The US Toy Association has hailed the success of its 118th Toy Fair, the first held in-person in New York since 2020.
The organisation has pored over the facts and figures and pulled comments together from exhibitors, retailers and other delegates and attendees celebrating the success of the event.
The numbers look impressive: nearly 100 countries were represented at the four-day event which returned to its regular home of the Javits Center in the Big Apple; “thousands of buyers from mass, mid-sized, and specialty retail outlets spanning all 50 states and 74 countries and territories”; 23 of the top 25 toy sellers in attendance (including US behemoths such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Costco, Target, and Walmart); 1021 exhibitors, of whom nearly 400 were first time showing off their wares at the show; more than 800 print, digital and broadcast journalists Including outlets such as ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNET and Good Housekeeping).
“It was terrific to be back at Toy Fair to connect with and celebrate the incredible people and ideas that make our industry so dynamic”
Skip Kodak, regional president The LEGO Group
“When the ribbon was cut to welcome the global play community back together for Toy Fair 2023, attendees were met with an experience that had been reimagined to encourage more engagement and interaction between exhibitors, buyers, media, and other showgoers as well as offer more of the targeted business intelligence our industry needs to succeed in today’s evolving, and uncertain, economy,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association. “But more than anything Toy Fair again emphasized what happens when the brightest minds in toy design, manufacturing, and marketing converge. Together, we craft more than just playthings; we craft experiences that shape childhood memories, inspire dreams, foster a sense of wonder, and bring families together.”
“It was terrific to be back at Toy Fair to connect with and celebrate the incredible people and ideas that make our industry so dynamic,” said Skip Kodak, regional president of The LEGO Group. “The energy onsite was electric, and we were especially thrilled to celebrate the LEGO Group’s recognition for products, people, and booth presentation. Congratulations to The Toy Association on a great event!”
First-time exhibitor Candice Walsh, founder & CEO of Nug + Tater, said her first Toy Fair experience “was like opening the door to a world of endless possibilities. We were fortunate to share our company and products with thousands of people, and we’re looking forward to nurturing the partnerships and relationships that were formed during Toy Fair.”
Buyer feedback included Debbie Dunkerley, global vice president of buying for Claire’s Stores, who said Toy Fair was an “inspiring show that offered a fantastic way to connect with current vendors, make new connections, and discover new opportunities”.
Sara Loiselle, senior buyer for IT’SUGAR, added: “It was so exciting to finally have Toy Fair back after three years. It is so important to have a show that solely focuses on toy and play products. The number of exhibitors was extensive, and it was great to connect in person with colleagues and discuss current trends and products for the coming year. There was definitely an energy in the building that made this show exciting to be a part of.”
