NEW YORK, February 11, 2003 - "Fall Mass Market Toy Expo, The Show for Early Buyers," is the official name of the new early mass market toy industry show to take place October 21-23, 2003 in New York City, it was announced today by Thomas Conley, president, Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA™), the owner and sponsor of the new event. TIA is also the owner/manager of the American International TOY FAIR™, held annually in Manhattan's Javits Convention Center and at showrooms in the Toy District.
Manufacturers who wish to exhibit at the Fall Mass Market Toy Expo may pick up an Information Packet during the 2003 TOY FAIR at the following locations: at the Javits Center, Level 3, in the TIA Booth (Crystal Palace) and the Show Office (rear of Crystal Palace), and at the TIA offices at 1115 Broadway, Suite 400. According to Laura N. Greene, TIA's Vice President of Trade Shows and Meetings, "Those suppliers who do not maintain permanent showrooms in New York will have the opportunity, through TIA, to rent temporary exhibit space at the International Toy Center (ITC), with a discount offered to TIA member companies."
According to Mr. Conley: "The Fall Mass Market Toy Expo will fulfill the need for a modified buying timetable that many mass market toy retailers have asked us to support. Attending this new fall show will provide these customers with a venue to meet with the vendors who serve this specific market, and by completing a majority of their buying decisions prior to arriving in New York in February, will allow them to focus on the smaller manufacturers at the American International TOY FAIR."
The Fall Mass Market Toy Expo is one element of TIA's new trade show calendar for the industry, details of which were released last October, outlining the creation of a fall show for large retailers who require an extended timetable and long lead time for making buying decisions, and a refocusing on the specialty market at the February TOY FAIR.
Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA™), formerly known as Toy Manufacturers of America, was established in 1916 and is the trade association for North American producers and importers of toys, games and entertainment products for children and families. TIA also owns and operates American International TOY FAIR™, a trade-only event, held each February at the Javits Convention Center and at showrooms in Manhattan's Toy District.
