Industry Reunites in Dallas & Looks Ahead to Toy Fair

September 27, 2022 | Following the close of The Toy Association’s successful three-day 2023 Preview & 2022 Holiday Market last week, which reunited hundreds of play professionals in Dallas, all eyes are now turned to 2023 in anticipation of the return of Toy Fair, taking place September 30 to October 3 in New York City.

“Throughout last week’s show, you could feel the energy and excitement of being back together in person to do business, network, and, of course, celebrate the innovation happening across our industry,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “Now just imagine what kind of impact that will have next fall in the media and financial capital of the world. And then couple that with the dozens of daily educational and business-building events and programming that address every toy and play topic imaginable.”

In addition to showcasing their toys to buyers from the nation’s top toy retailers, international outlets, and specialty stores (including Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby, TJX Inc., Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom’s, IT’SUGAR, and hundreds more), Dallas exhibitors also had the opportunity to give media, including CBS11 and Fox4, a first look at the toys that could top wish lists for this and next holiday season and report on the category winners of The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year Awards.

Buyers also expressed enthusiasm throughout the Preview & Holiday Market and for how Toy Fair’s new fall timeframe will better serve their needs, especially in regard to shifting buying cycles and accelerated delivery timelines.

“We invite the entire play community to ‘seize the play’ next fall and save the dates for Toy Fair 2023,” added Carcone. “Our Preview & Holiday Market served the needs of the toy community this year, and we can’t wait to bring everyone back together in New York for the industry’s largest and most comprehensive play-focused experience yet.”

The application period for returning Toy Fair exhibitors runs now through this Friday, September 30 and applies specifically to companies who exhibited in 2020 or were contracted to exhibit at the 2022 show. General exhibit sales will open in October. Companies should contact their account executive, Simon Yung (A–G), Stacy Liebensohn (H–P), or Michael Lynch (Q–Z), for more information.