happenings
Toy Fair ’14 Toy Industry Association
RAISING THE BAR AT
by Kristin Morency Goldman, communications specialist, Toy Industry Association he Toy Industry Association (TIA) is planning a show filled with new and improved programs that will make the 111th American International Toy Fair better than ever for the 30,000 play professionals expected in New York City this February. A few highlights of the many business, educational, and networking opportunities available at this year’s show include:
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new educational sessions will bring programming for child-focused licensors, brand owners, and entertainment executives to the next level. A Licensing 101 session to uncover fundamental licensing issues, and a specialized workshop, will allow participants to create a hypothetical licensing program. More information is available under “TIA’s Licensing Content Connection” on ToyFairNY.com.
E-Commerce Innovation for Buyers & Sellers
Expanding Your Mind, Growing Your Business
TIA has partnered with Balluun, a business-to-business tech firm, to introduce ShopToyFair365, an e-commerce platform for exhibitors and buyers that is accessible online and via mobile app. A year-round online marketplace and virtual social network, ShopToyFair365 enables buyers to search companies by filter, browse product lines and images, create shareable “lookbooks” of products they are considering, and, most importantly, purchase orders. Similar to social networking websites, retailers can also follow exhibiting companies to receive up-to-the-minute updates—as well as comment on, share, and like product images.
A vital component of TIA’s yearround Knowledge Network, Toy Fair’s educational programming will include several favorites and many new additions: • Toy Fair’s Creative Factor, a learning series for the creative community, will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. Inventors and designers can attend complimentary seminars about starting a business, negotiating agreements, protecting intellectual property, and more. • Independent Thinking sessions will be held to provide independent and specialty retailers with the tools they need to grow their businesses and attract shoppers to their stores. • The Digital Kids Conference (February 18 to 19) will once again take place onsite at Toy Fair, targeting the business needs of professionals seeking to engage kids online and via digital devices. Additionally, the Digital Kids Toys, Learning & Play Summit (February 17) will offer
Catering to the Licensing Boon With licensed toys consistently capturing nearly 30 percent of total industry sales, Toy Fair has become an important hub for the licensing and toy industries to conduct business. TIA’s
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014
insights into effectively adding educational components to toys, games, mobile apps, and websites. Toy Fair attendees can attend the conference and summit at a reduced rate. • New this year is a series of market research presentations from TIA designed specifically to help small- and mid-sized toy companies consider whether Brazil and China are possible new export markets; some of these sessions are for TIA members only. • Also for the first time this year, TIA’s annual Toy Safety Compliance Update, which brings businesses up-to-speed on important toy safety standards, laws, and requirements, will be complimentary for all interested attendees. This session immediately follows the TIA Annual Business Meeting, which covers industry and TIA-specific updates and developments.
Toy Trend Insights For the first time, TIA’s annual trends session, previously only open to media, will be open to all Toy Fair attendees. This introduction to the year’s trends will take place in the afternoon on February 17. ■ The 111th American International Toy Fair will take place February 16 to 19 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Visit ToyFairNY.com for show information and updates.
THE TOY BOOK •
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