Report of the International Toy Fair 2011

• Fair finishes with 79.000 visitors (2010: 76.637)
• Increasing internationalization
• Successful launching of Toys go green

The Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair Nürnberg 2011 signals that the toy industry is still on the up. After a strong year of business, the industry was full of optimism and ready for innovations and ideas. With its knowledge, innovation and network programme, the leading fair from 3-8 February 2011 generated many ideas and was rated exceptionally favourably. A total of 79,000 visitors came to Nuremberg (2010: 76,637).

The share of international visitors rose to 54 per cent (2010: 53 per cent). Most of the visitors from abroad came from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Great Britain, followed by Russia, which made it to the top ten visiting countries for the first time. The large international share of exhibitors (69 per cent) also proves that the International Toy Fair is the dominant marketplace for the industry. This is also emphasized by Nico Blauw, Managing Director of Upper Deck International B.V.: “The international share of visitors in Nuremberg is very large. In contrast to fairs such as New York, where the visitors are mainly from the USA and Canada, at the International Toy Fair we meet our customers from all over the world.” Mark Hoijtink, General Manager Northern Europe Hasbro, agrees: “Hasbro appears in Nuremberg with a team of more than 200 sales and marketing directors and sales managers. As we are expanding in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the importance of the International Toy Fair for us grows with increasing internationalization.” 

Companies that focus on Nuremberg invested heavily in their stand concept. Likewise Lego GmbH: “The great importance of the International Toy Fair has increased again and worldwide,” stresses Managing Director Dirk Engehausen. The exhibitors’ presentations and the new Mitte (central) entrance of the Nuremberg exhibition centre created a completely fresh new look for the International Toy Fair.

The Toys go green special also brought fresh colour into the discussions. Both exhibitors and traders received many ideas on how to implement the value creation chain in a more sustainable way. Over half the visitors rated the presentation of the theme islands as good or very good. Ernst Kick, Chief Executive Officer of Spielwarenmesse eG, made it clear that Toys go green is only the first step of a process that the fair organizers will continue over the coming years.

Besides Toys go green, the extensive range of ToyKnowHow included the Toy Business Forum and the 2nd Global Toy Conference. The visitors at the Toy Business Forum were particularly interested in the presentations on trends and the market. The conference, which took place on 8.2.2011, covered sustainability, toy safety, social networks and online marketing and attracted some 200 participants (2010: 110).

One striking aspect during the International Toy Fair was that buyers and traders increasingly looked for new products in 2011. This was shown by both the visitor survey and the heavily frequented InnovationCenter, where many visitors obtained an overview of the latest products in the presentation area. Here they also voted for the main winner of the ToyAward from the winners of the five categories: Yookidoo’s Stack `N` Spray Fountain in the category Baby&Infant (0-2 years) won the most votes and the prize of 20,000 euros for its fountain for small children. The colourful trays can be combined in various ways to change the fountains. The visitors rated the range of products in the newly integrated product group Baby and Infant Articles as exceptionally good.

Overall, both the exhibitors and visitors confirmed the development of the International Toy Fair as thoroughly positive. Peter Broegger, Managing Director of Mattel GmbH, summed up his impressions of the toy fair: “With its continuing success and the ability to renew itself, the Nuremberg toy fair is once again the most important toy fair for Mattel.” 

The International Toy Fair is already well equipped for 2012, as 87 per cent of the visitors and 92 per cent of the exhibitors confirmed their intention to take part again. Next year’s Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair Nürnberg takes place from Wednesday to Monday, 1-6.2.2012. By starting the fair a day earlier, the organizer intentionally offers international visitors more consecutive workdays.

Exhibition of art dolls 2010. Doll Galleries

 December 8, at the Puppet Gallery "Vahtanov Irina Myzina (Krimsky Val, 10/14) opens XIII International exhibition of art dolls. The exhibition will feature recent works by leading doll designers from Russia and other countries - from traditional to avant-garde beautiful porcelain doll sculptures made of modern materials. All of them are accommodated in the hall № 9 CHA total area of 400 square meters.

International Exhibition of Fine Art dolls are traditionally held in December in the CHA, has become for many citizens and guests loved the place where people come with their families. Connoisseurs and fans of this fantastic art form to open it for myself in December 1997, when our country started I a puppet show, the masterpieces of art author's doll. Since then, many people look forward to our December show to see new works by their favorite artists, which was pretty much over these thirteen years, and enjoy a pleasant surprise from newcomers.

so bright event, such as displaying the latest innovations Puppet Art in Moscow, of course, can not do without Russian artists. Their exhibit at the show - the most important and always causes the greatest interest among the audience. Among the authors - the wonderful wizard Egupets Olga, Larissa I. Churkin, Ella Kim, creator of porcelain sculptures of Alexander Kukinova, avant-garde artist Dima RV, St. Petersburg, Alexander Zinchenko, Irina Welte, Irina Deineko and other artists from different cities of Russia. Its beautiful and original works, they have long been proven that the author's doll may be an element of art and live among the arts.

a felt artist Irina Andreeva prepared a surprise - a special project called "Warm Day" . Those who attended last year at our show, for sure remember the piano felt, and round-centered little girl felt, sitting behind him. Hard to believe that this is absolutely live track is created from wool in the technique of "wet" felting. Irina Andreeva, has long been known to many collectors as the unsurpassed master of the felt sculptures for their works chooses a warm, homely, comfortable and good stories - and it finally conquered the audience.

This recognition from the audience and visitors dolls were not only artists and puppeteers, but the authors who create these bears, which the world call simply Teddy. Copyright bears from mohair, plush, wool and fur, along with his friends - furry cats, rats, funny, kind, dogs and rabbits - would amount to another part of the exhibition XIII International exhibition of dolls. We expect that the hares and rabbits will be particularly large, in fact ahead of the Rabbit Year.

On the opening day audience expects a traditional contest. The winners' names will identify members of the jury, composed of people of creative professions: directors, designers, fashion designers, artists, and writers. Winners of the competition will be prizes.

important part of the exhibition - a charity project "Christmas Toy", which aims to assist children who need expensive treatment. Artists Gallery "Vahtanov" produced decorations for Christmas trees, which will be sold during the exhibition. The proceeds from their sale funds the gallery "Vahtanov" refer to the Foundation "Give Life", with whom the gallery has long-standing good relations. In the past year as a result of the same project was collected and transferred to the Foundation "Give Life" 120 thousand rubles.

exhibition will run until December 19, 2010.

Source : ARTinvestment.RU