schedule of events

There's a lot happening at Toy Fair

From educational seminars, demonstrations, networking opportunities, to special events, all designed to get the most out of your time in New York and help you grow your business.

Dates and times are subject to change. All events take place at the Javits Center unless otherwise noted.
 
 

On-site registration hours: 9 AM - 5 PM

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Inventor Day – Registration & Check-In (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

8:00 - 9:00 AMLevel 1, Room 1A03

9:00 AM

CF@TF (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

9:00 AM – 12:00 PMLevel 1, Room 1A03

Through Creative Factor, The Toy Association’s educational program for inventors and designers, a select number of inventors will pitch their ideas to influential toy and youth entertainment professionals and potential manufacturing partners. Initial review and selection of submissions will be done by the Creative Factor Advisory Board.

10:30 AM

Freshman Friday - Freshman Exhibitor Orientation

10:30 - 11:30 AMLevel 1, Room 1E11

Join fellow first-time Toy Fair exhibitors along with helpful contacts from The Toy Association, T3 Expo, Balluun/ShopToys365, the Javits Center, and elsewhere at the orientation designed just for you and led by Kimberly Carcone, The Toy Association's Vice President, Market Events.

This is your opportunity to ask last minute questions, get tips for making the most of your Toy Fair investment from experienced trade show specialists, and enjoy refreshments.

An optional tour of the facility will follow. Location subject to change. Check your Move-In Bulletin and Toy Fair Mobile for updates.

12:00 PM

CF@TF Lunch & Learn (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

12:00 – 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and join your colleagues to learn from experts in the inventor and IP protection arena.

2:00 PM

CF@TF (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

2:00 – 5:00 PMLevel 1, Room 1A03

Through Creative Factor, The Toy Association’s educational program for inventors and designers, a select number of inventors will pitch their ideas to influential toy and youth entertainment professionals and potential manufacturing partners. Initial review and selection of submissions will be done by the Creative Factor Advisory Board.

2:00 PM

Inventor Day - Ask the Experts (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

2:00 – 5:00 PM

Got questions? Ask the experts in design and manufacturing, overcoming inventing challenges, licensing, and intellectual property.

6:30 PM

Toy of the Year Awards

6:30 - 11:00 PMThe Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York City

Known as the "Oscars" of the toy industry, the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards are presented annually to the top toys, games, and properties of the year. Administered by The Toy Association, the awards program supports the philanthropic work of The Toy Foundation, which delivers new toys to children in need. Learn more.

9:30 PM

TOTY Afterparty

9:30 - 11:00 PMThe Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York City

Can’t make it to TOTY? Get tickets for the Afterparty for only $95/person. Invite your colleagues to celebrate the night with networking, drinking, and dancing! (Tickets for the 20th annual Toy of the Year Awards ceremony include admission to the Afterparty.)

The Toy Association is proud to offer informational sessions for Toy Fair exhibitors and attendees covering topics as diverse as marketplace trends and tips for a successful exhibit experience.

10:30 AM

Freshman Friday - Freshman Exhibitor Orientation

10:30 - 11:30 AMLevel 1, Room 1E11

Join fellow first-time Toy Fair exhibitors along with helpful contacts from The Toy Association, T3 Expo, Balluun/ShopToys365, the Javits Center, and elsewhere at the orientation designed just for you and led by Kimberly Carcone, The Toy Association's Vice President, Market Events.

This is your opportunity to ask last minute questions, get tips for making the most of your Toy Fair investment from experienced trade show specialists, and enjoy refreshments.

An optional tour of the facility will follow. Location subject to change. Check your Move-In Bulletin and Toy Fair Mobile for updates.

6:30 PM

Toy of the Year Awards

6:30 - 11:00 PMThe Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York City

Known as the "Oscars" of the toy industry, the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards are presented annually to the top toys, games, and properties of the year. Administered by The Toy Association, the awards program supports the philanthropic work of The Toy Foundation, which delivers new toys to children in need. Learn more.

