North American International Toy Fair

Last updated

North American International Toy Fair
TIA 2006ToyFair Logo s.png
Toy Fair logo used in 2006
StatusActive
GenreToys
Venue Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Location(s)New York City, New York
CountryUnited States
InauguratedFebruary 1903
Attendance30,000 in 2013
Organized by The Toy Association
Website toyfairny.com

The North American International Toy Fair (formerly the American International Toy Fair and also known as Toy Fair New York) is an annual toy industry trade show held in mid-February in New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and at toy showrooms around the city. The event is open to the toy trade only – toy industry professionals, retailers, and press representatives. It is produced by The Toy Association. [1] Toy Fair New York's promoters describe it as the largest toy trade show in the Western hemisphere.

Contents

History

Toy Fair began in February 1903. The first event featured less than ten toy companies with Lionel trains among the featured products. [2] As the event expanded, more space was needed which led to toy companies occupying 200 Fifth Avenue, a former hotel site, in 1910. By 1925, it was renamed the International Toy Center. [3]

The 117th annual Toy Fair, held February 22–25, 2020 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, attracted tens of thousands of play innovators (manufacturers, distributors, importers, sales agents, inventors, entrepreneurs, licensors, retail buyers) to preview toys and games across 445,817 net square feet of exhibit space. Nearly 1,000 members of the press attended to report on the top toy trends. Overall, approximately 100 countries were represented at the show. [4]

The 2021 Toy Fair was cancelled to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the show planned to return in 2022, the event was cancelled due to COVID-19 for a second year in a row in January 2022, after multiple major exhibitors announced that they would not participate due to concerns over the Omicron variant. The Toy Association CEO Steve Pasierb stated that they were obligated to "make the best decision in everyone's interest no matter how heartbreaking for so many and potentially damaging some business’ future prospects." [5]

Venues

200 Fifth Avenue TIA 2006ToyFair Toy center dscn6859.jpg
200 Fifth Avenue

The Javits Center exhibits feature demonstrations and displays in a mostly open trade show setting. Historically, toy district showrooms near the Flatiron building also allowed buyers to consult with sales representatives from the major toy manufacturers in a quieter setting. Each building (they were interconnected by upper story walkways) contained relatively small showrooms from many manufacturers. Products featured included current lines as well as samples of products not yet introduced, or products under development. Many manufacturers staged receptions or events prior to the fair itself for invited buyers, media representatives, or dignitaries.

Attendance

Trolls (toy) decorated bus TIA 2006ToyFair Decorated Bus dscn6883.jpg
Trolls (toy) decorated bus

Registration is open to the trade only. Admission for buyers is free, but proof of participation in the toy industry is required. Admission for toy manufacturer employees and media is not free, and credentials are required. Attendees must be aged 18 years or older.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E3</span> American video game industry event (1995–2021)

E3 was an annual trade event for the video game industry organized and presented by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). It was held principally in Los Angeles from 1995 to 2019, with its final iteration held virtually in 2021. The event hosted developers, publishers, hardware manufacturers, and other industry professionals who used the occasion to introduce and advertise upcoming games, hardware, and merchandise to the press. During its existence, E3 was the world's largest and most prestigious annual gaming expo.

Tokyo Game Show, commonly known as TGS, is a video game trade fair and convention held annually in September in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. The main focus of the show is on Japanese games, but some international video game developers use it to showcase upcoming releases/related hardware. The duration of the event is four days. The first two days of Tokyo Game Show are open only to industry attendees (business) and the general public can attend during the final two days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trade show</span> Exhibition for companies of a specific industry to present their new products

A trade show, also known as trade fair, trade exhibition, or trade exposition, is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services, meet with industry partners and customers, study activities of competitors, and examine recent market trends and opportunities.

The NAMM Show is an annual trade show in the United States organized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), which describes it as "the industry’s largest stage, uniting the global music, sound and entertainment technology communities". It is typically held in January at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javits Center</span> Convention center in Manhattan, New York

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, commonly known as the Javits Center, is a large convention center on Eleventh Avenue between 34th Street and 38th Street in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City. It was designed by architect James Ingo Freed of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. The space frame structure was constructed from 1979 to 1986 and was named to honor Jacob Javits, the United States Senator for New York. When the Javits Center opened, it replaced the New York Coliseum at Columbus Circle as the city's major convention facility; the Coliseum was subsequently demolished and replaced by Time Warner Center.

BookExpo America was an annual book trade fair in the United States. BEA is almost always held in a major city over four days in late May and/or early June. Nearly all significant book publishers in the United States, and many from abroad, have booths and exhibits at BEA, and use the fair as an opportunity to showcase upcoming titles, sell current books, socialize with colleagues from other publishing houses, and sell and buy subsidiary rights and international rights. Authors, librarians, and buyers for book retailers also attend the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Market Center</span> Wholesale trade center

Dallas Market Center is a 5 million square foot wholesale trade center in Dallas, Texas, United States, located at 2200 Stemmons Freeway, housing showrooms which sells consumer products including gifts, lighting, home décor, apparel, fashion accessories, shoes, tabletop/housewares, gourmet, floral, and holiday products. The marketplace is closed to the public but open to certified retail buyers and interior designers, manufacturers, and industry professionals. Large-scale market events are held at the center throughout the year. Dallas Market Center is owned by Dallas-based Crow Holdings and managed by Market Center Management Company (MCMC), a Crow Holdings subsidiary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater Columbus Convention Center</span> Convention center in Columbus, Ohio

The Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) is a convention center located in Downtown Columbus, Ohio, United States, along the east side of North High Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Apple Comic Con</span> New York City comics & pop culture convention

The Big Apple Comic Con is a New York City comic book convention, the longest-running comic book/speculative fiction/pop culture convention in New York City. It was started by retailer Michael "Mike Carbo" Carbonaro in March 1996 in the basement of the St. Paul the Apostle Church. During its heyday from 2001 to 2008, the Big Apple Comic Con often featured multiple shows per year, with a large three-day "national" convention held in November, usually held at the Penn Plaza Pavilion. The show was owned by Wizard Entertainment from 2009 to 2013, but was reacquired by Carbonaro in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milan Furniture Fair</span> Furniture fair held annually in Milan

The Milan Furniture Fair is a furniture fair held annually in Milan. It is the largest trade fair of its kind in the world. The exhibition showcases the latest in furniture and design from countries around the world. It is considered a leading venue for the display of new products by designers of furniture, lighting and other home furnishings. The show, also known as "Salone", "Milano Salone" and "Milan Design Week", is held every year, usually in April, in the FieraMilano complex in the Milan metropolitan area town of Rho. Besides the Salone, in April every odd year Euroluce exhibition takes place and every even year EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition are held along the Milan Furniture Fair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association of Equipment Manufacturers</span>

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is a North American trade association representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers. AEM represents more than 1,000 companies with more than 200 product lines in agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. AEM is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NECA Show</span>

As the #1 event for electrical professionals, the NECA annual convention and trade show, National Electrical Contractors Association draws attendees and exhibitors involved in all aspects of the electrical construction and integrated building systems industries. The NECA Show is open to the entire industry, and it is held in conjunction with the NECA Convention, which is primarily for NECA member firms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toy Center</span> Buildings in Manhattan, New York

The Toy Center, also known as the International Toy Center, is a complex of buildings in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York City, that for many years was a hub for toy manufacturers and distributors in the United States. It includes two buildings located between 23rd Street and 25th Street across from Madison Square, where Fifth Avenue and Broadway cross. The American International Toy Fair, the industry's major annual trade show, is held annually in February at both the Toy Center and the Javits Center on 34th Street. The building also serves as the corporate headquarters of luxury retailer Tiffany & Co.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Home + Housewares Show</span>

The Inspired Home Show, formerly known as the International Home + Housewares Show, is an annual housewares show staged at McCormick Place in Chicago and organized by the International Housewares Association. In 2008, the Show covered 785,000 net square feet (72,900 m2) of exhibit space. It is one of top 20 largest trade shows in the U.S. and in the top 10 in Chicago.

The HKTDC Trade Fairs are a series of international trade fairs held annually and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computex</span> Taiwanese annual computer technology trade fair

COMPUTEX Taipei, or Taipei International Information Technology Show, is a computer expo held annually in Taipei, Taiwan. Since the early 2000s, it is one of the largest computer and technology trade shows in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BookCon</span> Fan convention (2014–19)

BookCon was an annual fan convention established in 2014 in New York City. Taking the name format from other fan conventions such as Comic-Con, BookCon was established to combine pop culture and the book industry. Many authors, celebrities and publishing professionals would attend BookCon. In a statement made on December 1, 2020, it was announced that due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic the convention was canceled for 2021 and would be reworked for the future. As of August 2023, there have been no updates as to whether the convention will return.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kosherfest</span>

Kosherfest was an annual, two-day trade fair for the kosher-certified food industry held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. Established in 1989, it included an exhibition hall, lectures, cooking demonstrations, a culinary competition between celebrity chefs, and new product awards. Kosherfest was considered a showcase for food trends and innovations in the kosher-certified food industry. The event was closed to the public, but admitted manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, buyers, caterers, retail stores, and media personnel, including photographers and food bloggers. Kosherfest was co-produced by Lubicom Marketing and Consulting and Diversified Communications. After its 2022 fair, Kosherfest was discontinued.

ICv2 is an online trade magazine that covers geek culture for retailers. ICv2's main areas of focus are comic books, anime, gaming, and show business products. The site offers news, reviews, analysis, and sales information for retailers and librarians. ICv2 holds an annual trade conference in conjunction with the New York Comic Con; the company also periodically publishes ICv2 Retailer Guides in hard copy format.

Anime NYC is an annual three-day anime convention held during August at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

References

  1. Toy Industry Association Archived February 9, 2006, at the Wayback Machine main site
  2. Moore, Angela It's Not All Child's Play at Toy Fair Los Angeles Times (February 10, 2003). Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  3. Sanderson, Peter TOY FAIR 2004 DAY ONE: BATMAN, HARRY POTTER & JUSTICE LEAGUE IGN (February 14, 2004). Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  4. Association, The Toy. "Sold-Out Toy Fair NY Showcases Toy Industry's Outstanding Creativity & Innovation". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  5. Hayes, Dade (January 12, 2022). "Toy Fair Canceled In NYC For Second Straight Year Due To Covid Concerns". Deadline. Retrieved January 12, 2022.