Virtual Education

Toy Fair University

Toy Fair University – Your ultimate resource for insights, creativity, and innovation in the global toy and play industry. Dive into expert-led sessions that explore the latest trends, address emerging challenges, and deliver practical strategies to shape the future of play. Connect with industry leaders, ignite new ideas, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.

Toy Fair Exhibitor Tools

Stay on track with Tools emails, resources, and guidance throughout the Toy Fair 2027 planning cycle.

Visual Merchandising Initiative

A dynamic, open booth isn't just good design — it's required.

A dynamic, open booth isn't just good design — it's required. All exhibitors must dedicate at least 20% of their aisle-facing exhibit square footage to visible product display. This drives direct engagement with buyers and media and ensures Toy Fair delivers the high-impact experience attendees expect.

Things to note:

The Visual Merchandising Initiative applies to each booth space contracted by an exhibitor.
There's plenty of room for creativity — storefront designs, demonstration areas, low or plexi walls all meet the guidelines. This initiative does NOT mean no walls.
All booth designs must be submitted for review and approval by show management. Submission details will be available following Exhibitor Applications in 2027.

Exhibit Design Reimagination Awards

Recognizing the best of the best.

Now in its fourth year, the Exhibit Design Reimagination Awards recognize the best of the best. Every exhibiting company is eligible — no entry form, no fee. A panel of media professionals, tradeshow experts, and toy industry veterans will evaluate booths for aesthetics, functionality, and innovation as experienced by attendees on the show floor.

See the complete criteria, categories and 2026 winners

Toy Fair 2026 Tools

Everything you need to plan, prepare, and show up ready. Toy Fair 2027 exhibitors receive Toy Fair Tools emails throughout the planning cycle — packed with deadlines, resources, and updates to keep your preparation on track.

The following resources will be available later this year and throughout the Toy Fair 2027 planning cycle:

Toy Fair Tools Emails
Exhibitor Academy
Exhibitor Kit
Marketing Toolkit
Shipping & Move-In Logistics
And More!

Exhibitor Academy

Exhibitor Academy delivers eight sessions timed to key milestones in the Toy Fair 2027 planning cycle — some live webinars with real-time Q&A, others available on demand here and through Toy Fair Tools emails.

Have questions along the way? Don't wait — reach out to your Account Executive anytime. We're here to help!

VISUAL MERCHANDISING INITIATIVE & EXHIBIT AWARDS

Video Available September 9

Stand out on the show floor and get recognized for it. The Visual Merchandising Initiative gives exhibitors a platform to showcase their booth creativity, while the Exhibit Design Reimagination Awards celebrate the best of the best at Toy Fair 2027. This session covers:

Rules and requirements for building your booth space
Award categories and booth size breakouts
Assessment criteria for design and creativity
Eligibility guidelines and winner recognition at the show
And more!

YOUR ONLINE PROFILE

Video Available October 1

Learn to optimize your company profile in the Exhibitor Resource Center — the essential dashboard for all show preparations. This session guides you through updating your Toy Fair Mobile listing, crafting compelling descriptions, promoting show specials, and managing your personalized Toy Fair Checklist.

BASICS AND BEYOND

Video Available October 14

Your foundation for a successful show. This session covers Toy Fair 2027 from the ground up — Exhibitor Kit essentials, key deadlines, major show initiatives, and tools to guide your exhibit space planning.

FRESHMAN CLASS TOOLKIT

Live Webinar — November 11

Updated for 2027 — first time exhibiting at Toy Fair? This session is built for you. Get a practical walkthrough of everything first-time exhibitors need to know before the show, including:

Shipping your product
Booth setup and design
Exhibit Design Reimagination Awards
Strategies for standing out at the show
Hotel and staff registration — and more.

MOVING IN AND OUT OF THE SHOW

Video Available December 2

This session covers move-in and move-out at the Javits Center, including the Target Move-In Schedule, booth setup timing, and breakdown logistics. Whether shipping to the advance warehouse or directly to the show site, you’ll be ready.e

PR BOOTCAMP

Live Webinar — January 6

With nearly 1,000 top-tier reporters and content creators on the show floor, Toy Fair 2027 is one of the best Q1 opportunities of the year. This session gives you the strategies and tools to spotlight priority products, connect with industry-leading buyers and media, and schedule press previews that accelerate key partnerships.

TOY FAIR CHECKLIST

Live Webinar — January 13

Your final pre-show checklist. A comprehensive review of your Exhibitor Kit and to-do list so nothing falls through the cracks. Key topics include:

Shipping your product
Standing out at the show
Creating your company’s online profile
Booking your hotel and registering your staff
Discount deadlines — and so much more!

FRESHMAN CLASS ORIENTATION

Live Webinar — January 20

New for 2027, this session is designed for first-time exhibitors and covers what to expect at the show — from key show partners at the Javits Center, T3 Expo, and Cultivated, to exhibitor services, Toy Association membership benefits, and giving back through The Toy Foundation.

Beware of Hotel Booking and Attendee List Scams

Each year, scammers may target our attendees and exhibitors, attempting to sell attendee lists and solicit bookings at unauthorized hotels. The Toy Association and Toy Fair do not rent or sell email lists to third parties.

Hotel Booking Scams

Toy Fair is often the target of hotel scams. Scammers call or email attendees and exhibitors, claiming to represent The Toy Association and Toy Fair and encourage customers to book rooms using fake promotion codes at a variety of hotels close to the event. The Toy Association, Toy Fair, and onPeak (our hotel partner) will never send emails or place phone calls to individuals in order to promote specific accommodations. Any legitimate message to attendees will contain secure links to our approved hotels. If you receive emails or calls regarding discounted Toy Fair hotel accommodations, please do not engage with the sender, and delete the email.

Attendee List Scams

Scammers often impersonate The Toy Association and Toy Fair. If you receive emails proposing to sell our Toy Fair attendee lists, we encourage you to not engage with the sender and delete the email.