9:30 PM

TOTY Afterparty

9:30 - 11:00 PMThe Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York City

Can’t make it to TOTY? Get tickets for the Afterparty for only $95/person. Invite your colleagues to celebrate the night with networking, drinking, and dancing! (Tickets for the 20th annual Toy of the Year Awards ceremony include admission to the Afterparty.)

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Inventor Day – Registration & Check-In (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

8:00 - 9:00 AMLevel 1, Room 1A03

9:00 AM

CF@TF (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

9:00 – 12:00 PMLevel 1, Room 1A03

Through Creative Factor, The Toy Association’s educational program for inventors and designers, a select number of inventors will pitch their ideas to influential toy and youth entertainment professionals and potential manufacturing partners. Initial review and selection of submissions will be done by the Creative Factor Advisory Board.

12:00 PM

CF@TF Lunch & Learn (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

12:00 – 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and join your colleagues to learn from experts in the inventor and IP protection arena.

2:00 PM

CF@TF (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

2:00 – 5:00 PMLevel 1, Room 1A03

Through Creative Factor, The Toy Association’s educational program for inventors and designers, a select number of inventors will pitch their ideas to influential toy and youth entertainment professionals and potential manufacturing partners. Initial review and selection of submissions will be done by the Creative Factor Advisory Board.

2:00 PM

Inventor Day - Ask the Experts (Private Event - Inventors Invitation Only)

2:00 – 5:00 PM

Got questions? Ask the experts in design and manufacturing, overcoming inventing challenges, licensing, and intellectual property.

Show hours: 9 AM - 6 PM

1:30 PM

Toy Trends Briefing

1:30 - 2:30 PMLevel 1, Hall 1E, Room 1E09

Get an exclusive first look at the top toy trends of 2020 at The Toy Association's Toy Trends Briefing. Using examples from the show floor, our trend experts will highlight the hottest trends -- and tell you where to find them at Toy Fair. Free and open to all. No registration required.

4:00 PM

Annual General Meeting of The Toy Association

4:00 - 5:00 PMCreative Factor Theatre, Level 1, 1D/Special Events Hall Lobby

Open to members and non-members and free to all registrants and exhibitors, this year-end wrap-up and look ahead will cover topics including reports from the president and chairman, election of new members of the Board of Directors and any term renewals, a review of accomplishments since the last meeting, and actions planned to address vital issues facing the toy industry. A summary report of 2019 financial results will be presented. Free and open to all. Only members of The Toy Association may vote during the board election. No registration required.

1:30 PM

Toy Trends Briefing

1:30 - 2:30 PMLevel 1, Hall 1E, Room 1E09

Get an exclusive first look at the top toy trends of 2020 at The Toy Association's Toy Trends Briefing. Using examples from the show floor, our trend experts will highlight the hottest trends -- and tell you where to find them at Toy Fair. Free and open to all. No registration required.

4:00 PM

Annual General Meeting of The Toy Association

4:00 - 5:00 PMCreative Factor Theatre, Level 1, 1D/Special Events Hall Lobby

Open to members and non-members and free to all registrants and exhibitors, this year-end wrap-up and look ahead will cover topics including reports from the president and chairman, election of new members of the Board of Directors and any term renewals, a review of accomplishments since the last meeting, and actions planned to address vital issues facing the toy industry. A summary report of 2019 financial results will be presented. Free and open to all. Only members of The Toy Association may vote during the board election. No registration required.

Show hours: 9 AM - 6 PM

Check back for more information.

 

Creative Factor

All Toy Fair registrants are welcome to participate in a full schedule of free pitch sessions, roundtables, presentations, workshops, and panels focused on the interests and goals of inventors, designers, and others in the creative community, guided by the new Creative Factor Advisory Board.

Check back for more information.

