Gigantic Touch Screen to Make North American Debut at 109th American International Toy Fair

NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 109^th American International Toy Fair – owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) – announced today that "Fair Necessities," an interactive, digital wall, will make its North American debut in New York City next month at the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere.  An LCD multitouch display screen designed by the European IT firm uma, the "Fair Necessities" technology wall will turn show data into useful, fun, hands-on tools for the 30,000+ guests in attendance at Toy Fair, February 12-15, 2012.

"'Fair Necessities' will be an interactive gateway to all things Toy Fair," said Kimberly Carcone, senior director of trade show and event marketing at TIA. "With the tap of a finger, multiple users will be able to simultaneously access floor plans, event schedules, exhibitor listings, photos, videos and news clips, Apps and more on the huge three-meter touch screens."

The Fair Necessities wall is the latest in a steady stream of technology innovations introduced at Toy Fair, which annually attracts upwards of 20,000 worldwide retailers, wholesalers, importers, licensors, buying groups and trade guests and 1,050 exhibiting companies, to New York City.  The display will be situated in the main concourse of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center during the four-day show.  Toy Fair 2012 exhibitors who include their listing on the wall will be touched by buyers and others who are at the show to scope out more than 100,000 hot new toys and play products on display.

The technology for Fair Necessities was developed by Austrian tech firm uma information technology in partnership with Intel Corp., and is based on the uma SKIN™ (Semantic Knowledge Information Network) product, which delivers real-time information based on suggested topics or keywords.

"The value of information is as tactile as it is cerebral, and the uma SKIN™ product combines world-class semantic technology with the latest multi-touch displays for a truly living product," said Christian Doegl, CEO, uma. "As an all-around cutting-edge tradeshow, the American International Toy Fair is the perfect venue for us to make our North American debut of this exciting technology!"

The 109^th American International Toy Fair will take place February 12-15, 2012. For more information visit ToyFairNY.com.

About the American International Toy Fair
www.ToyFairNY.com
Toy Fair is an annual event that is owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). The largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere, the show brings together more than 1,100 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from 100 countries to showcase an estimated 100,000 toy and entertainment products to the 9,000 unique retail outlets scheduled to attend.

About the Toy Industry Association (TIA)
www.toyassociation.org
TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing more than 500 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales.  Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. 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 and fun play.

Follow Toy Fair on Twitter @ToyFairNY

SOURCE Toy Industry Association