Toy history was made on February 18, 2022 when The Toy Foundation unveiled the winners for the prestigious 22nd annual Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) during a virtual event attended by play professionals and toy fans from around the world.
Dart Zone, the leading and preferred dart and blaster brand in the pro blaster community, is calling all blaster enthusiasts (14 years and older) to test their mettle on the battlefield of the Dart Zone Pro Tournament and be named the reigning Champion in this emerging sport. The winning team will take home the $10,000 grand prize and ultimate bragging rights as rulers of the foam dart world.
The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) Board of Directors met Thursday, January 20 and voted to move forward with ToyFest West. President Lawrence Nissen said, “There are many things to look forward to this coming March 9-11, 2022. One being, WTHRA will celebrate its Diamond Anniversary, 60 years of producing the finest toy show in the West! Another is that exhibitors are purchasing more booth space to prepare for the retailers, new and old who are registered for the show.”
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) announces that the in-person event for its Wonder Women Awards, originally set for Sunday, February 20, 2022, will be canceled due to the cancellation of Toy Fair New York and concerns over COVID 19. Instead, the organization will announce winners on March 1, 2022 via press release, and shortly thereafter, will deliver a special “Wonder Women at Home” experience to winners and honorees, with a Tribute Video to follow.
After weeks of uncertainty over its status amidst Omicron concerns and travel restrictions, Nuremburg Internatonal Toy Fair Spielwarenmesse has unfortunately been called off. Spielwarenmesse eG, the organizer of the event said the following in a mass email: “We are addressing you today with very disappointing news. We are unfortunately forced to cancel Spielwarenmesse 2022, at least in its stationary form in Nuremberg.
PLMA Global – a newly imagined, online private label trade show from the Private Label Manufacturers Association – combines the exhibitors and buyers from the organization’s industry-defining, in-person Chicago and Amsterdam events. PLMA Global will take place March 28 to 31, 2022. Exhibitors can sign up now by calling 1+212 972-3131 or emailing plmaglobal@plma.com.
After carefully considering the impact of the Omicron variant on the industry’s ability to travel internationally and meet in person at this time, Kidscreen has come to a difficult decision. Kidscreen Summit 2022, which was set to take place as a live event in Miami from February 14 to 17, has now been rescheduled for July 18 to 21.
The Toy Association, with the support of hundreds of exhibitors, buyers, and key governmental agencies, expects to safely host Toy Fair New York at the Javits Center from February 19-22, 2022.
It was the most wonderful time of year for more than 500 schoolchildren in the Atlanta area as Shaq-A-Claus (aka NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal) visited Wesley Lakes Elementary School on Monday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.