The Switch to Fall and This Year’s Event in Dallas

When the Toy Association started the transition to a new-for-next-fall timeframe for Toy Fair New York and announced the retirement of its annual fall event in Texas, one loose thread remained: this year’s previously scheduled Toy Fair Dallas in late September/early October. Based on strong demand from both exhibitors and buyers, says The Toy Association (and probably a

reservation obligation to fulfill at the Dallas Market Center), the event was not cancelled. Instead, it was moved up to September 20 through 22 and became the one-off 2023 Preview & Holiday Market.

The association expects it will be “where retailers will go to shop for holiday drivers and to scout out innovative products to lay the groundwork for the following year’s fourth quarter.”

Included on the three-day-long agenda is the presentation of the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, meaning that for the first and possibly only time, two sets of awards will be given in the same year in 18 categories plus a new one for fall: Ride-on Toy of the Year.

“The timing offers a powerful pre-holiday opportunity for toy companies to promote their TOTYnominated products and brands during the holiday shopping season, when toy sales are vital and when products are on-shelf for the holidays,” explains the association.

The timeline/holiday-promotion opportunities theme was first mentioned by Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Toy Association, when the board voted to switch Toy Fair from an annual winter show in February to a fall event. “Fall can deliver a powerful preholiday opportunity for companies to make product news that matters, something that can’t happen in February,” Pasierb posted on LinkedIn earlier this year. “In New York, fall is particularly appealing to allied industries, including licensing, entertainment and studios not currently part of Toy Fair, but

SCHEDULE 2023 Preview & Holiday Market

Tuesday, September 20 Show Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Toy of the Year Awards and Opening

Night Party: 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 21 Show Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming

9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Learn about Target’s purpose and strategy for creating inclusive products, systems and experiences across the business.

11 a.m. to noon Stephanie Bailey, VP of Global Toys, Paramount, discusses career paths in toys.

1:30 to 2: 30 p.m. The Toy Foundation talks about why play matters, and how collective action impacts the toy industry.

Thursday, September 22 Show Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit toyassociation.org/previewmarket for up-to-date additions to the schedule.

important to the business of toys and now intrigued by potentially joining in.”

With nearly 250 exhibitors, the preview/market offers buyers from stores large (Hobby Lobby, Spencer’s, Macy’s, and Barnes & Noble are registered) and small (Beyond the Blackboard in Colorado, Imagine That in Kansas, Darien Toy Box in Connecticut, and Barston’s Child’s Play in Virginia are on the list) to see and to touch items that may become next year’s hot trends.

Buyer Marnie Lawrence, senior director of merchandising for Barnes & Noble, will be there to trend spot, she told The Toy Association. “I am particularly interested in discovering new suppliers and new products,” she told them. “After two years of not attending trade shows, the prospect of unearthing new gems at an in-person show is incredibly exciting. Over the course of the pandemic, we stayed in close contact with our vendor partners and capitalized on their new product launches. However, finding new suppliers, innovations, new categories of business – these discoveries happen in person.”

In 2023, Toy Fair will be held at the Javits Center in New York, September 30 to October 3. For more information, visit toyfairny.com.

Go Early and Become a Certified Play Expert

ASTRA’s revised and updated Certified Play Expert (CPE) Program will be presented as a two-day course at the Dallas Market Center, Sunday, September 18 and Monday, September 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. “Earning the CPE credential will deepen your knowledge about child development and the importance of play – through all ages,” explains ASTRA. “The specialty toy industry is known for toys that are loads of fun and promote healthy, developmentally appropriate play. Becoming well-versed in the art and science of play is an important business strategy that helps differentiate your company’s products or your store from the competition, and builds trust with your customers.” Participants will receive top-quality, research-based instruction in several core areas, including theories of child development, characteristics of major developmental stages, types of play and their benefits, advocating for play, and making sense of play. Cost: $299 per person Continental breakfast and lunch are included each day.