July 23, 2004

By: Leila Pellucci
Website: http://www.1st-in-toys.com

American International Outdoor Toy Show™ joins TIA Events Calendar

Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA™) announced that it will expand its international trade show offerings to support TIA members and the changing needs of their retail customers, specifically mass market and long-lead retailers.

Starting this spring, TIA will introduce the American International Outdoor Toy Show™ at Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix. The new show is targeted to mass market, long lead and underserved retailers, and will showcase spring and summer outdoor merchandise for 2005. For the second consecutive year, The American International Fall Toy Show™ (formerly the Fall Mass Market Toy Expo) will be held in New York City.

Retailers as diverse as mass marketers, specialty stores and other toy sellers serving unique distribution channels are capitalizing on the growing youth market by increasing the amount of square footage allotted to toys, explains Tom Conley, president, TIA. TIA’s new shows are designed to cater to their long lead buying schedules. Importantly, other industry associations have endorsed TIA’s expanded show schedule. Charles Riotto, president of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) noted: TIA’s new trade events are excellent venues for addressing the changing needs of manufacturers and retailers alike, particularly the buying timetables required to facilitate large-volume buying. LIMA member companies welcome the additional exposure for their brands that these shows provide.

Tony Laferrera, co-president of the United League of Toy Representatives Association (ULTRA) added: Our members who exhibited in the Fall Mass Market Toy Show were very pleased with the opportunity to meet with these important retailers at a crucial time of year.

Adding mass market events to the trade show calendar is also a plus for the specialty manufacturer and retailer, said Joanne Farrugia, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). This expansion has resulted in a new emphasis on the specialty market at the American International TOY FAIR in February.

Manufacturers of spring and summer products -- lawn, sky, water and sand toys -- as well as balls, bicycles & tricycles, boats, bubbles & sets, gardening sets, inflatable toys, kites/windsocks/banners, outdoor play equipment, radio control toys, ride-on vehicles, scientific/nature toys & kits, scooters, skates (roller/in-line/boards) and sports equipment/activities are eligible to exhibit. The Outdoor Toy Show will not be open to the consumer media or available for consumer press review. TIA member companies and non-members can exhibit, with TIA members eligible for a discount on booth space.

Also see: christmas kids toys

About The Author:

Leila Pellucci is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-toys.com.  Find fun kids educational toys and childrens wooden toys you enjoyed as a child.