Following the cancellation of the 2021 and 2022 shows due to Covid, New York Toy Fair organisers are said to be considering a change of date and possibly location.

New York Toy Fair has been cancelled in 2022 for a second year, due to Covid concerns, despite the best efforts of The Toy Association to host a safe event.

The New York Post has reported that the sources have said one option is to move the annual trade show to the fall (autumn) instead of its typical February date, with another option to relocate from New York altogether.

Group spokesperson for The Toy Association, Adrienne Appell, has confirmed to the publication that the association is in discussions with Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

“We’ve been adamant that every aspect of Toy Fair is on the table and open for change to make certain it serves the industry both today and for years to come,” Toy Association CEO Steve Pasierb said in a statement to members last week.

Although the event has been held in February since 1987, discussions to consider moving the show from its February date to later in the year have been ongoing for some time, according to Adrienne, who added that the pandemic accelerated the process. Many manufacturers believe that unveiling their latest ranges in the peak holiday period means they will get more media attention, rather than waiting until February.

There are also those who believe that the role of the trade show is changing, with companies finding new ways to connect during the pandemic that don’t involve traveling to see each other in person.

The Javits Center declined to comment to The New York Post, however there is now speculation that, should a new date in the autumn not be available, another possibility is to move the location of the show, with Las Vegas, Orlando and Chicago among the destinations being mooted.

A board meeting held at The Toy Association on Feb.18th will include further discussion on the future of the event.

“There is a hundred-year history here, so we are carefully discussing all of the implications of moving the show,” added Adrienne.

Toy World will keep readers updated with any further developments as they happen.