Countdown to the Largest Toy Show in Western Hemisphere

 

February 8, 2016 | With Saturday around the corner, the 113th North American International Toy Fair will open its doors in New York City. The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is reminding global buyers, exhibitors, and other play professionals of a few important details to keep in mind as they prepare for the February 13-16 show.


Opening Ceremony

Toy Fair’s ribbon-cutting ceremony – complete with costumed characters and surprises – will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 13 in the Crystal Palace of the Javits Convention Center. An estimated 31,000 attendees from more than 100 countries will occupy the massive 415,000 net square feet of exhibit space for four jam-packed days of order-writing, trend-spotting and networking.

Knowledge Network
Throughout Toy Fair, TIA’s Knowledge Network will offer business-building educational sessions for manufacturers, retailers, inventors, digital media professionals, and more. Seminar highlights include:

  • The Toy Trends Briefing (Sunday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.), where experts will unveil the year’s top trends using examples from the show floor;
  • TIA’s Global Trade and Market Expansion Program (Sunday and Monday, Feb. 14 and 15), will cover the U.S., United Kingdom and Canadian markets, as well as seminars covering exporting and social media strategies ;
  • TIA’s in-depth Toy Safety Update (Monday, Feb. 15 at 9:30 a.m.);
  • Creative Factor (sessions on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, Feb. 13-15), a drop-in learning program for creative professionals and entrepreneurs;
  • The Licensing Content Connection, featuring educational programming created specifically for the world of licensing;
  • Independent Thinking (sessions on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-14), expert-led sessions for specialty toy shop owners.

After-Hours Networking

The Toy of the Year Awards will take place the night before Toy Fair opens, on Friday, February 12th at the American Museum of Natural History. The dazzling networking gala will honor the best toys and games of the year and celebrate the induction of Walt Disney Company President and CEO, Bob Iger, into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

Other after-hours events during Toy Fair include TIA’s Young Professionals Network Happy Hour and Networking Event (Saturday, Feb. 13); TIA’s International Visitors Reception (Saturday, Feb. 13); the Great Canadian Play Date (Sunday, Feb. 14); in addition to a number of activities being hosted by various organizations throughout the show.


Free Tools

Toy Fair Mobile is a free mobile app for all show attendees, allowing users to search exhibitor booths, navigate the show floor, browse educational sessions, locate meeting rooms, access special show promotions, and more. Search “Toy Fair Mobile” in the Apple Store or Google Play Store to download the appropriate version for your device. 

The Toy Fair Online Press Room provides retail buyers and members of the media with 24/7 access to exhibitor profiles, press releases, the official Toy Fair event profile and logos, show-related news articles, and live streaming of #TFNY-tagged Tweets and images.

Finally, ShopToyFair365.com  is an innovative e-commerce tool that enables registered Toy Fair buyers and exhibitors to connect and conduct business online before, during, and after Toy Fair. Powered by Balluun, the free platform allows exhibitors to create a virtual showroom that includes their company profile, contact information and product catalogue. Buyers can browse the showrooms from a mobile device or computer, “follow” companies, “like” their product offerings, and place purchase orders year-round.


“Toy Fair 2016 will be a memorable experience for all attendees. From product demonstrations to order-writing to networking, the energy on the floor will be amazing. More than 1,200 passionate exhibitors will display their innovative toys and games which we’ll soon see on store shelves and in homes,” said Steve Pasierb, TIA President and CEO.


The 113th North American International Toy Fair will take place Feb. 13-16, 2016 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Members of the toy community are invited to join the Toy Fair conversation by following Toy Fair on Twitter and Facebook and tagging content with #TFNY.