Plans Are Underway for Toyfest 2023

INDUSTRY FORUM TOYFEST

Plans Are Underway for ToyFest 2023!

By Carrie Scanlan

Earlier this year, e Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) announced the return of ToyFest to e Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, February 27 – March 3, 2023. e Board of Directors and Slate of O cers have spent the summer making plans and exciting changes for the 2023 show.

e 2022 ToyFest show was one of the best attended ToyFest shows in the past two decades. Buyers came from all over the United States and beyond. And the response was phenomenal. ToyFest has always exuded old-school Toy Industry tradition with a gala night that is free to buyers and celebrates independent toy store owners, iconic manufacturers, and top-notch sales reps by inducting them into the fall of fame. is event is always packed with old friends reconnecting with industry pals they haven’t seen since the last gathering.

In addition to the gala evening, other favorite events scheduled during the show are the legendary game night (it always ends up with a waitlist for both game manufacturers) and the more recently added Morning Masterpieces which o ers buyers hands on arts and cra s opportunities over breakfast one morning of the show. is year there was a line out the door.

Word is spreading about what a great show ToyFest is becoming. With the permanent calendar change of Toy Fair and the renewed interest in personal connection, ToyFest is expected to continue to have increased national attendance. It is not a coincidence that the show meeting the needs of the buyers in timing, budget, ease, and relationships is put on by the same group that worked diligently with stores over the last couple of years to get through the pandemic. In 2023, ToyFest will be not only the rst, but THE Toy Show to attend.

With the rebranding of ToyFest as a national show, the organization took the opportunity to launch a new website this summer, ToyFestUS.com, as well as a new contact email, info@toyfestus.com, and new social handles, @ToyFestUS. e slogan under the logo also changed to ‘Where Specialty is the Best’ to promote Specialty as a main source of business conducted at ToyFest. Some of the other changes you will see around the 2023 show include a new hotel location at Resorts World by Hilton on the Las Vegas Strip, the Gala will also be moved to Resorts World’s, Zouk Nightclub for a private event, a Landing Pad for Reps who may not want a full booth space or attend without product.

Dates and times for ToyFest 2023 are:

·Monday, February 27, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm – Showrooms Only

·Tuesday, February 28, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm – Expo & Showrooms

·Wednesday, March 1, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm – Expo & Showrooms

· ursday, March 2, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm – Expo & Showrooms

·Friday, March 3, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Expo & Showrooms

TOY ASSOCIATION

· e event will open with Showrooms only on Monday, February 27, 2023. Stay tuned to our website for a list of showrooms and exhibitors participating.

· ToyFest will kick o its rst event on Tuesday, Feb 28 with Morning Masterpieces just before the show opens at 9:00 a.m.

· e evening of Feb 28, ToyFest will host its annual Gala at Resorts World newest nightclub, Zouk located in e District. is will be a private event just for ToyFest participants.

· A seminar, TBA, will take place Wednesday morning, March 1.

· e legendary Game Night will take place Wednesday, March 1 in the Worldview Room of Building B at World Market Center at 6:00pm. is event is always a win. Come hungry, thirsty, and be prepared for speed gaming!

· Best of ToyFest taking place, ursday, March 2, will be held a little di erently this year. Details will be announced as they are nalized. But I can say, we hope to have a special guest of two judging the products this year.

· e Ra e will continue and be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and ursday of the show week. Attendees will see a fun play-yard around the Ra e area.

· And nally ToyFest will as usual encourage Vendors to give their best ToyFest Show Special to make placing orders a little easier for the Retailers.

Attendee Registration is currently open for Buyers, Buyer Guests, Media, and R&D. All others will be considered exhibitors. Exhibitor Registration will open in September. Early bird discounts will be o ered through November 30. Exhibitors who have not registered in the past 3 years may ll out a New Exhibitor Form to be approved to exhibit.

More details about the show will be made available as plans are nalized such as the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees, Retailer of the Year, Seminar Speaker(s), Game Night and Morning Masterpieces vendors, and Show Sponsors.

At this time, the Directors and O cers invite retailers to register for ToyFest 2023.

Carrie Scanlan is ToyFest Show Director and WTHRA Executive Secretary. For more information, Carrie can be reached at info@toyfestus.com.