A blizzard of toys awaits snowed-in buyers
By Brent Felgner -- Playthings, 2/12/2006 11:51:00 AM
NEW YORK—The Blizzard of '06 has knocked the opening day of the American International Toy Fair on its ear, but despite that, the show at the Javits Convention Center and showrooms at the International Toy Center are open and doing business.
Blizzard conditions developed throughout the Northeast overnight and are expected to dump up to 29 inches of snow in spots around the metropolitan area before tapering off later today. The National Weather Service recorded 22.8 inches of snow on the ground at 11 a.m. in Central Park, surpassing the infamous Blizzard of 1888 and making this the second heaviest snowfall in New York's recorded weather history. The heaviest occurred in December 1947 when 26.4 inches was recorded.
"The buses are running, but because of the snow and street conditions, they are slow and people are late in arriving," said Toy Industry Association President Tom Conley. "But we're open for business, and we can just keep our fingers crossed."
And in a message directed to retail buyers, he said: "It's a four-day show, so please come. There are almost 1,400 companies here waiting to show their wares and talk to buyers. We hope they'll make their way here."
Conley said it's too early to gauge just how much traffic is off; he'll have a better idea of that later in the day. But pre-registration was up 5 to 6 percent over last year.
A clearly frustrated TIA Chairman Arnie Rubin, president of Funrise Toys, said that perhaps 400 people showed up at this morning's ribbon cutting opening the Javits' show, compared to the 2,600 expected at the ceremony.
"Horrendous," he offered. "We've got buyers who never made it out [on flights to New York] yesterday and can't get out today and even some staff who can't make it in."
Rubin also complained bitterly about snow removal commitments at the Javits Center, blaming the city for failing to meet its obligations. Javits is a New York State owned facility.
"What Plan B could there be?" he responded when asked about alternatives. "There's no contingency for a blizzard like this.”
If the snow wasn't enough, part of the International Toy Center was briefly evacuated at around 9 a.m. this morning due to a smokey car fire outside, LeapFrog spokesman Gita Chandra reported. She said traffic in LeapFrog's showroom was surprisingly good, given the weather outside, but could provide no specific information on cancellations or postponements of retail appointments.
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