In a statement published on the Toy Association's website, president & CEO Steve Pasierb says the group is "willing, ready, and able" to put on a show in early May.
The US Toy Association has announced plans to hold its postponed Toy Fair NY, which usually takes place in February, from the 1st-4th May 2021.
Noting that the association was able to provide digital solutions to the loss of trade shows when 'the time was right', a statement from Steve Pasierb, published on the Toy Association's website, also makes clear that the group has every intention of uniting the toy industry, in person, to 'return to a degree of business normalcy, and to reclaim some aspects of our collective pre-Covid-19 lives.'
An excerpt from the statement reads: "The Toy Association’s trade events effectively and efficiently help members and the industry do more business more often, whether large- or small-scale. We canvassed our primary audience of retail buyers and toy sellers to determine whether they want us to plan for a May 2021 tradeshow. They said yes! We heard from them that the first few days of May have high potential, and the timing is relevant to specialty, long-lead, and mass market retailers. May serves specialty in time for Q4 2021; is well-timed for long lead and mass to conduct or complete spring/summer 2022 line reviews; and may even offer some early views for Q4 2022.
There is also a healthy slate of toy, entertainment, and licensed properties targeted for 2022 that need to be acted upon. As always, Toy Fair New York is a key opportunity for influential brand owners, licensors, licensees, retailers, and manufacturers to connect in the media and financial capital of the world, New York City. To be certain, this not the Toy Fair NY we have traditionally known as we anticipate smaller footprints, a different exhibitor mix, less extravagant if not workmanlike displays, and simply a focus on making the human and product connections that Zoom and similar substitutes have not been able to offer."
The statement, which can be read in full here, also offers information on how the Toy Association will ensure a safe environment for all attendees at any show to take place, and what will happen if, for any reason, a 2021 show cannot safely take place.
Steve adds: "For now, mark your calendar and together we will do whatever we can to make good things happen in a safe, healthy, and business-building manner."
