Don’t Delay: One Month Left to Reserve Tickets for the Toy of the Year Awards

January 5, 2017 | Toy professionals interested in purchasing tickets for the 17^th Annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards ceremony have until February 10^th to make their reservations. Hosted by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), this year’s prestigious gala will take place on Friday, February 17^th at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.

The TOTY ceremony will honor the top toys to hit the marketplace in 2016 and celebrate the latest inductees into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame: Peter Eio, the former president of LEGO Systems, Inc., the late Ray Larsen, founder of RLA Marketing and the late Sydney Rosen, former owner of Rose-Art, Cra-Z-Art. The evening will also support the philanthropic endeavors of the Toy Industry Foundation.

“The TOTY awards are known as the ‘Oscars’ of the toy business and for good reason – they champion the best new toys in the marketplace and with new award categories this year, some of the most inventive toymakers today will be showcased,” said Steve Pasierb, TIA’s President & CEO.  “Everyone coming to New York for Toy Fair should also plan to attend the TOTY’s. It’s a night to celebrate the toy world, make incredible networking connections and support our industry’s charitable work.”

The TOTY Awards will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail networking reception with hors d’oeuvres, followed by a plated dinner and dessert during the awards ceremony. Throughout the evening, toy, game and license winners across 14 categories (including six new categories) will be announced, as well as the “People’s Choice” award, based solely on consumer votes, and the overall “Toy of the Year” award, selected by retailers, consumers, journalists, and TIA members. Attendees will also enjoy live entertainment and a special tribute to the Foundation.

Last year’s “Toy of the Year” award went to Just Play’s Doc McStuffins Pet Vet Checkup Center. Uptown Espresso Kitchen by KidKraft LLC won the “People’s Choice” award.

The award event kicks off the 114^th North American International Toy Fair taking place February 18-21 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Tickets for the event cost $395 per person or $3,950 per table (reserved tables seat 10 people). To reserve tickets or tables, interested parties are asked to register via the online form. For parties of 20 or more, or for additional information, please contact the TOTY reservationist.

Companies looking for a valuable way to promote their brands – and contribute to a good cause – have until January 27^th to reserve ad space in the Foundation’s 2017 Tribute Book, the official event program for the TOTY Awards ceremony. Questions may be directed to TIF’s Elizabeth Max.