artist-produced trend spaces. Who: Approximately 400 brands will show at Playtime, including more than 50 new international brands this year. Some fresh faces for Playtime’s 2012 childcare section include Bugaboo, Bloom Baby, Ergo Baby and Aden & Anais. Great for retailers and exhibitors alike, Playtime expects over 5,500 visitors from 48 countries. When: March 10-12 (New York edition) Where: 82Mercer, New York, NY Contact: www.playtimenewyork.com, (212) 563-7301 DALLAS MARKET CENTER What: With an entire 250,000-square-foot floor dedicated to children’s products, this show features a bevy of brands from local showrooms, including The Closet, Eureka!, Hope’s Chest and Summer Place II, as well as educational sessions held by digital marketing experts to lure attendees. Who: The market draws all types of children’s buyers with its range of infant, kids, tween and maternity lines, but a steady amount of retailers located west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains account for the show’s most loyal and frequent attendees. When: Jan. 26-29, March 22-25, May 31-June 3, Oct. 25-28 Where: Dallas Market Center Contact: www.dallasmarketcenter.com, (800) 325-6587 ABC KIDS EXPO What: Encompassing nearly a million square
feet of exhibition space, in 2012 the ABC Kids Expo will turn 10 with more than 800 exhibitors in attendance. The event, set to return to a retailer-friendly Sunday to Wednesday schedule, also will host an industry reception with networking opportunities and entertainment. Who: Juvenile specialty stores remain the show’s core attendees, but thanks to its wellrounded range of categories (furniture and bedding, baby gear, apparel), the show is also well represented by many national retail chains, e-tail stores, catalogers, regional chain stores and specialty gift stores. When: Oct. 14-17 Where: Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY Contact: www.theabcshow.com, (210) 691-4848 AMERICASMART ATLANTA What: From maternity to childhood, Children’s World at AmericasMart Atlanta is home to more than 700 leading apparel lines that suit the South’s unique taste for trendy and traditional goods. Who: Children’s apparel retailers itching to tap into add-ons and bonus sales will find plenty of tempting shoes, accessories, keepsakes, gifts and even bedding and home furnishing. The market’s close proximity to women’s, men’s and accessories showrooms also make it a prime spot for retailers that cater to the entire family. When: Feb. 2-6, April 12-16, June 7-10, Aug. 16-20 Where: AmericasMart Atlanta, Atlanta, GA Contact: www.americasmart.com, .&& (.+#,(-.
Playtime New York