FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SECOND ANNUAL PLAY FAIR EXPANDS, INTRODUCES PREVIEW NIGHT FOR MEDIA AND TOY INDUSTRY MEMBERS

NEW YORK, NY | May 22, 2017 – The second annual Play Fair, an immersive, experience-rich event for families and fun-loving fans of all ages, is introducing its first Industry Preview Night for members of the media and toy industry professionals on Friday, November 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., the evening before Play Fair opens to the public. The special event will offer press, buyers, and industry professionals advance access to exhibitors, talent, entertainment, and play experiences. Preview Night attendees will also receive a first look at the nominees for The Toy Association’s 2018 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards.

“Play Fair highlights play and entertainment during peak toy season, and is the perfect backdrop to unveil and celebrate the 2018 TOTY nominees,” says Ken Seiter, vice president of marketing communications at The Toy Association. “The TOTYs recognize the year’s hottest toys and games – all of which build important, lifelong skills through play. The nominated toys also highlight great gift ideas for kids of all ages for the upcoming holiday season.”

Hosted by The Toy Association in partnership with Leftfield Media, Play Fair returns to New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from November 4 to 5, 2017. The inaugural event was held in February 2016 with a sold-out crowd boasting more than 20,000 parents, children, and toy enthusiasts. Play Fair organizers expect a significantly larger crowd this year, with an expanded 230,000 square feet of space (triple the size of Play Fair 2016), a new Industry Preview Night, and additional stages featuring exclusive content. Building on last year’s success, the upcoming Play Fair will also feature more character appearances, and the Toys”R”Us main stage will double its seating to accommodate twice the number of excited fans.

“Inspired by last year’s success, we are thrilled to expand Play Fair in NYC and invite industry professionals and the media to be the first to enjoy the fun with an exciting, hands-on reception during Industry Preview Night,” says Greg Topalian, president of LeftField Media. “From over-the-top play experiences to feature stages, character meet-and-greets, and so much more, this year’s event promises lasting memories for every kid and kid at heart.”

Play Fair 2017 will feature beloved family brands, including returning brands Nickelodeon, LEGO, Hasbro, and Mattel, all of which are planning amplified, one-of-a-kind experiences for 2017. New exhibitors will include family-favorite companies like Alex Brands, VTech/Leapfrog, Cartoon Network, Snazaroo, WowWee and Magformers. For more information about the event, visit www.PlayFairNY.com and follow Play Fair on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Toy Association www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org / www.playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. Over the past 100 years, The Toy Association has led the health and growth of the toy industry, and today its 950+ members account for an estimated 90% of the annual $26 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Association serves as the industry’s voice on the cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and creative benefits of play, and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. The Toy Association has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.

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