President’s Letter: July 19, 2016 – Helping Members Profit in the Indian Toy Market

To help our members tap into India’s rapidly developing economy, we are pleased to announce that TIA will once again host its annual fact-finding excursion and cultural immersion program this September at Kids India. Located in Mumbai, Kids India is the nation’s largest trade event for the toy industry, launched in 2013 by Spielwarenmesse eG (Nuremberg Toy Fair) in cooperation with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. 

Taking place September 15-17, the show presents an enormous opportunity for TIA members looking to break new ground in India or expand their current sales operations in the region. Home to more than a billion people (half of whom are under the age of 25), India has the second largest population in the world and a growing number of middle class consumers looking to purchase high-quality toys and games.

TIA’s three-day immersion program, taking place the 16th through the 18th, will provide U.S. toymakers with a view inside India’s economy and emergent toy retail landscape. Educational workshops, networking meals and toy factory and retail visits in Mumbai will help companies identify new opportunities for their products and brands. TIA staff leading the delegation, Ed Desmond and Marian Bossard, will provide participants with an insider understanding of the region, giving them the tools they need to enter the local market with confidence.

TIA member George Irwin of Irwin Toy, Inc. put it best: “We were part of TIA’s market exploration delegation to India last September and expect to return this year to build on that experience.  Meaningful content was delivered during the daily briefings and key contacts were established which allowed us to enter the market this year with confidence, and to make some long-term plans.”

Our immersion program during Kids India is one of the many resources we offer TIA members looking to grow their businesses overseas. For more information, please contact Marian Bossard (don't delay, space is limited). I hope you will consider joining our team and your fellow toy industry colleagues on this adventure. As always, I encourage you to take the time to explore all that TIA has to offer as you seek expansion opportunities in global markets that will open doors for you and your company. 

All good wishes,

Steve Pasierb
spasierb@toyassociation.org

Follow me @StevePasierb