The Toy Fair 2011

Through the Google search engine I stumbled across the Toy Fair 2011, which conveniently was being held this week 25th-27th January. This will be held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, where 250 exhibitors will be attending. The Toy Fair is the only dedicated toy, game and hobby exhibition in the UK, and this week will see it celebrating its 58th anniversary. Exhibitors will range from large international companies to new start up companies, thousands of brand new toys, games and hobbies will be presented in one place, at the UK’s largest gathering of toy industry professionals, offering just under 19,000 square metres of space devoted to toys and the like.

Sponsors of the event include: Hexbug, Characters, Golden Bear, Spin Master, Bluw Toys, KidKraft, Tomy, Ups, Baby Centre, Turner, Ravens Burger and Marvin’s Magic.
Some of these brands I had actually never heard of, but research revealed that there could be potential to explore these further with regards to my product development concept.

The Toy Fair is also the meeting place for the wider industry surrounding play. For example The National Toy Council (NTC) is a forum that was set up by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) to bring together organisations and individuals connected with children, or concerned with their welfare. With regards to promotion, the NTC produces consumer leaflets on toy-related topics, issues/statements/press releases as necessary.

Also, and perhaps more relevant, the Play Research Network (PRN) in an informal, unconstituted group open to everyone involved in all aspects of research, it is about play and children of school age – its primary aim is for an exchange of information and ideas. In order to make sure that I can contact these people at the event, I will phone in advance:

Phone: +44(0)20 7843 6016

This is also a great networking opportunity, as there is a ‘press lunch’. This is available on the first day of the Toy Fair; therefore this is the day which I will visit.