D – At the International Toy Fair that was held in Nuremberg from February 1–5, 2023 the priority was on personal networking, product innovations as well as establishing new contacts. According to the official figures, over 2,100 exhibitors from 69 countries presented their product novelties at the exhibition grounds in Nuremberg – after a three year interruption for the makers of the show, this was not a matter of course. Christian Ulrich, spokesman of the Executive Board of the Spielwarenmesse eG stated, “We are delighted at the positive result that is almost on a par with the pre-COVID level and thus exceeded our expectations.” According to the organisers, 92% of the participants were satisfied to very satisfied with the outcome of the trade show.
Above all the country pavilion of the Ukraine attracted a great deal of media attention. The joint stand was represented at the International Toy Fair for the first time and the Ukrainian Ambassador, Oleksii Makeiev, visited the stand and urged people to buy products from his country. The fact that the product ranges were compiled in a targeted manner ensured a simplified orientation at many other areas of the International Toy Fair too. The exhibition zone, Toys go Green, which presented the theme sustainability on four theme islands was very well-attended. Furthermore, the International Game Inventors Convention with the participation of over 140 authors of games celebrated its premiere on the Friday of the show.
According to the official figures, in total 58,000 trade visitors from 128 countries attended the show. This corresponds to an 8% decrease compared to the last event, which was primarily due to absent guests from China and Russia. The amount of visitors from the American games market was on the other hand higher than ever and grew by just under 10%. Ulrich was satisfied with the restart: “The huge enthusiasm that was noticeable in all facets at this year’s International Toy Fair, is already having a positive effect on the next event: 83% of the exhibitors are firmly planning to participate again next year. Against the backdrop of the current developments on the global trade show landscape, the International Toy Fair offers the industry a stable anchor.“
The next edition of the International Toy Fair is scheduled for the end of January 2024. The exact venue date will be announced at the end of February 2023.
Photos: Spielwarenmesse eG, Christian Hartlmaier, Alex Schelbert
