INDUSTRY FORUM TOY ASSOCIATION
Reflecting on a Successful ToyFest 2023 By Carrie Scanlan ToyFest concluded its 10th tradeshow in Las Vegas, held at the World Market Center. Toy & Gift Stores from across the US attended the Las Vegas Show including stores from 48 states, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Guam, Korea, Mexico, Micronesia, Panama, Philippines, South America, the UK, and Venezuela. “ToyFest 2023 was filled with buyers from all over the country. The show had great energy and excitement, allowing everyone to enjoy all ToyFest had to offer. Resorts World was the perfect host hotel. Can’t wait for 2024, as we grow and continue to make ToyFest the best it can be for all.” said Sandy Lepire, ToyFest President.
opportunity to see and learn in a hands-on fashion the newest and most creative kits and crafts on the market from a sold-out room with fifteen vendors including Abacus Brands, Anker Play Products, Bright Stripes, Connetix, Crestrar, DJECO, Mindware, OOLY, Outset Media, Plus-Plus, Ravensburger, The Pencil Group, U.S. Toy, Wikki Stix, and Wrebbit Puzzles. ToyFest gave out extra drink tickets for the ToyFest Gala to those that stopped by each vendor table.
The ToyFest Gala was held at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World where DJ Flight had the people out of their seats dancing. More than 550 guests were in As the specialty market evolves, ToyFest will attendance, and unfortunately some 100-150 were continue to make this tradeshow relevant, affordable, turned away because the venue reached capacity. This fresh, and appealing to the specialty retailer. Bill will be rectified in 2024. Sandy Lepire and Bill St. St. John, Chairman of the Board commented at the John kicked off the awards portion of the Gala with General Meeting on Thursday night, “Our focus is to the introduction of the volunteer Board of Directors make 2024 a better show than it was this year. There and Slate of Officers. As always, individuals from the were a few growing pains, but I believe the overall toy industry were inducted into the Western Toy & mood is that the buyers were happy, and most of the Hobby Hall of Fame. This year, Piccolo Mondo in vendors were happy as well.” ToyFest experienced Portland, OR took home Retailer of the Year. Michelle almost double the number of manufacturers and Smith accepted the award from Lepire. Lorraine retailers in attendance this year. Both Morning Bozeman of Bozeman and Associates, Carol Knight Masterpieces and Game Night were sold out, the who owned The Toy Store in Idaho, and Mark Parsons Gala hit capacity, and both seminars were full of from Winning Moves were honored and inducted people. ToyFest received positive feedback from for 2023. Sandy thanked everyone for attending and the exhibitors who attended the show, with many revealed CA Game Day will be August 28, 2023, in who have said they will be returning next year. The Berkeley, CA. The NW Game Day will be Aug 23 buyers that participated in Morning Masterpieces, the in Portland, OR and for the first time a second NW ToyFest Gala, Game Night, and the seminars felt value Game Day will be held in Seattle, WA on Aug 24. The in attending these special events. Gala was exciting, visually stunning, the food was delicious, and the toy industry enjoyed socializing Morning Masterpieces was a breakfast and with friends and collogues, creating a captivating kit session to kick off the show. Buyers had the evening. 20 tfe June 2023