Toy Fair New York 2022 Cancelled

Jay Cochran - January 12, 2022

The Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York, the largest toy, play, and youth entertainment marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, has announced the cancellation of Toy Fair New York, originally set to take place, February 19 to 22, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City.

�Key to our efforts these past two weeks has been the balance of some 700 remaining committed toy manufacturers saying they need and want Toy Fair 2022 to build their businesses, weighing that against those departing and seriously on the fence, and needing to provide a sufficient quantity and quality across the retail buying community necessary to deliver a positive experience,� said Steve Pasierb, President & CEO of The Toy Association. �As that balance has shifted, we are obligated to make the best decision in everyone�s interest no matter how heartbreaking for so many and potentially damaging some business� future prospects. The wide range of other events that occur across New York City during Toy Fair week are now also impacted.�

Toy Fair New York has a 117-year unparalleled track record of success. It remains The Toy Association�s responsibility to protect business rights, promote toy companies, advocate for members, and help members sell more product � which includes delivering a worthwhile investment in a quality, essential trade event.

�Certainly, there are legitimate concerns around the pandemic that has guided thinking,� added Pasierb. �Many are saying they are very comfortable with being in New York City, at the Javits Center, and at the show given strict health and safety protocols in place, while travel concerns and for some, staff absences due to illness at home, rightfully weigh on their minds.�

With about 700 toy manufacturers who remained committed to exhibiting at Toy Fair, �constant, unfounded rumors� on social media and elsewhere defied The Toy Association�s best efforts to sustain the show amid global uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

Pasierb concluded: �Delivering a best-in-class next Toy Fair for all the varied audiences it serves so well is now our focus. We will be working with all exhibitors on next steps to unwind February 2022 and build a solid base for visitors from across the world to again experience Toy Fair.�

Batfreak87 - 2022-01-16 @ 8:29 am

On 1/12/2022 at 7:34 AM, JayC said:
Wouldnt make a damn bit of difference in the slightest the state it was held in. The state of NY didn't cancel Toy Fair. From what I understand a number of big toy manufactures and big retailers who buy from the manufactures had opted not to attend this year out of their own concerns. Toy Fair isnt a convention, its a trade show where Toy Manufacturers try and sell their products to the retailers. When so many of those guys decided not to attend there really wasn't much point in holding the event. There isnt a state in this country where COVID numbers aren't on the rise again thanks to Omicron. Adding to that as we saw this past holiday, traveling anywhere is a pain in the ass right now.

Thanks for the info Jay C. I thought for a second it was NY officials without this info.

Outsiders - 2022-01-13 @ 11:51 pm

No worries because I believe most toy companies probably find it easier to release a dozen or more of professional images with some YouTube video of their "so-called" experts talking about the new toys. Sort of what we see ever so often from Hasbro Pulse and their crew...

Satam - 2022-01-12 @ 7:34 pm

It shouldn't be that hard. Let's keep political conspiracy nonsense out of this conversation.

WebbedSpider - 2022-01-12 @ 4:31 pm

Such a shame. Hopefully the toy companies will give us some great sneak peeks instead. Love the photos and interviews.

kILLMonger - 2022-01-12 @ 2:14 pm

Lots of stuff is getting cxled. Concerts, plays...and Toy Fair. It makes sense given the rise (again) of cases. It's just the reality we are in and probably will be in for a bit. As long as folks are all over the map on this....I guess we should look forward to SDCC being cxled as well.

Hey as long as I get to see stuff on TNI and other sites I'll be content.

JayC - 2022-01-12 @ 12:34 pm

9 hours ago, RoddyDrama said:
Move it to Orlando and it won't get cancelled. They don't give a damn down here.

Wouldnt make a damn bit of difference in the slightest the state it was held in. The state of NY didn't cancel Toy Fair. From what I understand a number of big toy manufactures and big retailers who buy from the manufactures had opted not to attend this year out of their own concerns. Toy Fair isnt a convention, its a trade show where Toy Manufacturers try and sell their products to the retailers. When so many of those guys decided not to attend there really wasn't much point in holding the event. There isnt a state in this country where COVID numbers aren't on the rise again thanks to Omicron. Adding to that as we saw this past holiday, traveling anywhere is a pain in the ass right now.

ghostbogey - 2022-01-12 @ 9:36 am

This "sux" for the toy industry for sure...

MagnaPrime - 2022-01-12 @ 3:25 am

Someday..... Someday. Truthfully I don't mind the online reveals too much but only as long as we have fwoosh, pixel Dan, and of course TNI getting interviews and such still.

RoddyDrama - 2022-01-12 @ 2:47 am

Move it to Orlando and it won't get cancelled. They don't give a damn down here.

rono - 2022-01-12 @ 2:44 am

I had a hunch the snowball was gaining momentum to cancel the Toy Fair again. Sad to see this because so many folks & businesses will be hurt due to this decision. I suspect we'll see a lot of the new 2022 merchandise online from Hasbro, Mattel, McFarlane, SpinMaster, and so many other companies. I always enjoyed seeing the surprises and unexpected toys that made Toy Fair so much fun for collectors. Oh well, maybe we'll see it finally return in 2023. Let's all hope so.

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