NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES BACK THE 113th ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR

2/9/16


NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES BACK THE 113th ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR



— More Than 1,200 Exhibitors Expected to Attend the Western Hemisphere’s Largest Toy Trade Show, February 13 to February 16 —



— Industry Event Will Open Alongside Play Fair, a Brand New Consumer Event —



New York City (February 9, 2016) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, welcomes back the 113th Annual North American International Toy Fair, the largest toy, game and youth product marketplace in the Western Hemisphere. The North American International Toy Fair will bring together more than 1,200 total exhibitors from 32 countries, more than 11,000 buyers representing 5,000 unique retail outlets and 20 of the Top 25 Toy Sellers under one roof. 



Toy Fair 2016 runs from Saturday, February 13 through Tuesday, February 16 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Toy Fair will open alongside a brand new consumer segment, Play Fair, also at the Javits Center on February 13 and 14.



“We are thrilled to welcome back the North American International Toy Fair and its participants to New York City. This annual gathering continues to provide play professionals with the opportunity to not only discover new trends but establish new business relationships,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “There is no better place to introduce the latest innovations and new retail concepts in the toy industry than here in NYC.”

The North American International Toy Fair is produced by the Toy Industry Association™, Inc. (TIA), a not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and bringing toys and youth entertainment products to kids of all ages. TIA’s more than 900 members account for approximately 90% of all toys distributed in North America.



“Toy Fair is four days of fun but it’s also serious business,” said Marian Bossard, SVP of TIA Global Market Events. “We expect over 33,000 members of the global toy community to walk the aisles of the Javits Center in search of the hottest playthings. This year, we are thrilled that families can experience the magic of toys and play this year for the very first time at Play Fair!”



“Business in the US begins at the Javits Center, and one of our most exciting events to launch new products is the North American International Toy Fair,” said Alan Steel, president and CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which runs the Javits Center. “This show generates a tremendous amount of economic activity for New York City, including the City’s hotel, restaurant and tourism industries. We are delighted to build upon our long-standing partnership with the event organizers and look forward to another banner year for the fair.”

The 2016 Toy Fair will bring together exhibitors from all over the world, showcasing classic toys, interactive entertainment and everything in between. The Toy Fair playground includes: action figures and dolls; games and puzzles; construction toys; arts and creative activities; bicycles, tricycles and ride-ons; radio-controlled vehicles; infant and preschool toys; cars, trucks and trains; puppets and plush; playground and sporting equipment; books, and much more.



Play Fair, a two-day celebration of play and entertainment for all ages, will make its grand debut at the Javits Center, along with the North American International Toy Fair, on February 13. This brand new, separate event is open to the public, and features hands-on exhibits, awe-inspiring displays and never-before-seen exclusives from major brands. Play Fair is a partnership between TIA and LeftField Media, and presented by LEGO and Nickelodeon.



Offering more than just fun and games, attendees can also participate in daily educational seminars, networking activities and after-hours events to take advantage of everything New York City has to offer. Highlights include: Toys Trends Briefing, up-to-the-minute trend information direct from the show floor taking place Sunday, February 14 at 4pm. On Monday, February 15, attendees can catch the TIA’s Annual Toy Safety Update Session, highlighting important changes in state, federal and international toy safety requirements, and introducing emerging issues under consideration by legislators and regulators in key markets around the globe.



Also located within the Javits Center on February 15 and 16 is the Digital Kids Conference. This is the must-attend event for brand owners, entertainment and media executives, marketers, producers, digital media directors and licensing professionals seeking to engage children online and on digital devices.



Toy Fair is open to the trade and media only, not the general public. Consumers, the public and supervised children are invited to purchase a ticket and attend the sister show, Play Fair, running February 13 and 14 in the Javits Center's North Building. Separate registration is required and fees apply. For more information, please go to toyfairny.com or follow Toy Fair on Twitter @ToyFairNY. Registration is mandatory for access to Toy Fair 2016; verification of media and buyer credentials is required. 



About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.



About the North American International Toy Fair:   
The North American International Toy Fair® is the largest toy tradeshow in the Western Hemisphere, bringing together nearly 1,200 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from around the globe to showcase their toy and youth entertainment products. From classic toys to interactive entertainment and everything in between, the Toy Fair playground includes: action figures and dolls; games and puzzles; construction toys; arts and creative activities; bicycles, tricycles and ride-ons; radio-controlled vehicles; infant and preschool toys; cars, trucks and trains; puppets and plush; computer software and video games; playground and sporting equipment; books, stationery and party supplies; and much more. More information is available at ToyFairNY.com



About Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York:
Known as the “Marketplace for the World,” the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York was designed by I.M. Pei & Partners and opened in 1986. The iconic facility has since become New York City’s primary venue for large conventions, trade shows and special events and serves as home to many of the world’s top 250 trade shows, hosting millions of visitors a year. These large-scale events generate up to $1.8 billion in annual economic activity for New York City and New York State, supporting more than 17,000 jobs in and around the facility. Located on 11th Avenue between 34th and 40th Streets, the Javits Center has 840,000 square feet of total exhibition space, 102 meeting rooms and four banquet halls, as well as a range of telecommunications services, including WiFi access. For more information, visit javitscenter.com.  



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Contact: NYC & Company / Chris Heywood 212-484-1270
               NYC & Company / Sean Altberger 212-484-1270