Buyers to visit Asia, New York shows

The fall buying season is in full swing this month with two major shows in Asia and a smaller show in New York. The Far East shows include the Shanghai Toy Expo—International Trade Fair for Toys, Hobbies & Gifts—and the Hong Kong twin shows, International Toys & Gifts Show and the Asian Gifts Premium & Household Products Show. The American International Fall Toy Show is in New York.

Now entering its fourth year, the Shanghai Toy Expo—Oct. 18-20—is “already the biggest Chinese trade fair for the toy industry,” according to the fair's organizers, Spielwarenmesse eG and the China Toy Association.

They add that this year's show will feature more export-oriented exhibitors, noting that some 92 percent of the Chinese companies exhibiting at the fair have export intentions. Additionally, there will be a strong presence of international exhibitors. Altogether there is a 55 percent increase in new exhibitors compared with last year, while visitor registration exceeds last year's, as well.

The Expo's organizers are also offering a fringe program: Visitors can participate in a toy tour on October 19 to a Chinese toy factory. Full information is available at www.shanghai-toy-expo.de.

Following the Shangai expo, Hong Kong's “Mega Show” series begins. This year's series promises to offer international buyers even “more business opportunities during their October sourcing trip in Asia” than the show did last year, according to organizer, Kenfair International Limited.

Comprised of the Hong Kong International Toys & Gifts Show and Asian Gifts Premium & Household Products Show—collectively known as the October Shows-Mega Show Part One, which will be held Oct. 20-23, as well as Mega Show Part Two, Oct. 27-29, the series totaled more than 79,000 buyers and more than 3,900 exhibitors in 2004. “The branded trade fair series will be expanded in scale and scope in 2005 to ensure international buyers get the most out of their visit,” says a Kenfair spokesman. Additional show information is available at www.kenfair.com.

Sponsored by the U.S. Toy Industry Association, the American fall show—which will be held in the International Toy Center and surrounding neighborhood between October 24-27—is promoted as the “long-lead preview for mass merchandisers.”

This by-appointment-only show was created to service the extended business planning cycle of mass merchants who buy in volume. Manufacturers who wish to participate must currently sell to mass market accounts. Products shown by exhibitors are for fourth-quarter sales the following year only. —