With more than 85% of exhibition space booked and new elements added to the mix alongside traditional recognised parts, organisers of Spielwarenmesse have said they are “very positive and looking ahead to the event”.
The team behind the Nuremberg event, due to take place over the first five days of February in 2023 and finally returning after pandemic problems in recent years, unveiled some of next year’s new elements at a launch in London’s West End on Wednesday November 16.
Executive board member Florian Hess and communications director Scarlett Wisotzki outlined some of the new elements as well as highlighting the importance of the show and the benefits of attending.
As Hess said: “On a product level, it’s important to experience the produce with senses, to touch and feel. And nothing beats a live meeting.” The show gives the potential to see new toys ad product up close and personal and connect on an emotional level.
“On a product level, it’s important to experience the produce with senses, to touch and feel. And nothing beats a live meeting.”
Executive board member Florian Hess
Hess added: More than 85% (of exhibition space) is booked compared to pre-pandemic. It’s very reassuring and a very good sign.” He further noted that industry heavyweights would all be in the room together and the pandemic-enforced break meant they were looking at their stands and presenting things in a different way, giving a renewed boost to the returning event for which tickets went on sale this week. “It’s really refreshing for us,” he said.
The vast event is broken down into 13 product areas. Included with these are a a Toys Go Green area putting sustainable products all in one place; Stationery meets Toys is the theme for another area, with the Insights-X area focusing on the back to school sector; Tech2Play will pull together interactive and innovative toys; the Model Railways and Model Construction area will be opened up to consumers for the first. There will be a Game Inventors Convention while a new products gallery highlighting key items providing a “good starting point for retailers and buyers”. It will also highlight Toy Award nominees and winners. Other new elements include a new companies start-up area, with the Thursday night devoted to exhibitor parties on stands. “It will extend the network in a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Hess.
The toy business forum will focus on key developments and trends, including sustainability and diversity. With LicenseTalks also taking place. Presentations would also look at key trends as already identified by Spielwarenmesse – these take in in Discover!, which is about learning and different cultures and more; Brands For Fans, which focuses on kids and adults alike and film and TV-related products; and MetaToys, looking ahead to areas such as augmented reality and NFTs. There’s an extended press preview, with further elements added.
The digital business platform has also been enhanced to improve the experience for show visitors. In a statement outlining the digital improvements, Spielwarenmesse executive board spokesperson said: “With the expansion of the digital elements we are aiming above all to make it easier for the trade and media representatives from all over the world to return to the world’s leading fair for the sector, where after such a long time they will be able to enjoy that real trade fair feeling again.”
Tickets are available from here
