Page 30 - Toy & Hobby Magazine NovDec20Jan21_Mag

ATA UPDATE BY ALICE SANDERSON
That’s a wrap
WITH various restrictions in place in Australia and internationally, and more recently the lockdown in Victoria, 2020 has proven to be a very unusual and challenging year both professionally and personally for all of us.
I’m sure you will all agree that it is both sad and disappointing, that international toy fairs have needed to be postponed or cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide. What would have been the industry’s annual sourcing circuit, has now completely changed but hopefully 2022 will see the return to normal.
While Melbourne is slowly coming out
of COVID-19 restrictions, things are still unpredictable, even in other states, and in the current climate our mission is to not contribute to this. The ATA have therefore made the decision to hold the Toy Hobby and Licensing Fair in 2021 as a digital event and are
very pleased to hear that both exhibitors
and attendees understand and support this. We believe this is the best outcome moving
forward and are very excited to be able to present this new concept for the annual Toy Hobby and Licensing Fair in 2021.
It provides many positive possibilities that a physical Fair, while the preferred option,
does not offer in these current circumstances. It removes the uncertainty of local and international travel constraints and opens the potential for international guests to attend and present.
The annual awards will go ahead as in the past with Product of the Year, Judges Choice Award, License of the year and Rising Star being awarded, along with a brand new, exciting award that is judged for kids, by kids.
The Kids Choice Award will be presented
to one new product that is aimed at kids 4-6 and one new product for kids aged 7-12. To be launched at the 2021 Toy Hobby and Licensing Fair – Digital, The Kids Choice Award is sponsored by Just Kidding, Australia’s largest and highest circulating kids magazine.
“As Australia’s largest kids magazine, Just Kidding is thrilled to be partnering with the Australian Toy Association to sponsor and present the very first ‘Kids Choice Award’ for 2021,” Just Kidding publisher, Mark Holmes said. “Complementing already existing categories in place, the Kids Choice Award
is particularly exciting given that the voting and overall decision making will come via a carefully chosen team of readers who are also part of our junior journalist program aged 4-6 years and 7-12 years respectively. Our
collaboration with the ATA is one that we are proud to be a part of not only for 2021 but hopefully for many years to come,”
he said.
MamaMag has also partnered with
the ATA in choosing the hottest toys for Christmas. Submissions have now closed,
and we are busy looking through all the
toys submitted to guess what toys will be
the most popular this year. The 10 hottest toys from each age group will be chosen by MamaMag junior judges and then promoted by MamaMag in the December edition which goes out to over 150,000 readers.
“The Value of Play is
an important message from the ATA as it supports children’s social, emotional
and intellectual development.”
Another exciting outcome for the ATA during 2020 has been the extensive increase in traffic to the Australian Toy Association Value of Play website. With our children spending more time at home due to social distancing, during both the initial COVID-19 national lockdown and more recently the Victorian lockdown imposed over the past few months, it has proven an invaluable resource for parents who have visited the website and social media channels for ideas on how to maximise family fun and games during these difficult times.
The Value of Play is an important message from the ATA and its members as it supports children’s social, emotional and intellectual development. Toys are a vital part of play as they spark ideas and inspire children to play and learn.
Last on the ATA calendar for 2020 is the annual AGM which was held online on the 18th November. An update on this and our new Board will be provided in the next issue.
Finally, the ATA would like to wish all of our members and their families a very safe and Happy Christmas and New Year and we look forward to a prosperous new year in 2021. ❉
30 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER NOVEMBER / DECEMBER / JANUARY 2021