Trends Column - the U.S. Toy Association talks about ToyFairEverywhere.com

New timing for Toy Fair New York

The U.S. Toy Association has revealed details of the new timing for Toy Fair New York. The announcement was made during the trade association’s AGM (Annual General Meeting) on February 23, which was held virtually and open to all members.

President & CEO Steve Pasierb said the board had decided to shift Toy Fair New York to an autumn timeframe. The move and the dates are currently being negotiated for September 2023.

But he noted that “strong demand from exhibitors and keen interest from key retail buyers argues for a one-time fall marketplace event to move forward this year with dates set for September 20 to 22, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.”

He added: “While the board and the trade show committee recognise and accept that some LA-based companies will take a different approach to a fall Toy Fair and use it for other purposes, timing Toy Fair New York to meet the needs of an evolved and evolving industry will ultimately better serve the business needs of our members and the buyer community - as well as open new doors to licensors and entertainment studios allied with the toy industry - all in an ideal time to make impactful holiday news and enjoy New York’s ready access to major national and international media, as well as the financial community, which many exhibitors tell us are essential ingredients in Toy Fair.”

Toy Fair exhibitors

donate 3,500 toys to KidsOut

The end of Toy Fair, held at London Olympia from January 25 to January 27, was marked once again with the annual Toy Fair Trolley Dash in aid of KidsOut, where generous exhibitors kindly donated thousands of toys and games, which will go directly to help support children who have had to flee abusive homes.

More than 35 staff and volunteers from Toy Fair’s charity partner, KidsOut, collected around 3,500 toys from the stands on the final evening, as they passed through the aisles of the show with shopping trolleys, donated by Tesco.

BTHA director of fairs & special events Majen Immink commented: “It was great to be able to end the show with the Trolley Dash again this year. It’s always such a fun and positive culmination of a busy three days, while supporting a very important and worthwhile cause.”

Exhibitor applications for Toy Fair 2023 will open at the end of March online at www.toyfair.co.uk.

TOY FAIR EVERYWHERE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

In the ongoing absence of many live events, buyers looking for the hottest new toys, games and youth entertainment products are encouraged to visit ToyFairEverywhere.com, says U.S. Toy Association senior advisor, strategic communications Kristen Morency Goldman

ToyFairEverywhere.com is billed as the toy industry’s only B2B digital social marketplace that lets both sellers and buyers grow and manage their wholesale business every day, everywhere. It can be used to advance their businesses, forge connections, stock shelves, and see entire product lines or curated offerings via photos, videos, and online catalogues. The platform is free and easy to navigate.

Kimberly Carcone, senior vice president of global market events at the U.S. Toy Association - the trade group that runs the platform - said: “While Toy Fair Everywhere had been open for business for several years, it quickly became the place to source new products and make connections when the onset of the pandemic brought in-person events to a halt.

“While events and travel begin to resume, Toy Fair Everywhere will continue to act as an important tool in the buying and trend-spotting cycle, given that it is accessible and actively used throughout the year and offers conveniences and features that are not necessarily available at a physical show.”

Toy Fair Everywhere offers 24/7 access to a diverse array of suppliers, including companies that may not be able to make the trip to in-person events due to cost, staff availability, or scheduling conflicts. Tapping into Toy Fair Everywhere is seamless, convenient, and does not confine buyers to specific dates for shopping leading toy brands the way a physical show would. Anyone who uses the platform can schedule product demos, book appointments, and place orders - on any day of the year. To date, thousands of buyers from more than 80 countries have visited Toy Fair Everywhere to view showrooms and connect with sellers.

Toy Fair Everywhere is hosting category marketing buying events throughout 2022 to provide a focused environment for everyone to explore and shop – from Toy Fair Month kicking off on February 21 (the week that Toy Fair New York would have taken place), to Outdoor Play & Sporting Goods (beginning March 21), Arts & Crafts (April 18), Games & Puzzles (May 16), and more.

Toy Fair Month on Toy Fair Everywhere also features virtual educational content that was slated to take place at the Javits Center [Toy Fair New York venue], including the U.S. Toy Association’s much-anticipated Toy Trends Briefing, plus seminars about the Metaverse and diversity, equity & inclusion, and more.

Kimberly added: “With the toy industry continuing to show signs of growth [U.S. toy sales rose another 13% in 2021 according to NPD], thanks in part to the pandemic and families shifting lifestyles to encompass more play, we are working day in, day out to ensure sellers and buyers continue to meet and do business successfully on a global scale. Toy Fair Everywhere continues to be a critical resource for anyone with a stake in the business of toys, play, and youth entertainment.”

For more information, visit www.ToyFairEverywhere.com.