The Toy Association had originally laid out plans for the event to return from May 1-4.
The Toy Association yesterday (January 7) confirmed that Toy Fair New York 2021 has been cancelled.
The event had originally been planned to return to the Jacob K Javits Center in New York from May 1-4, with the hope being that the COVID-19 pandemic would have been sufficiently resolved by then.
Plans for Toy Fair Dallas 2021 in October remain course, however, while the organisation also reiterated its commitment to providing ongoing opportunities via Toy Fair Everywhere.
“Our foremost consideration is the health and well-being of the global toy and play community and setting a clear path forward,” said Steve Pasierb, president and ceo of The Toy Association. “We want to provide our exhibitors, retail buyers, and the larger toy and play community with certainty on important destination shows and the ability to take advantage of immediate opportunities through our year-round buying and selling platform.”
Toy Fair Dallas is due to run from Tuesday October 5 to Thursday October 7.
In addition, The Toy Association has confirmed dates for Toy Fair New York 2022, which will see the show run from February 19-22 in a newly expanded Jacob K Javits Center which will allow for new exhibitors, new educational offerings and expanded networking opportunities.
The Toy Association will also collaborate with additional prospective retailers throughout 2021 on virtual private product preview events, which in 2020 created new avenues for nearly 400 toymakers to get their products on shelves. The next virtual event with specialty retailer Claire’s is scheduled to take place February 4.
Marian Bossard, evp of global market events at The Toy Association, commented: “These proven digital opportunities should continue to be a critical part of every toy businesses’ mixed sales and marketing strategy.
“As we look forward to our time together at Toy Fair Dallas 2021 and Toy Fair New York 2022, the proof is in the pudding as to the potential of these digital tools and events to serve our members in reaching new audiences.”
