The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is ringing in the new year with a full slate of trade shows.
The 50th Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, the 15th Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, and the 22nd Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair opened to guests from around the world at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center this week. The shows are jointly organized by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt, featuring the theme “Innovative Play: A Legend Across Time.”
The fairs are themed Innovative Play: A Legend Across Time, signifying the shift in Hong Kong’s toy industry. Starting as plastic toy manufacturers in the past, the Hong Kong toy industry has moved toward brand-name development, and transitioned into developing STEM educational toys, smart toys, digital games, and green toys.
Opening Ceremonies were officiated by HKSAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan, HKTDC Chairman Dr. Peter KN Lam, HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong, and HKTDC Toys Advisory Committee Chairman John Tong. The three events are hosting more than 2,600 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions.
Honoring the overall theme, a photo gallery is available to guests to explore the full history of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair throughout its 50 years.
In addition to fairs past, new features are in store for the three shows this year. The upgraded Asian Toys and Games Forum, with the theme “Unlocking the Asian Market: Insights for the Toy Industry,” highlights the ever-growing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market. The forum features industry insiders from the AIJU Technological Institute, Naver Z, Euromonitor International, and SGS, all eager to discuss market trends.
Entirely new pavilions and zones are also launching for this year’s events. The ODM Hub, Collectible Toys Zone, Kidult World, and Green Toys Zone all target important industry trends. Kidult World focuses on the market of adult toy buyers, featuring Bulkyz Collections figurines and other toys popular with adult collectors. Eco-friendly goods get their moment to shine in the Green Toys Zone and beyond, with the Stationery & School Supplies Fair also hopping on the trend by offering more than 200 exhibitors a Green Leaf label, marking their products as eco-friendly.
The Baby Products Fair is launching new pavilions with the Selection of Europe and Zhejiang’s Huzhou pavilions, and bringing back old favorites with the Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong Children; Babies; and Maternity Industries Association pavilions. The fair is also hosting the Brand Name Gallery again, highlighting 220 toy brands and more than 40 baby product brands.
All three fairs are currently in full swing and will run until Jan. 11. Attendees can take advantage of the Exhibition+ model with the Click2Match platform assisting in the setup of online business meetings. Buyers can also use the Scan2Match service to scan QR codes at exhibitor booths and take note of favorite suppliers.
