As of October 1, every Spielwarenmesse exhibitor can enter new products for the ToyAward competition. If they win, their products will be highlighted among the 75,000 new items presented at Nuremberg. A panel of 11 jurors selects products for the coveted new award in four age group-specific categories, based on children’s development stages: baby and infant (0 to 2 years), preschool (3 to 5), school kids (6 to 10), and teenager and family (from 11 years).
The submitted products must impress the panel of experts—consisting of educationalists, market researchers, retailers, and experts on toy safety—in light of several criteria. They include originality, safety, fun factor, finishing and quality, coherence of the product concept, and market potential. The panel nominates three products in every category, and Spielwarenmesse eG, which bestows the ToyAward, presents all 12 nominees at the main press conference on January 22.
The winners of all four categories are announced at the opening ceremony on January 27. Exhibitors can register and submit up to three new products between October 1 and December 31. Full details are available at www.toyaward.com.
