New Dates Announced for Fall Toy Preview 2017

September 19, 2016 | The Toy Industry Association (TIA) has announced the dates for next year’s Fall Toy Preview, slated to take place Tuesday, October 3 through Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Dallas Market Center in Texas.

According to Jay Foreman, president of The Bridge Direct and chair of TIA’s Trade Show Committee, the dates were carefully selected with the needs of TIA members in mind.

“We are thrilled that next year we will not have the same overlap in dates with the Los Angeles previews, conducted by many Association members in September, as we will experience this year,” said Foreman. “Out of consideration for many of our members, the show moved to the last week of September this year to avoid a conflict with the Jewish High Holidays. We have been communicating directly with the key players in LA to ensure the previews there will be completed by the last week of September 2017, thereby freeing up all retail accounts to continue their preview activity in Dallas the following week.”

In addition, based on feedback from members, TIA is exploring the possibility of extending Fall Toy Preview 2017 with an extra, optional half-day, allowing for a “soft” opening on Monday afternoon, October 2. TIA’s Trade Show Committee will make a final determination in the coming months.

Excitement is currently building for this year’s Fall Toy Preview, taking place in just two weeks. Hundreds of buyers from mass and specialty retail outlets are registered for the September 27-29 show, where they will shop toys of all varieties from developmental and educational toys to crafts, books, puzzles, activity toys and other playthings expected to drive sales in Q4 2017. International attendance is growing with more than 20 countries represented.

High profile retailers including Amazon, Dollar Tree Stores, Hobby Lobby Stores, Michael’s, Toys“R”Us, Target  and Walmart will be in attendance, as well as buyers from novelty, eco-friendly, museum, homeschool supply and specialty toy shops.

TIA’s trend-spotting team will also be on-site at the show to hold one-on-one meetings with manufacturers and scope out their latest lines; please contact TIA to schedule an appointment. The products seen at Fall Toy Preview will ultimately help TIA establish the top toy trends of 2017, to be unveiled at the 114th North American International Toy Fair next February.

For more information about Fall Toy Preview 2016, and to register, visit www.FallToyPreview.org. Exciting details about next year’s show will be shared in the coming months.