FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Adrienne Appell
Toy Industry Association
646.520.4863
aappell@toyassociation.org
Second Annual Play Fair to Return to New York in November 2017
Public Play Expo to Double in Size at Javits Center
NEW YORK, NY | June 13, 2016 – The second annual Play Fair, a public celebration of play and entertainment for all ages, will nearly double in size at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center when it returns to New York City on November 4-5, 2017. A joint venture between the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and LeftField Media, Play Fair offers families and media the opportunity to enjoy interactive play experiences with new toys, games and popular characters, as well as purchase new and exclusive products.
Halls 1A and 1B of the Javits Center will provide Play Fair 2017 with 150,000 square feet of contiguous space for brands to unveil new toy lines and encourage hands-on activities among thousands of play enthusiasts, and 10 dedicated panel rooms will allow for increased and more varied programming and events.
“Play Fair’s massive exhibition area will accommodate returning brands with increased presences and welcome new first-time exhibitors, and our dates will now position Play Fair at the heart of the pre-holiday season,” said Greg Topalian, president of LeftField Media. “Planning is already underway to expand character photo ops, develop an elaborate art and crafting space, build a children’s book and author pavilion, expand our feature stages and create a hands-on video game experience.”
In addition to Play Fair’s move to the pre-holiday shopping season, the event will grow to add a third day.
Play Fair’s Saturday and Sunday will remain a public experience for families and fans, and 2017 will also see the launch of a Friday night session open exclusively to media and the toy industry. Together, these changes will solidify Play Fair as the definitive destination for New York families looking for what’s fun, new, and hot as well as a platform for brands to connect with influential, global media at the center of their most critical buying season.
“The first Play Fair had an exceptional turnout, and there was a demand from sponsors and the public to go bigger for 2017,” said Marian Bossard, TIA’s SVP of global market events. “Play Fair is a celebration of the benefits, magic and joy of play, and we look forward to a very magical 2017!”
Play Fair was launched in February 2016 by TIA and LeftField Media and caters to the public’s desire for play experiences with toys and products, some of which have not yet come to market. Capacity crowds of more than 20,000 parents, children and toy fans braved cold temperatures to attend Play Fair’s inaugural two-day show at the Javits Center’s North Hall. The first Play Fair offered a full schedule of exclusive activities that allowed attendees to create lasting memories, including live appearances by television and internet stars, photo opportunities with beloved characters, author readings, larger-than-life props, first looks at exciting new toys, concerts, and screenings. Play Fair 2016 featured beloved family brands such as Nickelodeon, LEGO, Hasbro, Mattel, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Pictures and Crayola, among others.
For more information about the event, visit www.playfairny.com and follow Play Fair on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Toy Industry Association (TIA) www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org
Founded in 1916, the Toy Industry Association™, Inc. (TIA) is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. Over the past 100 years, TIA has led the health and growth of the toy industry, and today its 900+ members account for an estimated 90% of the annual $22 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Association serves as the industry’s voice on the cognitive, social, emotional and creative benefits of play, and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.
About LeftField Media, LLC
LeftField Media, LLC is an events company focused on developing face-to-face events in a range of communities rooted in contemporary culture and shared passion. LeftField Media was formed in partnership in 2014 by Greg Topalian (President, LeftField Media), Britton Jones (President & CEO of Business Journals, Inc.), Mac Brighton (Chairman & COO of Business Journals Inc.), and Sharon Enright (Executive Vice President of Business Journals Inc.). While LeftField Media is a new company, its founders have over 100 years of combined experience in media and event production. With a keen sense of the ever-evolving needs of the industry as well as the new opportunities created by change, LeftField Media takes a clean slate approach to the business. Innovation and launching new events has the been the cornerstone of the notable success of the Business Journal Fashion Group as it has been through Greg Topalian’s storied career as former Senior Vice President at Reed Exhibitions and founder of New York Comic Con. LeftField Media is headquartered in historic South Norwalk, CT. Visit www.leftfieldmedia.com to learn more.
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