The spring play date expands the seasonality of Adventure Media & Events’ in-person toy industry offerings beyond its Sweet Suite and Holiday of Play events.
The Toy Association, the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages, and Adventure Media & Events, the publisher of industry-leading US media outlets the Toy Book and the Toy Insider, has announced a partnership to deliver a one-of-a-kind “play date” in March 2023. The unique event will give media, investors and the influencer community direct access to the toy companies, brands and products that will be hot throughout the year, including spring and summer launches, plus a first look at the hottest toys for the coming holiday season.
“As the producer of Toy Fair [New York], The Toy Association is continuing its long-held tradition of unveiling the latest trends and hottest products in Q1, even as Toy Fair shifts from its former February dates to a new fall time frame,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “We are happy to partner with Adventure Media & Events to give toy brands the opportunity to spotlight their key drivers for the holiday, and to provide media and trend-spotters with a first-look at the products that will be driving consumer toy purchases through holiday 2023.”
Jackie Breyer, vice president and group publisher at Adventure Media & Events, added: “We know how important it is for toy companies to get in front of the press early in the year to showcase their new product launches. We are excited to collaborate with The Toy Association to ensure manufacturers have the opportunity to demonstrate their mid-year and Q4 releases to the media in advance of the key consumer shopping period. Press, influencers and toy manufacturers have been attending our media preview events for more than a decade, and we are so excited to offer another opportunity for industry professionals to make connections ahead of the holiday shopping season.”
The event will be held in New York City. Among the many activities set to take place, The Toy Association’s trends team will unveil its annual trend predictions, giving media and guests insight into what will be topping wish lists through the holiday season. Adventure Media’s team of toy experts from the Toy Book and the Toy Insider, as well as The Toy Association’s team of trend experts, will be on-hand for on-camera interviews related to the state of the toy industry, toy trends and more. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks.
The media showcase is the latest addition to The Toy Association’s roster of international trade shows, live events, digital offerings, private previews and resources that aim to help companies grow and succeed in an ever-evolving toy and retail landscape. For more information about The Toy Association, visit www.ToyAssociation.org.
