On with the show Trade show updates from home and abroad Toy Fair 2024 sells out The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) has announced that Toy Fair 2023 has sold out four months ahead of the show opening, with all exhibition spaces including the Greenhouse, now with waiting lists. The prestigious annual show, which is back for its 69th year, is taking place from the 24th-26th January 2023 at Olympia London. With 250 exhibiting companies in attendance, occupying the Grand and National halls on both levels, the toy industry is gearing up for one of the busiest shows to date. After another successful show earlier this year, the BTHA is delighted with the number of re-bookings for 2023 as well as a significant number of new applications. The show will be welcoming exhibitors from large renowned brands, through to mid-size and smaller innovative start-ups, many of which can be found in the popular Greenhouse in the Grand Hall. Names joining the ranks for Toy Fair 2023 include Hasbro, Moose Toys, LEGO, Basic Fun!, Dolu, Funko, Kidicraft, Rubies Masquerade, Rainbow Designs Ltd, Mood Bears, Juratoys UK Ltd, PLAYMOBIL, Magformers, movies inc, John Adams Leisure Limited, among many others. The full floorplan and exhibitor list can be found on the Toy Fair website. Any companies interested in exhibiting are encouraged to get in touch with Rebecca@btha.co.uk. Director of Fairs & Special Events, Majen Immink said; “The momentum and excitement we have seen for Toy Fair 2023 is just fantastic. The fact that the show has sold out already and 89% of exhibition space has been booked by returnees after a successful 2022 showcase, following the hiatus in 2021, speaks volumes as to the strength of the toy industry and the importance of the fair to participants. “We recognise the continued challenges the industry is facing and are thankful to all our exhibitors for the continued support; it is greatly appreciated. We look forward to working with exhibitors and supporting them in the run up to the event and making this Toy Fair 2023 a show to remember!” Many brands see the show as pivotal to their overarching yearly strategy, Adam Moore, Marketing Communications Manager at PLAYMOBIL commented; “Toy Fair is one of the biggest events in the PLAYMOBIL calendar each year. Attending Toy Fair is extremely important to us and we start planning the next show almost immediately after one finishes. It is the best place to meet with buyers from major national and independent retailers and provides us with the opportunity to build on our current relationships and create new ones.” Those in attendance will be showcasing thousands of new and exciting products ranging across categories including tech toys, plush, games and puzzles, construction, plus many more, to retailers, buyers and the media. There will also be sneak previews of new themes and trends for 2023 and exclusive on-site retail offers. Kasia Leskow, Head of Marketing GB/IE at Zapf Creation, commented: “Zapf Creation is truly excited to be exhibiting at Toy Fair 2023 – a huge event for the toy industry. Toy Fair offers us a fantastic platform to showcase our ranges to key retailers and industry friends, in addition to communicating our commitment to sustainability with our plastic-free packaging.” SMART TOYS AND GAMES IS RECOGNISED FOR FIVE AWARDS IN THE INDEPENDENT TOY AWARDS Smart Toys and Games HQ are announced as winners of the much-anticipated Independent Toy Awards. Smart Toys and Games successfully scooped a series of award wins not only for its own brands, but also for The Happy Puzzle Company, which has recently been acquired by the business. Smart Toys and Games have been recognised across many categories and are delighted to announce the following award wins: • SmartGames - Grizzly Gears – SILVER (Educational Games category) • SmartMax - Roboflex – GOLD (Construction category) • The Happy Puzzle Company - Got It! – GOLD (Educational Games category) • The Happy Puzzle Company - Genius Gems – BRONZE (Jigsaws & Puzzles category) • The Happy Puzzle Company - Trampoline Tennis – COMMENDATION (Outdoor category) Now in its 15th year, the Independent Toy Awards awards scheme is uniquely positioned to host such awards due to its evergrowing network of over 900 independent toy retailers. Smart Toys and Games is thrilled to have been recognised for five awards in this highly respected scheme. Having only launched at Toy Fair in January, SmartMax Roboflex is enjoying a hugely successful year, having been recognised as one of Toy Fair’s ‘Hero Toys for 2022’; Platinum for Best Construction Toy in the Loved By Parents Awards and now Gold in the Construction category in the Independent Toy Awards. It’s no surprise Roboflex is enjoying such success, suitable for ages 3+, Roboflex encourages little ones to get creative as they make their own colourful, crazy robots. The 12 piece set features flexible, extendable magnetic bars that will add an extra dimension to the SmartMax playset. Budding robotics can choose their parts and then bend, extend, assemble, and play. 15 NEWS & EVENTS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=