specialty toy store chain headquartered in Massachusetts of the needs and desires of store owners in 30 states across the country.

About Learning Express
Learning Express is the leader in the specialty toy and childrenýs gift category and has more than 100 locations in 30 states. They provide a fun and friendly shopping environment with sales staff out from behind the counter providing expert advice to parents. Their shelves are stocked with thousands of unique, stimulating and innovative products. Each neighborhood store offers many special services: a gift registry, a frequent buyer program, free gift-wrapping, and free personalizing. The company's headquarters are located in Devens, Mass., but each store is individually owned and operated by people who have a real passion for toys. For more information on Learning Express, please visit www.learningexpress.com or call 1-800-924-2296.

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