Toy World spoke to Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association, about the upcoming New York Toy Fair.
Taking place from Saturday, 30th September to Tuesday, 3rd October, this year marks a new timeslot for the trade show. 2023 marks the first time the date of New York Toy Fair has been changed after decades of being held in February.
Steve tells Toy World about this decision and the reaction he’s received so far: “A 2023 show that has significantly more exhibitors than the one last held in 2020 is the best reaction,” he said. “Our Board of Directors is committed to listening closely and responding to the needs of our members and customers and for many, the shifting retailer timelines focused on August/September deal-making became a major point. The decision to move four months did not come lightly, while the listening continues to this very day as the industry continues to evolve.”
Steve was also asked about the reason for the change, and how the show is shaping up for this year. He talked about the exhibitors and retailers at the show and what the consensus has been within the toy industry of revealing information, licences and products early, in an autumn/fall timeslot.
Steve shares his opinion on ‘secret’ rooms and ‘no media’ policies and addresses whether the New York Toy Fair is seen as predominantly catering for the US retail channel.
Commenting on how he will judge the success of the event, Steve explained: “Success can only be judged in the eyes of those who exhibit and attend. We don’t get a say. While enthusiasm and actions taken among those audiences make it clear 2023 will be a great show, we are already looking years ahead, doing research, having direct candid conversations and staying eyes wide open that what worked yesterday may not today – and certainly isn’t likely to in the future. If we claim to be an industry of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism, then those factors are the order of the day.”
To read the full Q&A, which goes into much more detail and appeared in the September edition of Toy World, click here.
