Newsroom

 

The Toy Association™ Unveils New Branding & Tradition for the Toy Building

9/16/2025
Fresh off its grand opening in El Segundo at 101 Continental Boulevard, The Toy Association’s Toy Building is unveiling bold and playful new branding designed by industry creative Matt Nuccio of Design Edge. The visual symbols mark the start of a new chapter for the toy community’s West Coast headquarters in the expanding El Segundo Toy District.

 

LA Fall Preview® Market Weeks Off to a Strong Start

9/15/2025
The Toy Association cut the ribbon on its brand-new Toy Building last week, kicking off two weeks of dedicated marketplace activity – known as the LA Fall Preview Market Weeks (Sept. 8-19) – in El Segundo, CA.

 

Latest Trend Hunter Report Shows How Novelty is Driving Consumer Engagement

9/12/2025
Toy Association members can now access a complimentary new Trend Hunter report that highlights a movement across industries toward creating community-focused experiences. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift: Consumers are craving experiences that align with their identities and values, and they’re gravitating toward brands that help foster those experiences through inclusive, intentional, and often local communities.

 

Toy Association’s “Toy Building” Opens its Doors in El Segundo

9/8/2025
The Toy Association™ celebrated the grand opening of its new Toy Building in El Segundo today, located in the heart of LA’s rapidly growing “Toy District.” The Toy Building brings together global toy companies, mid-sized manufacturers, and emerging startups, whose showrooms will attract buyers, licensors, and key decision makers from around the world to preview toy prototypes, scout new toy trends, and hold private meetings — representing a significant milestone for the toy industry and El Segundo’s local economy and commercial real estate sector.

 

Applications Open for Creative Factor Inventor Day at Toy Fair® 2026

9/5/2025
Have a game-changing idea or the next big thing in play? Toy inventors and designers are now invited to apply for a chance to pitch their ideas to top toy and youth entertainment professionals and manufacturing partners at Toy Fair® this February. The Creative Factor Inventor Day program is now accepting submissions through Friday, October 31.

 

People of Play™ Launches Fall Fundraiser for Young Inventor Challenge®

9/1/2025
People of Play™, a division of The Toy Association™, is marking a milestone with the 20th anniversary of its Young Inventor Challenge® (YIC), a program that has introduced thousands of kids to the toy and game industry over the past two decades. To celebrate, People of Play has launched a fundraising campaign running from September 1 to 20 with a goal of raising $20,000 to help sustain the program for the next generation of inventors.

 

Prep for Fall Preview: How to Get the Most Out of Your Time in LA

8/25/2025
Alongside year-round showroom appointments with retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Five Below, Learning Express, CAMP, Marshalls/TJMaxx, and more, the global toy industry will come together for networking, philanthropy, and education during LA Fall Preview Market Weeks (Sept. 8-19) to set the stage for innovation and growth in 2026.

 

Deadline Approaching: Book Your Appointment with The Toy Association’s Trends Team in LA

8/22/2025
If your company is showcasing 2026 products in Los Angeles this fall, don’t miss your chance to meet with The Toy Association’s trends team during LA Fall Preview® Market Weeks (September 8–19). The deadline to book an appointment is August 31.

 

August 28 Session: How Exhibitors Can Stand Out at Toy Fair® 2026

8/20/2025
Toy Fair® 2026 exhibitors are encouraged to sign up for the upcoming Toy Fair Exhibitor Academy session, “Visual Merchandising Initiative & Reimagination Awards,” taking place Thursday, August 28 at 2 p.m. (Eastern).

 

Agenda Announced for Licensing Summit During Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview®

8/18/2025
The full agenda is now available for “The Future of Licensing Executive Summit,” taking place Wednesday, September 10 at The Toy Building during The Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview. Sessions will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception from 5 to 7 p.m.

 

Final Call for Speakers: Toy Fair® University Applications Due August 22

8/18/2025
Industry thought leaders have until this Friday, August 22 to submit presentation applications for Toy Fair® University, taking place throughout Toy Fair from February 14 to 17, 2026 at the Javits Center in New York City.

 

Don’t Miss Toy Association’s Member Forum During LA Fall Preview®

8/14/2025
The Toy Association™ will host a Member Forum at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9 at the Toy Building (101 Continental Boulevard) during the LA Fall Preview®.

 

New Data Shows Sharp Decline in Toy Imports Amid Tariff Policy

8/12/2025
New data from economic research firm John Dunham & Associates reveals an accelerating decline in U.S. toy imports since April 2025, driven by the impact of tariffs on the industry’s supply chain. Prepared for The Toy Association™, these findings are being used in the Association’s ongoing media outreach and advocacy in Washington to share the economic impact of tariff policies on the toy industry.

 

Circana Reports First Half 2025 U.S. & Global Toy Industry Performance

8/11/2025
From January through June 2025, U.S. toy industry dollar sales increased 6 percent, units sold were up 3 percent, and average selling price (ASP) grew by 3 percent, compared to the same 6-month period in 2024, according to Circana. ASP was previously flat for three consecutive years.

 

Toy Fair® 2026 Invites Toy Brands to Shine on a Global Stage

8/8/2025
Potential exhibitors can apply to secure booth space, private meeting suite space, and lock in promotional opportunities for the show, taking place February 14 to 17 at the Javits Center in New York City.