Toy Association Joins Port of LA Executives to Raise Awareness of Shipping Crisis

September 21, 2021 | Ed Desmond, executive vice president of external affairs at The Toy Association, joined Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka’s virtual press conference last week to provide perspective from the toy industry on the impact of persisting supply chain issues at U.S. ports. Watch the full press conference here.

During the virtual event, Desmond discussed the negative impact these logistical challenges are having on the 85 percent of toys sold in the U.S. that are manufactured in Asia and rely heavily on the nation’s largest ports (particularly, on the West Coast in LA and Long Beach). He then spoke directly to consumers to #ShopEarly4Toys.

"Get out and buy toys now,” said Desmond. "Right now, toy manufacturers are doing everything in their power to ensure a good supply in stores for the holidays, but we just don’t know what’s going to happen down the road as we get closer to Christmas.”

This is among the latest advocacy efforts by The Toy Association to raise public awareness of the impact the global supply chain crisis is having on the toy industry and the upcoming holiday shopping season. The press conference brought the topic to the forefront in the media. Coast-to-coast coverage from outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, KTLA, Good Morning America, and the New York Post further underscored the toll these disruptions have on toymakers and consumers hoping to secure coveted holiday gifts.

For toy manufacturers interested in gaining more insights on the situation at the Port of LA, The Toy Association will host a member-exclusive webinar on September 30 that will provide new updates and the opportunity to speak directly to Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka. Registration for the webinar is now open.