The U.S. toy industry’s first in-person trade show of 2022 is a wrap.
ToyFest West became the unlikely first event of 2022 following the cancelation and subsequent reimagining of Toy Fair New York. According to the Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA), more than 500 exhibitors lined the halls at the Expo and World Market Center in Las Vegas last week. Buyers from independent toy stores, gift shops, and specialty retailers from 39 states were in attendance alongside visitors from Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Guam, Mexico, and the UK.
“ToyFest 2022 was bustling with buyers from all over the country, jam-packed with lots of amazing new toys, and the convention hall was filled with energy and excitement,” says ToyFest President Sandy Lepire. “It was so great to be back with all our friends in the industry. Retailers, manufacturers, and sales reps came together in Las Vegas for the first time since 2020 and it was an incredible success!”
Organizers at WTHRA expect next year’s show to be even bigger and have promised that dates for 2023 will be revealed in the near future. Looking ahead, the shifting trade show calendar for the U.S. toy industry is expected to impact order cycles and scheduling for specialty retailers. WTHRA says that as “major trade shows become more expensive and less accessible to the independent retailer, ToyFest will continue to make the event affordable, fresh, and relevant.”
