Earlier this year, The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) announced ToyFest’s plans, Hall of Fame recipients, and its participation at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, March 3 – 5, 2024. The Board of Directors and Slate of Officers have spent many months making plans and exciting changes for the 2024 show. 2023 was the most well attended ToyFest show in the past two decades. Buyers came from all over the United States and beyond. The response was phenomenal, making the 2024 ToyFest all that more sensational to plan.
Among the sponsors of ToyFest 2024 are twenty-two companies, product lines, and brand images. Arcane Wonders, Douglas, Fat Brain Toy Co., Four Season General Merchandise, Fun In Motion, Gamewright, Goliath, Hansen, Las Vegas Market And More, Little Medical School, Magna-Tiles, Melissa and Doug, MW Wholesale, PlayVisions, Schleich, Sugar B Sales, The Good Toy Group, Toysmith, ttpm (Toys, tots, pets, and more), U.S. Toy, Wild Republic, and Winning Moves Games are companies that ToyFest would like to thank for their sponsorship. We thank you for participating in ToyFest; your support and collaboration are crucial to its success.
ToyFest has always exuded old-school Toy Industry tradition with a Gala night that celebrates independent toy store owners, iconic manufacturers, and top-notch sales reps by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. This event is always packed with old friends reconnecting with industry pals they haven’t seen since the last gathering. The ToyFest Gala will take place at Resorts World’s, Lily Ballroom Sunday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m. The Gala will be restricted to the first 550 people registered. This year, The Dinosaur Farm in South Pasadena, California will be awarded Retailer of the Year. The Hall of Fame recipients are Jan and Ken Hatch, retired from The Erin Griffin Group, Tad Kato from Wildthings, Sandy Lepire & Andrea Peterson from Sunshine Sales, and Bruce Reynolds from Toyology.
In addition to the Gala, other favorite events scheduled are Morning Masterpieces, found in The Play Room – The Expo South Hall Breakout Room, which offers buyers hands-on arts and crafts opportunities over breakfast Sunday, March 3 at 8:30 a.m. Buyers will have the opportunity to see, learn, and craft or play the newest and most creative kits and crafts on the market with thirteen vendors including Abacus Brands, Aqua Blocks, Bright Stripes, Crestar Ltd, DJECO, Eye Connect Crafts, Henry’s Toy Box, MW Wholesale, OOLY, Outset Media, Sky Castle Toys, TPG Creation, and U.S. Toy. The legendary ToyFest Game Night is a sold-out room on Monday, March 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the Play Room with eighteen vendors including Arcane Wonders, Bene World Toys, Blue Orange Games, Continuum Games, Czech Games Edition, Epoch Everlasting Play, Fun In Motion Toys, Funwares, Goliath, Hootenanny Games, Kids Table BG, Mukikim, Outset Media, Pallino, R&R Games, SD Toyz, Smart Toys and Games, and The Good Game Company. ToyFest offers dinner and drinks for anyone who attends and plays games.
ToyFest offers educational seminars to retailers to help them grow their businesses. The first seminar is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, at 3:00 p.m. in the Play Room with a focus on “Toy Talk” with The Toy Man, Rick Derr. He will be present to discuss sales, trends, and the Future of Indie Toy Stores. There will be a selection of cookies and coffee served. The second seminar is scheduled for Monday, March 4 at 8:30 a.m. with Colleen Clifford Hendon in the Play Room where she will discuss the topic of “Tools Are Toys, Mom.” This Seminar aims to educate people on how to increase customer engagement and sales through product knowledge. A continental breakfast will be provided.
On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., show manager, Carrie Scanlan will host Best of ToyFest where buyers will vote for products in nine categories. Those registered are asked to come prepared to share their best findings. The list is organized, tallied, and announced before the end of the show.
On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, ToyFest 2024offers a Raffle giving away $800 in cash each day as well as products donated by the vendors. Buyers will receive one raffle ticket for every order they place, giving them a chance to win each day, 30 minutes before the close of show. Buyers must be present to win. Finally, ToyFest has encouraged vendors to give their best ToyFest Show Special to make placing orders a little easier for the Retailers.
Attendee Registration is currently open for Buyers, Buyer Guests, Media, and R&D. All other vendors, sales representatives, or manufacturers will purchase a ToyFest All Access Pass thru the exhibitor registration portal on www.toyfestus.com.
ToyFest is slated to be a very busy show as the first National Toy Show of the Year. The Good Toy Group announced they are encouraging vendors to attend ToyFest 20244 to solidify terms for their catalog. They accomplished an immense amount of work at the 2023 show and would like to encourage vendors and their members to attend the 2024 show.
Dates and times for ToyFest 2024 are:
Saturday March 2, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm – Showrooms only & Seminar
Sunday March 3, 8:30 am to 10:00 pm – Morning Masterpieces, Expo, Showrooms, & Gala
Monday March 4, 8:30 am to 10:45 pm`– Seminar, Expo, Showrooms, & Game Night
Tuesday March 5, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm – Best of ToyFest, Expo & Showrooms
ToyFest is hosted by the Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA).