ToyFest concluded its 9th show in Las Vegas at the new Expo at World Market Center and its 60th Toy Trade Show since its inception in 1961. Toy & Gift Stores from across the US attended the Las Vegas Show including stores from 39 states, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Guam, Mexico, and the UK. “ToyFest 2022 was bustling with buyers from all over the country, jam packed with lots of amazing new toys, and the convention hall was filled with energy and excitement. It was so great to be back with all our friends in the industry. Retailers, manufacturers, and sales reps came together in Las Vegas for the first time since 2020 and it was an incredible success!” said Sandy Lepire, ToyFest President.
As the specialty market evolves and major trade shows become more expensive and less accessible to the independent retailer, ToyFest will continue to make the event affordable, fresh, and relevant. This year’s show was a success for those that attended. It was inviting, visually appealing and the buyers who attended wrote orders from the 500+ manufacturers that exhibited. ToyFest received positive feedback from buyers that participated in the Morning Masterpieces Kit Session, the ToyFest Gala, Game Night and how well organized it was. Bruce Barany of The General Store in Spokane, WA said “I had a great time over the course of 3-days. The whole experience was over-the-top for my first ToyFest and it will be a regular event for our store.”
There were more sponsors than ever this year at ToyFest. Bill St. John, Chairman of the Board said, “We are truly thankful to the Sales Agencies and Manufacturers who sponsor ToyFest.”
Morning Masterpieces Kit Session was packed full of buyers with a full breakfast and crafting to kick off the show. Eleven vendors opened their newest crafts and kits for buyers to try and take home. Box CanDIY, Crazy Aaron’s, Djeco, Funny Mats by Crestar, Kids Artistic Sense, Mindware, Ooly, Plus-Plus USA, Thames & Kosmos, The Pencil Grip, and Wrebbit Puzzles were the vendors who participated.
The Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association celebrated their 60-year anniversary at the ToyFest Gala. Bill St. John kicked it off with a little history of the organization. As always individuals from the toy industry were inducted into the Western Toy & Hobby Hall of Fame. This year Marlene & Charles Gabris of BrainyZoo Toys, Stephanie Sala from Five Little Monkeys, and Brian Turtle with Goliath were honored. Thinker Toys in Northern California was recognized with the Retailer of the Year accolade. At the end of the Gala, Bill St. John announced the new WTHRA President for the next two years will be Sandy Lepire, owner of Sunshine Sales. Lepire revealed the NW Game Day will be August 30, 2022, in Portland, OR and Sept. 1 in Long Beach for CA Game Day. The Gala was entertaining, the food was delicious, and toy industry enjoyed socializing with friends and collogues, creating an enchanting evening.
This year’s seminar on How to Sell Using Live Tools was a fascinating one and those that attended learned how to use Facebook Live to its fullest, how to capitalize on In-Store Live events and how using google ads with marketing teams can increase sales.
ToyFest Game Night was a fast and furious evening with nearly 100 attendees and 13 Game Sponsors including 345 Games, AMIGO Games, Continuum Games, Family Games America, Gamewright, Goliath, HABA USA, M&J Games, Smart Toys & Games, Sullivan’s Distribution, The Good Game Company, and Trend. ToyFest raffled $400 in cash +games to lucky buyers as an extra perk for attending. The night was packed full of fun with new games learned by all.
ToyFest raffled off nearly $3000 +product to buyers over the three days in the ToyFest Daily Raffle. For every order written buyers received a raffle ticket to win.
WTHRA appreciates the continued enthusiasm for ToyFest and looks forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas for the 2023 show. Dates will be announced soon.
For more information visit toyfestwest.com. ToyFest is hosted by WTHRA. For the trade only.