Leveling the Playing Field at Toy Fair®: Growth Opportunities for All

May 16, 2023 | With 98 percent of exhibit space sold and globally renowned retailers registered, Toy Fair®, taking place September 30 to October 3 in New York City, will offer new exposure and business opportunities for all – from first-time exhibitors and up-and-coming international companies looking to enter the U.S. market, to buyers looking to get facetime with once walled-off companies.

“Part of the show’s reimagination is built on leveling the playing field for all participants, from mass to specialty and everyone in between,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “This year, Toy Fair will offer more tools, resources, and opportunities than ever to help companies of all types tackle the evolving retail landscape, connect exhibitors with buyers and press, and fuel the collective success of the overall play community.”

The show’s new Visual Merchandising Initiative, which requires exhibitors to make product visible in at least 20 percent of their booth space, is one of the biggest ways Toy Fair is helping to encourage more engagement. For exhibitors, it invites them to reimagine how they showcase their product, and for businesses looking to connect with them, it breaks down barriers. Exhibitors with the most playful, welcoming, and attractive booths will also be up for one of Toy Fair’s inaugural Reimagination Awards – creating another opportunity for them to receive recognition and publicity at the show.

Attendees can further leverage Toy Fair by taking advantage of the dedicated neighborhoods for product discovery and educational programming throughout the four-day event, both of which are designed to foster new connections and resources that best suit their business needs.

Toy Fair University’s robust lineup of educational sessions will cover a variety of topics, from manufacturing and packaging to retail, social media & influencers, technology, safety, intellectual property, and more to support different business interests and offer new insights.

Additionally, Toy Fair’s Launch Pad area will return, providing buyers and others a go-to space to scout unique, never-before-seen products from young and new-to-market companies. New neighborhoods including Pet PLAYce (featuring pet products) and the Hot for Holiday showcase, as well as pavilions, such as Spielwarenmesse’s World of Toys and one dedicated to Halloween products, will also supply buyers and press with an easy roadmap to scout relevant, tailored product.

“Toy Fair’s legacy is built on its 100+ year history of helping forge valuable business and networking connections, while also serving as a hub for the exchange of ideas, trends, and knowledge for every industry stakeholder,” said Carcone.

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