Top 5 Can’t-Miss Opportunities at Toy Fair 2023

October 18, 2022 | Following a successful return to live events at The Toy Association’s 2023 Preview & 2022 Holiday market last month, the global play community is already making plans for the toy industry’s most influential event: Toy Fair 2023. Here’s a roundup of the top five elements of the reimagined event that all play professionals can leverage:

A New Fall Timeline
Taking place at the Javits Center in New York City from September 30 to October 3, 2023, Toy Fair’s timing reflects the industry’s new realities and opportunities, aligning with today’s shifting buying cycles and accelerated delivery timelines. With general exhibit sales now open, hundreds of manufacturers are making their exhibit commitments early — including Basic Fun!, Crayola, Jazwares, LEGO, Melissa & Doug, Moose Toys, PlayMonster, Spin Master, Ravensburger, and more — to take advantage of the show’s new timeframe and showcase both their priority 2023 holiday items and preview 2024 product. 

The Global Play Community Under One Roof
Toy Fair is once again poised to serve as a worldwide showcase of what’s happening in the industry today as well as the ultimate destination to build connections, meet with strategic partners, and build business. The show will welcome toy companies of all sizes and the top 25 toy retailers in the nation, in addition to buyers from key markets across the globe. Play professionals from more than 100 countries and thousands of members of the press will walk nearly eight football fields’ worth of top products to discover what’s trending.

Robust Educational Programming
The return of Toy Fair also brings back the industry’s top educational programming, and this year, the event will host its most comprehensive lineup yet: Toy Fair University. Taking place throughout all four days of the show, the new initiative is designed to bring together the strongest thought leadership in the global toy and play industry. The Toy Fair team is now accepting applications from professionals who would like to transform their research, ideas, case studies, and best practices into enriching sessions for show attendees. 

A More Welcoming Experience
As attendees walk through the aisles to discover the latest toys, games, edutainment, and entertainment-driven experiences, they will be welcomed with a more inviting floor plan as part of Toy Fair’s reimagined experience. The show’s new visual merchandising initiative will require exhibitors to make product visible in at least 20% of their aisle-facing exhibit space.

Toy Fair Reimagined
For exhibitors, the visual merchandising initiative encourages more buyer interactions and product engagement, and will help attract media attention as attendees hunt for the hottest toy of the holiday season. Exhibitors will be rewarded with their stand-out displays as part of Toy Fair’s first-ever exhibit design competition, the Reimagination Awards. Booths will be judged by a panel of media, trade show experts, and toy professionals based on creativity, effectiveness, presentation, and overall structure.

Toy Fair University applications are due December 16. Accepted presenters will be notified by February 28, 2023.

To secure booth space at Toy Fair, companies may contact their account executive: Simon Yung (A–G); Stacy Liebensohn (H–P); or Michael Lynch (Q–Z).

Toy Fair will take place September 30 to October 3 in New York City. Visit ToyFairNY.com to learn more.