Top 10 Toy Fair Questions

1. How Many People Attend Toy Fair?

Over 19,000 people are expected to attend this year's Toy Fair. These industry professionals include company representatives, toy buyers and media representatives. Although Toy Fair attendance is down somewhat from prior years, this is still the largest Toy trade show in the Western hemisphere. Also, buyer attendance for the show is on an upward swing, with 2005 attendance up 16% over 2004 and preliminary estimates showing an additional 10% increase in buyer attendance in 2006.

2. What types of toys are showcased at Toy Fair?

Every type of toy imaginable is showcased at toy fair, from traditional dolls and toys to electronics and software for children, and nearly everything in between. As "play" in our society has expanded to encompass all things electronic, the mix of products at Toy Fair has definitely expanded to include electronics aimed at children (and toy and doll collectors, such as the AIBO dog from SONY that debuted at Toy Fair several years ago which was retired this month).

3. Where is Toy Fair Held?

Toy Fair has traditionally been held in New York City. The major sites for Toy Fair (for now) include the Javits exhibition center and the "Toy District" located in the area of the "Toy Building" at 200 Fifth Avenue (at 23rd). This may change in the future, since the Toy Building is slated to be turned into condominiums and locations being looked at for 2007 Toy Fair include New York, Atlanta. Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando.

4. How Much Exhibit Space is Devoted To Toy Fair?

The Jacob Javits exhibition center alone has over 325,000 square feet of exhibition space. If you've ever tried to cover all the aisles of the exhibit space at Toy Fair sequentially, it seems like you are walking several miles to be able to do it!

5. How many companies exhibit at Toy Fair?

Last year, 1,547 companies from the United States and 33 countries exhibited at Toy Fair. 2006 company attendance is expected to be similar.

6. What are the TOTY Awards?

The TOTY awards are the Toy Of The Year Awards, and they are traditionally held during the Toy Fair week in New York. These are prestigious and highly coveted awards, given out by TIA, the Toy Industry Association. Doll nominees this year include Amazing Amanda, Bratz Babyz, Pixel Chix and several Dora the Explorer toys.

7. Why are big Fairs necessary in the Internet age?

Big fairs such as Toy Fair that bring together an entire industry plus the media are essential. Sure, toy buyers could simply surf online or through catalogs for new dolls and toys, but there is nothing like the impact of seeing the dolls and toys for oneself when making buying decisions, and the impact of having everything all under one roof. Plus, fairs such as this are essential for media buzz for new products and for keeping the industry in the media's sight.

8. Can I go to Toy Fair?

Unfortunately, if you are not an "industry professional (buyer, company representative, media, inventor) you cannot attend. However, there are many shows that do allow collectors to attend directly, including the IDEX shows in Orlando (January) and Las Vegas (June).

9. What is the Fall Toy Fair?

There is another Toy Fair (also, for now, held in New York) that takes place each fall. This was formerly referred to the "Mass Market" toy fair and it is attended mostly by mass market companies such as Toys R Us, Wal Mart, Target and their ilk.

10. What are sone of the up and coming Toy Fair Trends?

Two new areas at Toy Fair 2006 really spotlight the up and coming trends. The new e@play section showcases electronic, edutainment and educational products including handheld games, computer software and video games/accessories. The new Urban Bazaar: Indie Art Toys section shows off artist-based action figures and toys that blend play with art, with influences from pop culture, music, and nostalgia.