Save the date to join us February 14 – 17, 2026 and February 20 –23, 2027 in New York City.
The Toy Association™ celebrated the grand opening of its new Toy Building in El Segundo today, located in the heart of LA’s rapidly growing “Toy District.” The Toy Building brings together global toy companies, mid-sized manufacturers, and emerging startups, whose showrooms will attract buyers, licensors, and key decision makers from around the world to preview toy prototypes, scout new toy trends, and hold private meetings — representing a significant milestone for the toy industry and El Segundo’s local economy and commercial real estate sector.
Have a game-changing idea or the next big thing in play? Toy inventors and designers are now invited to apply for a chance to pitch their ideas to top toy and youth entertainment professionals and manufacturing partners at Toy Fair® this February. The Creative Factor Inventor Day program is now accepting submissions through Friday, October 31.
People of Play™, a division of The Toy Association™, is marking a milestone with the 20th anniversary of its Young Inventor Challenge® (YIC), a program that has introduced thousands of kids to the toy and game industry over the past two decades. To celebrate, People of Play has launched a fundraising campaign running from September 1 to 20 with a goal of raising $20,000 to help sustain the program for the next generation of inventors.
Alongside year-round showroom appointments with retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Five Below, Learning Express, CAMP, Marshalls/TJMaxx, and more, the global toy industry will come together for networking, philanthropy, and education during LA Fall Preview Market Weeks (Sept. 8-19) to set the stage for innovation and growth in 2026.
If your company is showcasing 2026 products in Los Angeles this fall, don’t miss your chance to meet with The Toy Association’s trends team during LA Fall Preview® Market Weeks (September 8–19). The deadline to book an appointment is August 31.
Toy Fair® 2026 exhibitors are encouraged to sign up for the upcoming Toy Fair Exhibitor Academy session, “Visual Merchandising Initiative & Reimagination Awards,” taking place Thursday, August 28 at 2 p.m. (Eastern).
The full agenda is now available for “The Future of Licensing Executive Summit,” taking place Wednesday, September 10 at The Toy Building during The Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview. Sessions will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Industry thought leaders have until this Friday, August 22 to submit presentation applications for Toy Fair® University, taking place throughout Toy Fair from February 14 to 17, 2026 at the Javits Center in New York City.
The Toy Association™ will host a Member Forum at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9 at the Toy Building (101 Continental Boulevard) during the LA Fall Preview®.
Potential exhibitors can apply to secure booth space, private meeting suite space, and lock in promotional opportunities for the show, taking place February 14 to 17 at the Javits Center in New York City.
Taking place from 2 to 7 p.m., the summit will offer fresh insights for the global licensing community. Registration is now open.
The Toy Association™ has announced the slate of events taking place during the LA Fall Preview® Market Weeks, taking place September 8 to 19 in Los Angeles. The lineup complements buyer-seller meetings taking place during the Fall Preview period in showrooms at the new Toy Building (101 Continental Boulevard) and throughout LA.
The deadline is approaching for the toy community to submit their nominations for the 2026 Toy Industry Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed upon individuals in the industry. Nominations may be submitted online through Friday, August 8.
Will your company be showing 2026 product in Los Angeles this fall? Be sure to schedule a meeting with The Toy Association’s trends team to showcase your latest launches and line extensions. Insights gathered during these appointments inform the Association’s annual “Toy Trends Briefing” at Toy Fair® and are used throughout the year in media and influencer outreach, including national TV and print opportunities. All embargoes will be honored.
Time is running out to nominate toy industry trailblazers for the 2025 Toy & Game Innovation Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, presented by People of Play™ (POP), a division of The Toy Association™. Anyone in the industry may submit a nomination by August 2, 2025.
Nominations are officially open for the 26th Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards, taking place February 13, 2026 at Pier Sixty in New York City. Toy companies, inventors, and other industry representatives are invited to submit their top products and entertainment brands by August 27, 2025 for consideration across 16 categories.
The Toy Association™ is reminding thought leaders from across the global toy and play community to apply to present at Toy Fair® University, taking place throughout Toy Fair from February 14 to 17, 2026 at the Javits Center in New York City. Experts are invited to submit their application for a chance to share their research, case studies, innovative ideas, and best practices with a highly engaged, global audience.
The toy community is invited to submit nominees for induction into the 2026 Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
Toy News Tuesday editors caught up with Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play™ at The Toy Association™, about what makes CHITAG a must-attend event and why these authentic, hands-on experiences matter so much.
As the countdown to Toy Fair® begins, The Toy Association™ has announced that general exhibitor applications are now open for the iconic event, taking place February 14 to 17, 2026 at the Javits Center in New York City. Potential exhibitors can apply for booth space or private meeting suite space.