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From The Editor

Breaking News: Toy Association Announces Dates and Locations for Iconic Show

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The Press Release:
In response to a comprehensive evaluation of marketplace shifts and thoughtful consideration of the many constituents served, The Toy Association® Board of Directors announced today that the next Toy Fair® (aka the North American International Toy Fair) will take place in the first quarter of 2025, with March 1 to March 4 secured with the Javits Center in New York City. Following the 2025 event, Toy Fair will move to January at the award-winning New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The confirmed dates are: January 17-20, 2026; January 9-12, 2027; and January 15-18, 2028. The Toy Association and its board conducted an extensive national search to determine these dates and locations as the best available fit for the toy community in the upcoming years.

“Prior to the pandemic, we heard repeated calls that changing manufacturing lead times and retailer buying patterns demanded a shift of the iconic tradeshow’s timing from February into an earlier fall timeline. These factors and similar research findings were accelerated by the pandemic and as a board we were responsive,” said Aaron Muderick, chairman of The Toy Association and founder of Crazy Aaron’s. “Now, behaviors and inputs have returned to more traditional views that Toy Fair’s key audiences find the most value in a North American trade event taking place in the first quarter of the year, ideally mid-January. We have again listened and responded by crafting an optimal pattern based on the needs of those we serve.”
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From The Editor

Today: Toy Fair Returns @ Jacob Javits Center

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It’s been more than three years since the banner emblazoned with the words “Toy Fair” have hung in the Javits Center and welcomed toy industry representatives along with select press and influencers and I am happy to report that it has returned and begins today. For four days this will be the place to learn what is coming out from some of the most amazing toy companies that are in business and since this is a trade show, the general public will not be able to participate. The PiercingMetal website has been attending Toy Fair since 2011 and then expanded the level of coverage over to “The Chronicles of Piercing Ken” for good measure. These days I like to use the voice of the Ken Pierce Media site when it comes to happenings that are going to be covered by each of the sides of our creative coin. To be honest I am not sure what changes will be in place for the events return but I am excited to be doing my 11th one. The pandemic prevented this from happening in 2021 and 2022 and while this used to take place in February, its been moved to September and well…here we are.

As you read this I am already on my way to the Javits. It’s a loaded few days with appointments and catching up with our long-standing toy reps and like I said…excited to return. All I can promise is lots of photos, editorial and some videos for all of the social media feeds and the websites. You’re going to want to follow a bunch of things on both PiercingMetal’s and Piercing Ken’s social media platforms to keep up. It’s go time.

Official: http://www.toyfairny.com

From The Editor

The Toy Association & Adventure Media and Events Partner To Create “Play Date” Showcase

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The Press Release:
The Toy Association, the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages, and Adventure Media & Events, publisher of industry-leading media outlets the Toy Book and the Toy Insider, announced today a partnership to deliver a one-of-a-kind “play date” in March 2023 that will give media, investors, and the influencer community direct access to the toy companies, brands, and products that will be hot throughout the year, including spring and summer launches and a first look at the hottest toys for the coming holiday season.

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“As the producer of Toy Fair – the toy industry’s most iconic and comprehensive play-focused experience for more than a century – The Toy Association is continuing its long-held tradition of unveiling the latest trends and hottest products in Q1, even as Toy Fair shifts from its former February dates to a new fall time frame,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “We are happy to partner with Adventure Media & Events to give toy brands the opportunity to spotlight their key drivers for holiday, and to provide media and trend-spotters with a first-look at the products that will be driving consumer toy purchases through holiday 2023.”
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From The Editor

This Just In: Toy Fair New York Set to Take Place September 30 to October 3, 2023

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The Press Release:
The Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York, the largest toy, play, and youth entertainment marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, has announced that the 118th edition of the show will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from September 30 to October 3, 2023 in New York City.

As previously announced, The Toy Association’s Board of Directors, comprised of executives from companies of all sizes, made the decision to shift the tradeshow’s timing to fall from February based on a number of factors, many of which were accelerated by the pandemic. These factors include, but are not limited to, extended lead-times in production supply chain and sourcing and evolved retailer purchasing cycles. The findings were gleaned from multiple member surveys and research work done by consulting firm mdg as part of a multi-year long process to “reimagine” the future of Toy Fair.
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From The Editor

The Toy Association Cancels Toy Fair 2022

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The Press Release:
The Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York, the largest toy, play, and youth entertainment marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, has announced the cancellation of Toy Fair New York, originally set to take place, February 19 to 22, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City.

“Key to our efforts these past two weeks has been the balance of some 700 remaining committed toy manufacturers saying they need and want Toy Fair 2022 to build their businesses, weighing that against those departing and seriously on the fence, and needing to provide a sufficient quantity and quality across the retail buying community necessary to deliver a positive experience,” said Steve Pasierb, President & CEO of The Toy Association. “As that balance has shifted, we are obligated to make the best decision in everyone’s interest no matter how heartbreaking for so many and potentially damaging some business’ future prospects. The wide range of other events that occur across New York City during Toy Fair week are now also impacted.”

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