FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First-Ever “Toy Fair Everywhere” Virtual Market Week to Kick Off July 13
Toy Fair Everywhere Market Weeks will be held July 13-19, August 17-23, and September 14-20
NEW YORK, NY | July 7, 2020 – The first-ever Toy Fair Everywhere virtual market week, hosted by The Toy Association, will kick off next Monday, July 13. Nearly 150 exhibiting companies have signed on to showcase their hottest toys and games to global buyers and media vying to see what will be trending in Q4. Created in partnership with software provider Balluun, Toy Fair Everywhere aims to connect the worldwide toy community at a time when business travel and in-person meetings and events are limited.
In preparation for next week’s kickoff, exhibiting companies have already begun to leverage the online platform to book meetings, upload product catalogs to highlight across their unlimited “booth” space, and become familiarized with the platform’s real-time analytics to tailor their buyer outreach. Current exhibitors and sponsors include Aurora World; Boogie Board; Buzzy, Inc.; Design Masters; Faber-Castell USA/Creativity for Kids; Goliath; HABA USA; Klutz; The LEGO Group; Melissa and Doug; Safari Ltd.; Schylling; TOMY; Toysmith; TY; Ukidz LLC; Viking Toys; and more.
“While nothing can replace our in-person meetings and events like Toy Fair New York and Toy Fair Dallas, the pre-show success and interest in Toy Fair Everywhere is a strong indicator that these virtual events are serving a critical need to our industry at this time,” said Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “As long as children are on the lookout for the best toys and games to top their holiday wish lists, Toy Fair Everywhere will do its part to serve as the meeting grounds to keep stores stocked and business forging ahead.”
The toy community is already abuzz about Toy Fair Everywhere, with The Toy Association recently announcing a new partnership to host the inaugural Toy Fair Everywhere Influencer Choice List powered by Clamour, which will spotlight family content creators’ picks for the hottest toys shown by exhibitors. Exhibitors’ products have also been featured in recent TV segments nationwide, including airings in Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, and Phoenix. Toys and games from Toy Fair Everywhere exhibiting companies will also be featured in The Toy Association’s mid-year trend update during the August market week. Companies that want to have their products considered should complete this form by July 17 for consideration.
Additional Toy Fair Everywhere events and happenings are expected to be announced in the coming days. For more information and to register to attend, visit ToyFairEverywhere.info.
About The Toy Association www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org / www.playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $97.2 billion, and its 1,000+ members drive the annual $27 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry’s voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.
As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair New York and Toy Fair Dallas; advocates on behalf of members around the world; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America’s widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard.