Submissions Open for Canadian Toy Association’s “Hot Toys for the Holidays” Event

October 10, 2017 | Toy Association members with operations in Canada are invited to participate in the Canadian Toy Association’s (CTA) 15th annual “Hot Toys for the Holidays” media event. Taking place November 15 at the Ontario Science Center in Toronto, Ontario, the event will showcase the toy industry’s top toys and games for the holiday season in front of national TV, print, and radio media.

CTA is asking companies to submit their projected best-sellers for the 2017 holiday season to be featured at the signature showcase, where groups of children will be in attendance to play with the toys and discuss their favorite picks with the media. Toys and games will also be featured on CTA’s Hot Toys webpage and highlighted in media coverage with CTA spokespeople.

Members of CTA and The Toy Association are invited to submit up to four items for inclusion in this year’s event. Each item submitted must meet the following criteria:

  • The product is less than two years old, and is projected to be a best seller for Holiday 2017
  • The product encourages one or more of the six Genius of Play developmental categories (physical, emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and communication)
  • The product is available in Canada on or before November 15, 2017
  • The product has not been previously submitted to a Hot Toys event

Members are encouraged to review the submissions document carefully before submitting toys. CTA has extended the deadline for written and photo submissions to October 13. Toy display samples are to be delivered to CTA headquarters the week of October 30.

In addition, for every hot toy submitted, a minimum donation of $500 in retail value of new toys must be shipped to CTA’s official charity, Toys for the North warehouse. Toys for the North bring toys and games to kids living in remote northern communities. The deadline for toy donations to the Toys of the North warehouse is also the week of October 30 to November 3.

All members of CTA and The Toy Association that are in good standing are invited to participate in the event. Toy submissions and questions regarding these opportunities may be directed to CTA’s Danielle Russell.