New York Toy Fair Attendance Still Going Strong

Playthings Staff -- Gifts and Dec, January 23, 2013

NEW YORK - More than 15,000 play professionals from 92 countries have already registered to attend the 110th American International Toy Fair, according to a report by the Toy Industry Association.

The fair, which takes place, Feb. 10-13, 2013, has already pulled in 23 of the biggest U.S. toy buyers, including Toys "R" Us, Target,Walmart and Amazon and will showcase more than 1,000 exhibitors and more than 150,000 playthings-everything from action figures, board games, children's books and music, science and discovery kits, outdoor toys, and more-within 374,000 net square feet of space.

International buyer registration was also up three percent year-to-date, and nearly11,500 buyers from approximately 6,400 retail outlets have signed on. The top five countries that have registered are Canada, the UK, Mexico, Japan and Australia; exhibitors from 148 countries are expected to attend. Licensor attendance is also on the rise - registration for this group is up 19% year-to-date - with representatives from big-name entertainment companies, including Warner Brothers, Disney and Dreamworks. Toy Fair has also expanded on-site educational licensing resources with the TIA's Content Connection, which will take place on Feb. 10 and 11.

"We saw a big leap in buyers from several powerhouse retailers at Fall Toy Preview in Dallas last October, and this momentum is being carried forward to our February show," said Marian Bossard, vice president of meetings and events, TIA.