ToyFest, once the underfed, regional younger sibling of Toy Fair, has come into its own.Â
Making the jump from regional show to national stage is no small feat (especially as Toy Fair’s move from February to September left ToyFest alone in the post-holiday spotlight), but that’s exactly what ToyFest, once known as ToyFest West, did.
Six months later and with another ToyFest on the horizon, The Toy Book (TB) caught up with Show Director Carrie Scanlan (CS) to discuss what makes ToyFest tick, how the ToyFest team is approaching new challenges that accompany its national scale, and what attendees can expect at the second-ever national ToyFest, which takes place March 3-5 in Las Vegas’ World Market Center.
The Toy Book: How are you and your team feeling after some time to reflect on the first nationally focused ToyFest?
The ToyFest Board of Directors and Slate of Officers were very pleased with how the 2023 show turned out. The event had numbers similar to the turn of the century during the internet boom near 2000. It was full, alive, and busy. The retailers were happy with all the choices and the exhibitors were happy with the number of retailers in attendance and the orders placed.
TB: What worked on the first attempt at a national ToyFest? How do you anticipate ToyFest will evolve as we begin the countdown to next year’s event?
ToyFest works well in Las Vegas. It’s an easy city to fly into from anywhere in the U.S. and it’s a city with fun and excitement outside the trade show with decent weather. The other part that works for ToyFest is the location. Being in the World Market Center opens more doors for both retailers and vendors. Not only can retailers shop what ToyFest offers at The Expo, but they have additional options from the showroom’s Building C. All of this makes ToyFest favorable to attend. We anticipate exhibitors continuing to attend ToyFest with its continued favorable rates which should keep the retailers attending. Retailers and manufacturers are already signing up for 2024 and we expect another great show.
TB: What challenges did you and your team face when transitioning ToyFest from a regional show to a national one? How did you overcome those challenges?
Fortunately, challenges were minimal because the Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association has been organizing a show since 1961. ToyFest welcomes people with open arms in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.
TB: ToyFest declares on its homepage that it’s the first national toy show of the year. What is the significance of being the first show? What advantage does that give ToyFest?
ToyFest in February allows manufacturers to showcase the majority of their 2024 line with catalogs and sales materials ready for all customers. We know there are other toy and gift crossover shows before us, but hosting a show when manufacturers are ready with their full product lines allowed for more exhibitors to show at ToyFest, making it the first full show of the year in 2023.
TB: Sustainability is on the minds of many toy manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. How, if at all, is ToyFest approaching sustainability?Â
Sustainability is important to be aware of and ToyFest tries to do its part. ToyFest offers refillable water stations, recycling bins throughout the show site, only orders enough food so that little-to-none will go to waste, and limits the number of materials printed. In 2024, for the very first time, ToyFest will be introducing an app that will reduce even more printing. Finally, we understand that it’s expensive for manufacturers to return ship, so ToyFest has chosen the local Shriners Children’s Charity for vendors to donate toys, shelving units, and anything else that can be reused.
TB: This is ToyFest’s 10th year in Vegas. How will that milestone be celebrated?Â
ToyFest celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2022 (a year late due to COVID-19) and will celebrate its 70th year in 2031.
TB: Is there anything else that you’d like to share about ToyFest 2024 for retailers or manufacturers that might be interested in attending?
Manufacturers should know that ToyFest is an affordable show with a wide variety of buyers in attendance. For retailers, ToyFest is a one-stop shop to see manufacturers from A to Z!
Those interested in attending or exhibiting at ToyFest can visit toyfestus.com for full details.
