Newsroom

 

Deadline Approaching: Apply for Creative Factor Inventor Day 2024 by December 29

Calling all toy inventors, designers, and artists: The Toy Association™ is accepting applications for its pitch event during the Creative Factor Inventor Day program through Friday, December 29.

 

NRF: Record Number of Consumers Shopped During Thanksgiving Weekend

A record 200.4 million consumers shopped between Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, surpassing last year’s record of 196.7 million, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

 

Toy Fair® Media Impressions Reach 3.25 Billion: Read the Recap Report

The Toy Association™’s Toy Fair® 2023 Media Recap is now available online. The report provides insight into Toy Fair’s top-tier media coverage, which combined with the showcase of tens of thousands of innovative toys and games, contributed to the event’s success in generating 3.22 billion impressions to date and helping build excitement for the upcoming holiday season.

 

The Toy Foundation™’s DEI Pipeline Program Introduces First Hires into the Toy Industry

Two University of Maryland student participants of The Toy Foundation™’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program secured job placements during the program’s capstone event at Toy Fair®, a five-day program that offered networking, recruitment, and educational opportunities for talented and diverse students.

 

Canadian Toy Association Inducts 2023 Hall of Fame Members

The toy community gathered last night at the Canadian Toy Association’s (CTA) Hall of Fame Event at the Mississauga Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ontario to celebrate the industry’s top leaders and trailblazers.

 

NRF Predicts Record-High Shopping Turnout During Thanksgiving Weekend

An estimated 182 million consumers are planning to shop in-store and online between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday this year, an increase of 15.7 million people compared to 2022, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

 

Creative Factor Inventor Day Returns in 2024

Following a successful Creative Factor Inventor Day at Toy Fair® 2023, where 24 selected inventors pitched their playthings to companies including Jazwares, Melissa & Doug, Spin Master, Crayola, Basic Fun!, Fat Brain Toys, and more, The Toy Association™ has announced that the event will return virtually on Monday, March 4, 2024.

 

Members Encouraged to Weigh in on Priority Issues at Toy Association’s Annual Strategy Meetings

The Toy Association™’s Global Government & Regulatory Affairs team will host its annual strategy meetings on December 12 and 13.

 

The Toy Association Experts Lead U.S. Delegation During International Toy Safety Discussions

Toy Association staff attended meetings from October 27 through November 3 that brought together consumer product safety professionals from around the world to help align global toy safety standards and identify areas for improvement.

 

UFI Names Kimberly Carcone as Vice Chair of Newly Launched North American Chapter

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, appointed Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association™, as vice chair of the newly created North American chapter of the organization.

 

The Canadian Toy Association Names 2023 Rising Star Award Winners

The Canadian Toy Association (CTA) announced the winners of its 2023 Rising Star Awards, which recognizes emerging leaders in the toy industry whose achievements reflect exceptional growth and impact manufacturing, retail, and marketing.

 

Circana: U.S. Toy Industry Sales through Q3 2023 Decline 8 Percent

U.S. toy industry sales revenue declined by 8 percent from January through September, compared to the same nine-month period in 2022, according to Circana. Unit sales were down 9 percent and average selling prices increased 1 percent during the same period.

 

Halloween Pavilion's Success at Toy Fair® Paves Way for Future Seasonal Exhibits

Following the success of the Halloween Pavilion at Toy Fair 2023, The Toy Association anticipates new collaborations and opportunities to curate seasonal showcases at future events, opening more doors for the toy community to parallel industries.

 

The Genius of Play™ Speaks to 300 Educators About Infusing Play in STEAM Education

The Genius of Play™ was featured in an Education Week webinar on October 19, titled “Joy and STEM: Igniting Creativity and Curiosity in Your Pre K-5 Classroom,” reaching an audience of more than 300 registered educators.

 

Toy Fair® 2023 Trends Briefing: Recording Now Available

The Toy Association’s Toy Trends Briefing, which first unveiled new trend insights and research to an audience of hundreds of media, buyers, and toy professionals during Toy Fair 2023 in New York City, is now available to view online.