Toy Industry Association's Fall Toy Preview to Remain at Dallas Market Center through 2018

The Toy Industry Association (TIA) Executive Committee and Board has announced that Fall Toy Preview, the toy industry's singular fourth-quarter preview event, will stay in Dallas through 2018, taking place on the following dates: September 27-29, 2016; September 26-28, 2017; and September 25-27, 2018.

"After gathering participant feedback and holding extensive discussions about the pros and cons of various alternative locations, we are pleased to announce that we have recommitted to the Dallas Market Center for the next three years," says Steve Pasierb, TIA president and CEO. "For the last decade, Fall Toy Preview has worked tremendously well for many in the toy industry. We look forward to further strengthening and enhancing the marketplace as we continue to incorporate business, networking and educational opportunities to benefit attendees who flock to the show from around the globe."

TIA's Trade Show Committee, made up of a range of member company types and sizes, conducted a 10-year review of Fall Toy Preview to determine whether the event's current timing, location and strategy position the show for both short- and long-term success. Alternate sites, date options, rental fees and ancillary costs were explored before it was determined that either Dallas or Los Angeles would be the best fit for the show. Because LA posed several challenges, including a lack of available venues for 2016 and 2017, the Trade Show Committee submitted a consensus proposal to keep the fall marketplace in Dallas through 2018. The proposal was recently approved by TIA's Executive Committee and Board.

Fall Toy Preview 2015 will bring together hundreds of buyers from mass, mid-tier and specialty retail outlets who rely on the show to jumpstart fourth quarter planning and negotiate customized products and exclusive lines months in advance of in-store delivery. Nearly 350 toymakers, many with open booths or display areas, will showcase new and beloved brands that will drive holiday '16 toy sales. Fall Toy Preview will take place October 6-8, 2015 at the Dallas Market Center. Buyers, trade guests and exhibitors may register for Fall Toy Preview online.

Top Toy Trends for 2015 Announced by Toy Industry Association

During this year's Toy Fair, discover which key trends will dominate toy sales through Holiday 2015 at the annual Toy Trends Briefing, an exclusive presentation hosted by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), owner and operator of the 112th North American International Toy Fair. Toy Industry Association's toy and play experts will provide analyses of each trend and live product demos using playthings from the show floor. A Q&A session will be held immediately following the presentation. Show staff will also be on-hand to assist media with mapping out their visits to exhibitor booths. Throughout the year, TIA's team of experts work with hundreds of global toy companies to identify the products and trends that will drive consumer spending on toys, games and related youth entertainment products.

The presentation will be held Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 4 p.m. in Room 1E21 (Hall E – lower level) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Toy Fair will be held from February 14-17, 2015. Registration is mandatory for access to Toy Fair 2015.

Toy Industry Association Unveils Nominees for 2015 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards

The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced the finalists for the prestigious 2015 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). Until January 11, 2015, toy lovers of all ages can visit the Toy Awards website to vote for their favorite toys, games and properties across 12 categories. The 2015 finalists were selected from more than 600 nominees submitted for consideration by 159 companies. Sixty academics, journalists, toy trend experts, play therapists, toy inventors and designers, and toy retailers staffed the nomination committees that narrowed the field to the slate of finalists.

Votes from mass retailers, specialty toy retailers, media, TIA members and consumers will be weighted and used to determine each of the 12 category winners. The winners—including the overall Toy of the Year and the People's Choice awards—will be announced at the TOTY Awards ceremony held on Friday, February 13, 2015 as the kick-off to the 112th North American International Toy Fair. "From innovative toys that inspire kids to explore their surroundings, to active games that encourage families to play together, this year's TOTY finalists shine a spotlight on the critical role that toys play in the healthy development of children," says Ken Seiter, TIA vice president of strategic communications. The finalists in each category are:

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
• Crayola Paint Maker by Crayola
• DOHVINCI STYLE & STORE VANITY Kit by Hasbro, Inc.
• Hot Wheels Airbrush Auto Design by Mattel, Inc.
• It's My Biz by Fashion Angels
• LEGO Mixels by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Roominate Chateau by Roominate
• Washi Tape Stickers by Klutz

BOY TOY OF THE YEAR
• AIR HOGS ROLLERCOPTER by SPIN MASTER
• Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue Fire Blastin' Dusty Crophopper by Mattel, Inc.
• Marvel Super Hero Mashers by Hasbro, Inc.
• Max Tow Truck by JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
• NERF N-STRIKE MEGA THUNDERBOW by Hasbro, Inc.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Action Figures by Playmates Toys
• ZOOMER DINO by SPIN MASTER

E-CONNECTED TOY OF THE YEAR
• BARBIE Fashion Design Maker Doll by Mattel, Inc.
• Kurio Xtreme by Techno Source
• LeapTV by LeapFrog
• LEGO FUSION by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Skylanders Trap Team by Activision Publishing, Inc.
• Tiggly Counts by Tiggly / Kidtellect, Inc.
• Virtual Design Pro by Crayola

EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR
• GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope by Educational Insights
• GoldieBlox and the Builder's Survival Kit by GoldieBlox, Inc.
• InnoTab MAX by VTech
• LeapBand by LeapFrog
• LEGO Technic by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Little Scholar by School Zone Publishing
• Remote-Control Machines DLX by Thames & Kosmos

GAME OF THE YEAR
• Bounce-Off Game by Mattel, Inc.
• Disney Eye Found It Game by Wonder Forge
• Kanoodle Genius by Educational Insights
• MOUSTACHE SMASH by SPIN MASTER
• Peek-A-Doodle Doo! by Fat Brain Toy Co.
• SHARK MANIA by SPIN MASTER
• Simon Swipe by Hasbro, Inc.

GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR
• Barbie Endless Curls by Mattel, Inc.
• Cool Baker Magic Mixer by SPIN MASTER
• Design Your Own Jewelry – Charm Bracelet Kit by Sugar Lulu
• Disney Princess Palace Pets: Magic Dance Pumpkin by Blip Toys
• Doc McStuffins Walk N' Talk Doc Mobile Doll by Just Play
• LEGO Disney Princess by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Shopkins Small Mart Playset by Moose Toys

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
• Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset by VTech
• Gymotion Activity Playland by Yookidoo • In My Room Jr. – Mr. Happy Moon by Uncle Milton Industries• Lamaze Pippin the Push Along Pup by TOMY International
• PipSquigz by Fat Brain Toy Co.
• Tree Top Adventure by The Manhattan Toy Company
• Twinkling Firefly Frog by Cloud b

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
• Hot Wheels Street Hawk by Mattel, Inc.
• Laser Maze by ThinkFun, Inc.
• Loopa by Yvolution
• MiP by WowWee
• OGOBILD with AnimateIt! Studio Kit by OgoSport LLC
• Osmo by Tangible Play, Inc.
• Ozobot by Evollve Inc.

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
• Fantasia Bubble Machine by Bubble Blitz by Imperial Toy
• Firetek Bow by Zing Toys
• FUZE Cyclone Water Blaster by Skyrocket Toys
• Kidoozie Hop & Squeak Pogo Jumper by International Playthings • Nerf Rebelle Dolphina Bow by Hasbro, Inc.
• Razor PowerRider 360 by Razor USA LLC
• Y Fliker LIFT by Yvolution

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
• Camp Site by PLAYMOBIL
• Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile by Just Play
• Kidizoom Smartwatch by VTech
• LEGO Juniors by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• PAW PATROL LOOKOUT HQ by SPIN MASTER
• Razor Jr. Zombie and Monster Kix scooter by Razor USA LLC • Snow Glow Elsa by JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
• Disney's Frozen (The Walt Disney Company)
• Minecraft Series 2 (Mojang/Jazwares LLC)
• PAW PATROL (SPIN MASTER)
• Skylanders Trap Team (Activision Publishing, Inc.)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)
• THE LEGO MOVIE (The LEGO Group)

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
• Balance Boat: Endangered Animals Game by BeginAgain
• Gravity Maze by ThinkFun, Inc.
• Green Toys Safe Seas Set by Green Toys
• Magnetron by Tegu
• Monster Sewing Workshop by Thames & Kosmos
• Squigz by Fat Brain Toy Co.
• VEX Robotics Spider, HEXBUG by Innovation First International

Top Toy Trends of 2014 Announced by Toy Industry Association (TIA), the Official Voice of Toy Fair

The Toy Industry Association unveiled this year's hottest playthings during a packed seminar for media and buyers at their 111th American International Toy Fair. The toys, games and youth entertainment products revealed at the "Toy Trends Tea" seminar will be appearing in stores now through the Holiday 2014 shopping season.

A summary of the six top trends follows:

• LARGER THAN LIFE
  Large-sized toys are becoming increasingly common in just about every category, from plush and play sets to RCs and building toys. As a counter-balance to the micro-sized trend seen in years past, these toys engage kids in imaginative role-play activities and make impressive gifts for special occasions. They don't all come with hefty price tags, either – the value-conscious shopper will find many "BIG" toys at affordable prices.
  
  
• RC RAMPAGE
  Playtime will shift into high gear thanks to an influx of innovative remote-controlled vehicles for various ages and at varying price points. Older kids with a 'need for speed' will have plenty of options to choose from, including helicopter RCs and vehicles that launch projectiles. Animal-themed and licensed RCs based on popular entertainment properties will engage younger children and promote active and imaginative play.
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• FULL "STEAM" AHEAD!
  Educational toys, games and crafts that teach kids STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) are heating up in the toy aisle and getting kids of all ages, interests and abilities excited about learning. Toymakers are increasingly incorporating storytelling and other artistic components into science, engineering and building toys to get more kids than ever on board with STEAM.
  
  
• FRIGHTFULLY FUN: ZOMBIES, MONSTERS AND MORE!
  Vampires were hot … but now zombies and monsters are all the rage, thanks to a rise in popularity of zombie-themed movies, TV shows and video games. Ghoulish action figures and dolls with relatable characters and back-stories are less frightening for younger kids, while older boys and girls will get a kick out of 'gross out' toys. These toys not only have the ability to transport children to mysterious worlds – they also teach them that it's OK to be different and stand out from the crowd.
  
  
• RETRO / BACK-TO-BASICS
  First identified by TIA in 2013, the retro and back-to-basics trend is alive and well this year thanks to a huge abundance of classic toys and games slated to hit store shelves. Today's parents and grandparents fondly remember these playthings from their own childhoods and are excited to share them with the little ones in their lives.
  
  
• CUSTOM BUILT
  2014 will take building to a whole new level. In addition to building and construction toys, this trend extends across several toy categories – from arts and crafts to action figures – and encompasses playthings that allow kids to create, customize and personalize to reflect their unique tastes, styles and imaginations.