Page 16 - Toy & Hobby Magazine NovDec20Jan21_Mag
P. 16

                 VIRTUAL EVENTS
DIGITAL DEALINGS
 New directions
Digital toy fairs have been a feature of 2020. Imogen Bailey explores the successful concepts.
“We had been working on the development of a B2B digital marketplace for the last seven years with our tech partners, so we were well- poised to deliver an immediate solution that kept toy businesses moving forward,”
she says.
The show welcomed more than 130 exhibitors including Carrera of America, Faber- Castell USA/Creativity for Kids, Goliath, Haba USA, Klutz, The Lego Group, Melissa and Doug, TY, Zing, and Wrebbit Puzzles.
Retail buyers from more than 60 countries flocked to the platform to browse innovative products to stock shelves for the holiday selling season.
“Toy Fair Everywhere was dedicated to helping toymakers and buyers maintain and build their connections as they strived to keep their businesses forging ahead,” adds Bossard.
“It was a can’t-miss event for anyone with a stake in the global business of play,” she says.
TOY FAIR EVERYWHERE
The Toy Association’s Toy Fair Everywhere was one of the first digital toy fairs to hit the market. Spanning three separate market weeks from July to September, the show allowed
toy manufacturers to connect to the global audience of toy buyers, media, and other key stakeholders ahead of the critical fourth quarter selling season.
Recognising the need to provide a comprehensive virtual show experience, the
Toy Association accelerated its plans for a digital platform that it had been working on for seven years, executive vice president of global market events at the Toy Association, Marian Bossard says.
“It quickly became clear to us that the pandemic would have a significant and lasting impact on the toy industry, and we recognised an opportunity to provide something positive for buyers and sellers gearing up for Q4 sales.
 16 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER NOVEMBER / DECEMBER / JANUARY 2021
 

















































































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