“Toy Fair Tools”: A Must-Open Email with Critical Toy Fair Information

October 22, 2018 | The countdown is officially on for the 116^th North American International Toy Fair, taking place Saturday, February 16, to Tuesday, February 19 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. To help exhibiting companies find everything they need to know about the upcoming show, The Toy Association has launched a more streamlined version of the Toy Fair Tools newsletter. Toy Fair exhibitors will receive the first weekly Toy Fair Tools via email this week.

“Toy Fair Tools is filled with useful, actionable, and timely information designed to help all exhibitors have a seamless pre- and at-show experience,” said Marian Bossard, The Toy Association’s executive vice president of global market events. “With everything from cost saving tips to deadlines to ways exhibitors can increase their exposure before and during the show, Toy Fair Tools will answer their questions before they are even asked.”

Nearly 30,000 play professionals are expected to attend this year’s show to scope out the newest toys, games, and youth entertainment products for 2019; engage in deal-making; network with peers; and more. Since attendee registration opened earlier this month, The Toy Association is seeing increased visitors across all categories; including buyers, trade guests, licensing professionals, and others who come to Toy Fair.

Global retail companies from 24 countries have registered to send delegates to Toy Fair New York. Retailers that have already signed on include: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Apple Inc., Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy Canada, BJ's Wholesale, Burlington Stores, Buy Buy Baby, Cinemark, Crate & Barrel, CVS Health, Dave & Busters, GameStop/EB Games, Hobby Lobby, Hot Topic, Macy's, Inc., Michaels Stores, Party City, Sharper Image, Six Flags Entertainment, TJX Inc., Toys“R”Us – Canada, Wayfair, and Zulily, among others.

“With a diverse array of large and small retailers looking to grab market share of toy sales lost by the closure of traditional toy outlets, we are expecting Toy Fair New York to be one of the most dynamic and energetic shows in recent history,” Bossard said.

Buyers will be able to view products from big-name and veteran toy brands throughout the Javits Center; those who visit the Launch Pad area (Hall E) will spot innovative toys from first-time exhibitors. In total, about 1,000 exhibitors from 30 countries will showcase hundreds of thousands of new playthings at Toy Fair, including arts & crafts, board games and puzzles, dolls and plush, action figures, infant and toddler toys, tech toys, educational toys, outdoor playthings, and more.

Toy Fair Tools will be emailed to exhibiting companies weekly from now through Toy Fair. For complete details on registering, educational seminars, hotel reservations, or to learn more about Toy Fair New York, visit www.ToyFairNY.com.