Fall Toy Preview: Your Chance to Sell More Product & Network

September 25, 2018 | The Toy Association’s Fall Toy Preview in Dallas, TX is just one week away. Are you ready? Here are five reasons this year’s fall marketplace will be the best yet!

1. Get Your Products in Front of More Buyers
   The fall marketplace has seen a 25 percent increase in registered retail companies compared to last year’s registration numbers.
   
   Notable retailers attending Fall Toy Preview include: Amazon, Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, BJ’s Wholesale, Burlington Stores, Canadian Tire, Cinemark, Claire’s, Dillard’s, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, GameStop, Hallmark, Hobby Lobby, Hot Topic, Indigo Books and Music, J.C. Penney, Justice, Macy’s, Michaels Stores, Office Depot, Party City, Ross Stores, Sam’s Club, Spencer’s, Staples, Stage Stores, Target, TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods, Toys “R” Us Canada, Tuesday Morning, and Walmart.
   
   
2. Networking, Networking, Networking!
   The annual opening night party, taking place on Tuesday in the Grand Pavilion atrium of the Dallas Market Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m., is the premier networking event for toy professionals while in Dallas. Exhibitors will receive two complimentary tickets, while additional tickets are only $25 per person, for an evening of food, cocktails, entertainment, and a chance to catch up with peers. Proceeds from the opening night party will benefit The Toy Foundation.
   
   The Toy Association’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) will host an enhanced Mentor Meet Up & Cocktail Party at Uchiba on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., where attendees can mix and mingle with other toy professionals, have a drink, listen to live music, and hear a short panel discussion. YPN is targeted towards industry professionals 35 and under, but all Toy Association members, exhibitors, and show attendees are welcome to attend the event by registering online. The event will be co-sponsored by YPN and Spin Master.
   
   Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) will host its annual WIT Empowerment Day at the Dallas Market Center on Monday, October 1. 


3. Special Sessions
   Limited spots are still available for exhibitors to meet with local social media influencers at the inaugural Blogger Breakfast on Tuesday, October 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Contact The Toy Association’s Laura Mangiaracina to secure a spot. (This is a paid appointment subject to availability.)
   
   On Wednesday, October 3, join David Becker of Blue Plate Media Services to learn what a “balanced diet” of media buying looks like during a complimentary session, “Understand the ‘Balanced Diet’ of Media Matters,” taking place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Atrium Lobby. 
   
   
4. Trend-spotting!
   There are still a few spots left for toy companies to book appointments with The Toy Association’s trends team, who will be at the show to preview products and scout trends for 2019. Show your key products to the team to help them determine next year’s biggest trends in toys, play, and youth entertainment. 


5. Donate Product to The Toy Foundation’s (TTF) Toy Bank
   Donate toys and games to disadvantaged children in the metro Dallas area. At precisely 5:01 p.m. on October 4, the day of the show’s close, Toy Bank volunteers will collect toys and games for children in need from exhibitor booths. Exhibitors who wish to join these crucial efforts are encouraged to stop by the Foundation’s booth (#12-2424) or contact Elizabeth Max, TTF’s senior foundation manager, to obtain a product donation form.

    

Taking place October 2 to 4, Fall Toy Preview will showcase innovative playthings coming to market in 2019 from more than 300 registered exhibitors. Throughout the three-day show, exhibitors will do business with hundreds of global buyers from both mass and high-volume specialty retail outlets.