Hall Of Fame Inductees
2025
2025 WTHRA Hall of Fame Inductees & Retailer of the Year at ToyFest
Mike Banducci, Mike Whitham, Stewart Rosenberg
Snapdoodle Toys & Games is awarded Retailer of the Year
Mike Banducci
The late Mike Banducci was a cherished figure in the toy and game industry, with a career spanning over three decades. After graduating from San Diego State University in 1985 and driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he leveraged the extensive relationships his father, Ron Banducci, had cultivated over the years, he began his toy career as a sales representative in 1988 and later founded R&M Distributors, achieving early success with the popular "POGS" trading game. In the mid-1990s, he expanded into retail, opening Games & More and later Toys, Games & More in Clayton, California. Mike was known for his generosity, donating toys to fundraisers, and organizing charitable events while his stores became local favorites for Beanie Babies, Pokémon cards, and more. His mantra, "It’s not work when you get to be with your friends," reflected his focus on building genuine relationships and earning him respect. Throughout his multi-layered career as a sales representative, retailer, distributor, employer, colleague, and valued community member he left a legacy of warmth, collaboration, and lasting friendships left a significant mark on the toy industry.
Date of Toy Retirement or still active: Passed Away on August 2022
Mike Whitham
Mike Whitham began his toy industry career in 1988 at Mr. G’s for Kids in Los Angeles and later managed Kiddie World Toys in San Jose, and in 1994 started with a retail start up called Vintage Sports. Itching to get back to the toy industry, he joined Golden Sales as a Sales Rep in 1997 covering Northern CA and Northern NV. After driving nearly 200,000 miles in his first three years, he added Learning Curve Toys, boosting his business significantly. Learning Curve was a specialty toy line that had key brands such as Thomas the Train, Lamaze, Ambi Toys, Small Miracles, Eden and Madeline. This allowed Mike to expand his business and grow the Golden Sales footprint in the territory. Over 27 years, Mike expanded Golden Sales’ reach and built lasting relationships with customers and vendors. He retired at the end of 2023, leaving a legacy of professionalism and friendship. He plans to spend his retirement years painting and woodworking in his new home studio, as well as traveling with his wife Jill.
Date of Toy Retirement: End of December 2023
Stewart Rosenberg
Stewart Rosenberg, founder of Artist Point Wrap, was first introduced to the toy industry purely by chance when his gift rep group, Splash, suggested he sell gift wrap to toy stores during the heyday of Hallmark stores. After attending the Toy Fair in NYC, a fellow small business owner, Richard Freeman, suggested he sign up for the Western Toy and Hobby Show (now ToyFest) in Pomona, CA. What began with just 16 designs has now expanded to 160. From learning about trends and expanding our offerings to designing wraps that are both visually appealing and practical for stores to use, it’s been a journey of innovation and collaboration. Today, Artist Point is proud to support toy stores in creating joyful moments for kids. “We’re not just about gift wrap—we’re about helping toy stores bring smiles to children’s faces,” says Industry veteran Stewart Rosenberg.
Date of Toy Retirement or still active: Still Active
ToyFest
is hosted by
Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association
A non-profit organization