American International Toy Fair and Engage! Conference and Expo Announce Plans for Second Co-Location in 2011

NEW YORK, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) and Engage Digital Media announced today that Engage!® Conference and Expo, the definitive technology event for youth entertainment professionals, will co-locate for a second time with the American International Toy Fair®, the largest toy and youth product exhibition in the Western Hemisphere.  Based on the success of the inaugural co-location in February 2010, show organizers have scheduled the events to overlap again on February 15-16, 2011, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.  

Spanning a four-day period that begins on Sunday, February 13, the 108th annual Toy Fair will bring together nearly 1,100 manufacturer, distributor, importer and sales agent exhibitors and buyers from nearly 5,750 retail establishments around the world.  Total attendance in 2010 – including buyers, retailers, trade guests, media and exhibiting staff – increased four per cent (4%) over 2009 to 25,030 persons.

The two-day, 5th annual Engage! boasts a powerful conference program in addition to its exhibition space. The conference brings together a broad spectrum of executives from technology, toy and entertainment companies; youth brands; marketing, advertising agencies; inventors, designers and product development experts.  Attendees will learn how to leverage their tangible products to develop engaging and profitable digital products on mobile devices as well as robust interactive online services. The call for speakers is now open at www.EngageExpo.com.

"The crossover between youth entertainment and online engagement is accelerating as rapidly as the pace of technology innovation," says Christopher Sherman, executive director of Engage Digital.  "Mobile content, touch platforms and online innovation will be the cornerstones of Engage!'s conference content in 2011.  We bring an incredible amount of brain power together under one roof to facilitate business through connections and networking... this will be a 'must-attend' event for companies looking to compete in the digital space."

"The toy and game market is absolutely driven by innovation and trends," adds Marian Bossard, TIA vice-president of meetings and events. "It makes perfect sense to bring the knowledgebase of Engage! Expo into the Javits Center during Toy Fair so that our exhibitors and attendees have the opportunity to learn more about the technologies that exist... and how these technologies can be used to support their brands."

The 108th annual Toy Fair will be held Sunday – Wednesday, February 13-16, 2010; Engage! Expo will overlap with Toy Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 15-16. All Engage! Expo attendees will receive access to the Toy Fair show floor and all Toy Fair attendees will receive access to the Engage! show floor.  One- or two-day conference passes will be available for the Engage! conference program; TIA members who exhibit at Toy Fair are entitled to half-price registration discounts for the two-day pass.

About Toy Industry Association (TIA)

TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing over 535 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales.

The TIA-sponsored Toy Fair, held annually in February in New York City, is the premier U.S. event for industry professionals, including buyers, sellers, inventors and designers. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe play.

More information is available online at www.toyassociation.org.

About Engage Digital Media

Engage! Expo is owned and operated by Engage Digital Media. Engage Digital is a leading provider of trade events and media with a focus on social media, virtual worlds, user engagement and video games. Events have included Engage! Expo, Digital Law Conference, 3D Training Learning and Collaboration (3DTLC) Conference, Virtual Goods Conference, Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo, Austin Game Conference and many more.

More information can be found at www.EngageDigital.com.

SOURCE Toy Industry Association