BY: Liliana Rocio, Senior Editor For World Liberty TV

The 115th North American International Toy Fair opened its doors this morning at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, where tens of thousands of global play professionals are gathered to see hundreds of thousands of innovative toys and games before they hit store shelves.

Open through Tuesday, February 20, Toy Fair ’18 is the Western Hemisphere’s largest and most important toy show, representing the creativity and vitality of the North American and global toy marketplace. Manufacturers, distributors, importers, retailers, licencors, inventors, and other toy industry representatives from six continents are at Toy Fair to do business and scout the latest toy and youth entertainment trends.

Produced by The Toy Association, the show is a massive celebration of toys and play, boasting 443,400 net square feet of exhibit space – the equivalent of nearly eight football fields filled with toys.

“New York City is the center of the global toy industry this week. At the Javits Center and across the city, more than 1,000 toy companies and some 30,000 attendees from over 100 countries are exploring the products that will be at birthday parties and under the tree this Christmas,” says Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association.

“Those who are fortunate enough to be here are getting a first-look at the products that will dictate this year’s biggest trends that drive both the $27 billion U.S. toy market and reach consumers around the world. Toy Fair ’18 is certain to be an outstanding experience for everyone in the toy and play community!”

Toy Fair is divided into distinct product zones to help media, buyers, and other guests find exactly what they need, from action figures and arts & crafts to games, dolls, educational toys, outdoor playthings, and everything in between. More than 150 first-time exhibitors will be at Toy Fair; many of these companies will be showcasing their unique, never-before-seen products in the Launch Pad section of the show.

World-class educational sessions and special events will be held throughout Toy Fair, including a toy trends briefing; licensing seminars; toy safety and compliance forums; global trade and market expansion research presentations; workshops for inventors and designers; and much more.

ABOUT THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR :Toy Fair is an annual event that is produced by The Toy Association. The largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere, Toy Fair takes place each February at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

The show brings together more than 1,000 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sales agents to showcase hundreds of thousands of toys and youth entertainment products to retail outlets and trade guests from 100 countries.

ABOUT THE TOY ASSOCIATION: Founded in 1916, The Toy Association, Inc. is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages.

The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $107.5 billion, and its 950+ members drive the annual $27 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry’s voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media.

The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago; produces the world-renowned North American International Toy Fair and Fall Toy Preview; and advocates on behalf of members around the world.

See more about the Toy Show 2018, in our World Liberty TV Gaming and Toy Review Channels by Clicking here.