Toy Fair 2017 Expected to Draw Largest Crowd in Years, Significant International Interest

November 1, 2016 | Registration for the 114^th North American International Toy Fair has been open less than two weeks and already attendees from around the world have shown robust interest in coming to the show, which is taking place Saturday, February 18 to Tuesday, February 21 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

As of Friday, October 28^th, nearly 2,500 industry professionals, an increase of 15% year-over-year, have enlisted for Toy Fair since registration opened on October 19^th. Toy Fair participants so far include buyers coming from nearly every state and 39 countries, an increase of 6% over last year at this time. As well, trade guests registering for the show increased more than 50% year-over-year.

International interest in the marketplace continues to grow. Excluding the U.S. and Canada, so far the five countries with the most registered attendees are: Mexico, the U.K., Australia, Hong Kong, and Germany.

“We anticipate the most dynamic Toy Fair we’ve seen in years,” said Marian Bossard, senior vice president of global market events at the Toy Industry Association (TIA), the trade group that produces the show. "The early registration numbers are an encouraging sign that Toy Fair continues to be a productive and not-to-miss event for buyers, licensors, trend spotters, and other play lovers.”

In all, approximately 30,000 play professionals will gather at Toy Fair to see new and innovative toys and games for 2017. That includes both startups and well-known brands showcasing hundreds of thousands of new and innovative playthings from tech toys, to arts & crafts, board games and puzzles, dolls, plush, action figures, educational toys, and tons more.  

But that’s not all that happens at Toy Fair. TIA will put on an impressive lineup of educational seminars, demonstrations, and panel discussions designed to help toy companies, retail buyers, licensors, distributors and others gain the information they need to grow their businesses and build their networks. Information about these sessions will be available at ToyFairNY.com in the coming weeks.

“Toy Fair exhibit space is almost sold out! Last year boasted 415,000 net square feet of exhibit space and this year we expect to reach a whopping 432,000 net square feet,” added Bossard. “The world is coming to New York to see the best and most creative toys and games on earth and this year’s event will not disappoint!”

Toy Fair will take place Saturday, February 18 through Tuesday, February 21, 2017. For information about registration, exhibiting companies, special events, educational opportunities, housing, and more, visit www.ToyFairNY.com.