 

Creative Factor Advisory Board

Brett Klisch

Brett Klisch

Creative Factor co-founder and creative director at Peru Meridian Studios

Brett Klisch is a 20-year veteran of the toy industry as owner and creative director of Peru Meridian Studios. Mr. Klisch's studio has designed, developed, and lead the manufacturing for toys that range from the biggest to the smallest companies, simple roto cast vinyl parts to complex motorized and electronic equipment.

With an original background in classical art and the performing arts, Mr. Klisch brings a showman's flair and a designer’s discipline to the many genres he has worked in. Whether fine art museum or circus, its all the same level of discipline and intensity for each and every project.

Robin Raskin

Robin Raskin

founder, Living in Digital Times

Robin Raskin is the founder of Living in Digital Times (LIDT), a team of technophiles who bring together top experts and the latest innovations to look at the intersection of lifestyle and technology. LIDT produces a number of notable conferences and expos at CES® and at conferences and events worldwide. The company’s trademark events include Last Gadget Standing, Digital Health Summit, HighTech Retail Summit, FashionWare, Fitness Tech Summit, Kids@Play Summit, The Digital Money Forum and others.

In a previous lifetime, Robin honed her tech chops at a variety of technology publications. She was a columnist for USA Today online, editor of PC Magazine, founding editor of FamilyPC magazine and was one of the founding contributors of Yahoo! Tech.  Author of six books, magazine publisher, blogger, TV and radio personality, Robin has been a thought-leader at the forefront of an ever-changing topic: what it means to be digital. Robin also serves on the board of the CTA Foundation and on the ACM Practitioners Board.

She lives in NYC and the Hudson Valley, with her husband, her three drop-in-now-and-then children, and closets full of obsolete technology.

Follow Robin on Twitter @RobinR and stay up to date on all things Living in Digital Times on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook.
Billy Langsworthy

Billy Langsworthy

co-founder, Mojo Nation

Billy Langsworthy is the co-founder of Mojo Nation, a body for the toy and game design community. The three pillars of Mojo Nation are to celebrate the work done by creators in this space, to usher new design talent into the industry and to help ensure the best ideas don’t just stay ideas. Mojo Nation runs the Play Creators Festival, a three day event held in London encompassing design conferences, pitching days, networking nights and a day designed to encourage product design students to take up careers in toy and game design. Away from the Festival, Mojo Nation has also launched the tech-toy focused Play Innovation Summit, as well as Toy Design Challenges for brands including Rubik’s, Mr Men/Little Miss and The Gruffalo, while also covering the toy and game design space online at Mojo-Nation.com. Prior to launching Mojo Nation, Langsworthy was the editor of UK toy and licensing trade titles ToyNews and Licensing.biz.

Matt Nuccio

Matt Nuccio

owner, Design Edge

Matt Nuccio is the owner of Design Edge, a toy and game development, marketing, manufacturing, inventing and consulting agency. They are headquartered in New York with two satellite offices in China. For over 30 years, Design Edge has been a leading development agency in the toys and games industry. For 4 years Matt co-chaired The Toy Association's associate panel, representing all designers and inventors in the toy industry. Currently, Matt sits on the board of directors of the United Inventors Association of America (UIA) and on the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (ChiTAG) advisory board. Matt also writes a column in Toy Family Entertainment magazine focusing on the toy industry and often lectures at the American International Toy Fair, ASTRA, Chicago Toy & Game Fair, and Hong Kong Toy Fair.

Show hours: 9 AM - 6 PM

Check back for more information.

 

Creative Factor

All Toy Fair registrants are welcome to participate in a full schedule of free pitch sessions, roundtables, presentations, workshops, and panels focused on the interests and goals of inventors, designers, and others in the creative community, guided by the new Creative Factor Advisory Board.

Check back for more information.

