schedule of events

ASTRA's Night in New York

6:30 - 8:30 PMThe Paramount, 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Enjoy live entertainment right in the heart of NYC at the historic Paramount Theater, home to performances by legendary musicians including Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Jerry Lewis the Andrews Sisters and The Animals. Learn more and register.

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.

Experiential Retail (AR) #1 Big Dreams for Little Kids

10:00 - 10:40 AMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

How will kids design the future? By playing with their toys and imaginations today. Learn how Azi is melds the cool and playful culture of a startup paired with the learning to create a new kind of play experience.

Kids & STEM

11:00 - 11:40 AMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

One of the brightest spots in the tech toy marketplace are STEM and STEAM toys, fostering Science, Engineering, Technology, Math and the Arts. But not all STEM toys are created equal.Our experts provide the STEM-lessons you need to avoid the hype.

Character Photo/Meet & Greet

11:45 AM - 12:30 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Don't leave Toy Fair without your character photo. Meet everyone from Mario to Peppa Pig!

Content Creators: Handle with Care

1:00 - 1:40 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

The Art of Play: From Sketch to Shelf

2:00 - 2:40 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Featuring a panel made up of top illustrators, art directors and designers, this session delves into the process a concept goes through – from a sketch to sitting on the shelves; covering the design and packaging decision that can often make or break a promising idea.

Diverse Product for Diverse Audiences

3:00 - 3:40 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

Global Market Research: Japan

11:30 AM - 12:30 PMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E11

Registration is required for this program, which also includes Global Market Research: U.S. The program is free for members of The Toy Association; non-members pay only $99 to attend 1 or both sessions. During this session, presenters will highlight:

• Demographics - population, kids 0-14 population, and geographic trends
• Social and economic trends
• Toy industry trends
• Safety regulations
• Retail channels
• Promotional tools and media
• Gift-giving occasions and shopping behavior
• Brand preferences/trends
• Super Heroes
• Kids' daily routines from wake-up till bedtime
• Kids' play time
• Kids and digital (screen time)
• Pocket money

Licensing 101

10:00 - 11:00 AMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E09

At this seminar, you'll get a solid grounding in how a trademark licensing deal comes together, including basic terminology and how a deal is structured. What do you need to consider as a brand owner looking to find potential licensees? How should a manufacturer evaluate a brand, character, or children's program? What are some of the keys to forming a rewarding partnership?

Licensing Session with Informa

3:30 - 4:30 PMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E11

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

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.

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.

2020 Wonder Women Awards

6:00 - 10:00 PMPier 60, Chelsea Piers, New York City

Honoring the brightest women in toys, licensing & entertainment, the WIT Wonder Women Awards is an annual celebration of the industry's most remarkable leaders and changemakers. Learn more and register.

Licensing Session hosted by Licensing International

10:00 - 11:00 AMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E11

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

Licensing Session #2 with Informa

3:30 - 4:30 PMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E11

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

Global Market Research: U.S.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E11

Registration is required for this program, which also includes Global Market Research: U.S. The program is free for members of The Toy Association; non-members pay only $99 to attend 1 or both sessions. During this session, presenters will highlight:

• Demographics - population, kids 0-14 population, and geographic trends
• Social and economic trends
• Toy industry trends
• Safety regulations
• Retail channels
• Promotional tools and media
• Gift-giving occasions and shopping behavior
• Brand preferences/trends
• Super Heroes
• Kids' daily routines from wake-up till bedtime
• Kids' play time
• Kids and digital (screen time)
• Pocket money

Character Parade

9:00 AMCrystal Palace 3 B Entrance

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.

Style for the Camera: Mitchel Wu Toy Photography

9:30 - 10:00 AMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

What's About the Box?

10:20 - 10:50 AMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

E-commerce, Sustainability, Reduced Display Areas: What are Packagers Biggest Challengers?

Robots at Retail and Retailtainment

12:30 - 1:10 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

From room service to truck unloading, from delivery to your door to being your new companion, the robots are here. This Robots on the Runway parade will ask you to explore your relationship with your co-working robot buddies.

Is Sustainable Attainable?

4:30 - 5:00 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Brett Klisch will be hosting a panel session on sustainable manufacturing in the 21st century. Topics will range from recyclable materials, upcyled material, bio plastics, and reducing non renewables from the manufacturing pipeline.

ASTRA's Share the Fair

8:00 - 9:00 AMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E11

Feeling like you just don't have enough time to see all the amazing new products and vendors at Toy Fair? ASTRA's got you covered. At Share the Fair, enjoy a breakfast buffet and coffee while you swap stories and discuss the hot new toys and children's products you've seen in the aisles with your fellow retail members. Open to ASTRA member retailers only.

Toy Association Credit Meeting

8:00 AM - 4:00 PMToy Association Office

The one-day conference features a “Review of Accounts” and retail expert-led sessions covering a variety of topics including credit, finance, operations, and logistics. The event also includes an interactive workshop that provides insights into the challenges of the credit and collection environment and a "Beyond Credit” breakout session for senior finance and operations executives. Learn more.

Safety & Compliance Update

9:30 AM - 12:30 PMLEVEL 1, HALL 1E, ROOM 1E09

The Toy Association will host an update on pending state and federal legislation impacting the toy industry and an overview of the association's efforts to prevent passage of any harmful legislation or regulation.

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.

Kids are Seen and Heard: How Familys Are Influencing the Toy Industry

10:30 - 11:10 AMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Meet two of the coolest of the kid content creators. Find out how they grapple with the issues involved in content creation today.

How AR, VR and Voice Sell Toys

11:30 AM - 12:10 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

For healthy toy sales many believe we've got to turn miles of aisles into miles of experiences. Find out how the most forward thinking retailers are using new technologies to keep it fresh.t's clear that retailers adopting novel ideas are winning the day. Meet some of the most original thinkers.

Robots: Coming of Age

12:40 - 1:20 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

Voice Activated Games

1:40 - 2:20 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

Take it Outdoors

2:40 - 3:20 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Exploration of physical and digital play.

March of the STEM Robots

4:00 - 4:40 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

One of the brightest spots in the kid's unvierse of play are STEM toys. Come to our parade of robots and see STEM come to life.

Annual Toy Foundation Toy Bank Collection

4:01 PMJavits Center - All Levels

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.

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.

March of the STEM Robots

10:00 - 10:40 AMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

One of the brightest spots in the kid's unvierse of play are STEM toys. Come to our parade of robots and see STEM come to life.

Getting Smart About Social Media

11:00 - 11:40 AMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

State of VR for Kids

12:00 - 12:40 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

Please check back soon for session description and speakers.

Staying Out of Trouble: Is Your Brand or Product Ready to Pitch, License or Sell?

1:00 - 1:40 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

You put a lot of time, money and effort into creating your brand or product. Before you can pitch, license or sell it, you need to protect it! Wherever you are in the process, this session will help you identify what is protectable about your brand, how to make sure you own it and other simple things you can do to get ready for potential pitches, sales, licensing deals and even crowdfunding activities. This session is for brand owners, inventors, licensors, licensees and anyone interested in learning more about brand and product protection.

Personalizing Play/Children's Entertainment

2:00 - 2:40 PMCreative Factor Theater (Hall 1D Lobby)

This session will dive into how we personalize children's entertainment without infringing on their privacy.