 

Creative Factor Advisory Board

Brett Klisch

Brett Klisch

Creative Factor co-founder and creative director at Peru Meridian Studios

Brett Klisch is a 20-year veteran of the toy industry as owner and creative director of Peru Meridian Studios. Mr. Klisch's studio has designed, developed, and lead the manufacturing for toys that range from the biggest to the smallest companies, simple roto cast vinyl parts to complex motorized and electronic equipment.

With an original background in classical art and the performing arts, Mr. Klisch brings a showman's flair and a designer’s discipline to the many genres he has worked in. Whether fine art museum or circus, its all the same level of discipline and intensity for each and every project.

Robin Raskin

Robin Raskin

founder, Living in Digital Times

Robin Raskin is the founder of Living in Digital Times (LIDT), a team of technophiles who bring together top experts and the latest innovations to look at the intersection of lifestyle and technology. LIDT produces a number of notable conferences and expos at CES® and at conferences and events worldwide. The company’s trademark events include Last Gadget Standing, Digital Health Summit, HighTech Retail Summit, FashionWare, Fitness Tech Summit, Kids@Play Summit, The Digital Money Forum and others.

In a previous lifetime, Robin honed her tech chops at a variety of technology publications. She was a columnist for USA Today online, editor of PC Magazine, founding editor of FamilyPC magazine and was one of the founding contributors of Yahoo! Tech.  Author of six books, magazine publisher, blogger, TV and radio personality, Robin has been a thought-leader at the forefront of an ever-changing topic: what it means to be digital. Robin also serves on the board of the CTA Foundation and on the ACM Practitioners Board.

She lives in NYC and the Hudson Valley, with her husband, her three drop-in-now-and-then children, and closets full of obsolete technology.

Follow Robin on Twitter @RobinR and stay up to date on all things Living in Digital Times on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook.
Billy Langsworthy

Billy Langsworthy

co-founder, Mojo Nation

Billy Langsworthy is the co-founder of Mojo Nation, a body for the toy and game design community. The three pillars of Mojo Nation are to celebrate the work done by creators in this space, to usher new design talent into the industry and to help ensure the best ideas don’t just stay ideas. Mojo Nation runs the Play Creators Festival, a three day event held in London encompassing design conferences, pitching days, networking nights and a day designed to encourage product design students to take up careers in toy and game design. Away from the Festival, Mojo Nation has also launched the tech-toy focused Play Innovation Summit, as well as Toy Design Challenges for brands including Rubik’s, Mr Men/Little Miss and The Gruffalo, while also covering the toy and game design space online at Mojo-Nation.com. Prior to launching Mojo Nation, Langsworthy was the editor of UK toy and licensing trade titles ToyNews and Licensing.biz.

Matt Nuccio

Matt Nuccio

owner, Design Edge

Matt Nuccio is the owner of Design Edge, a toy and game development, marketing, manufacturing, inventing and consulting agency. They are headquartered in New York with two satellite offices in China. For over 30 years, Design Edge has been a leading development agency in the toys and games industry. For 4 years Matt co-chaired The Toy Association's associate panel, representing all designers and inventors in the toy industry. Currently, Matt sits on the board of directors of the United Inventors Association of America (UIA) and on the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (ChiTAG) advisory board. Matt also writes a column in Toy Family Entertainment magazine focusing on the toy industry and often lectures at the American International Toy Fair, ASTRA, Chicago Toy & Game Fair, and Hong Kong Toy Fair.

Show hours: 9 AM - 4 PM

4:01 PM

Annual Toy Foundation Toy Bank Collection

4:01 PM

Exhibitors can impact the lives of children in need and make show wrap-up a breeze by donating product. At the close of Toy Fair, volunteers comb the show floor to gather donated samples for The Toy Foundation’s Toy Bank. As our way of saying thank you, all donors will receive a donation receipt for tax purposes and listings on The Toy Foundation website as well as in the 2021 Toy of the Year Awards Tribute Book. To sign up, visit Booth 5701 or email Elizabeth Max.