The equivalent of more than seven football fields filled with brand-new toys and games were unveiled in New York City this morning at the 112th North American International Toy Fair – the Western Hemisphere’s largest and most important toy show – Which took place February 14-17, 2015 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Owned and operated by the U.S. Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair opened its doors to more than 30,000 registered global play professionals who are in town this week to explore a record-breaking 422,000+ net square feet of exhibit space filled with hundreds of thousands of toys, games and youth entertainment products – most of which will be appearing in stores now through the holiday shopping season.
“Toy Fair is a magical playground brimming with the hottest new creative and skill-building toys and games,” said Marian Bossard, TIA SVP of global market events. “Nearly 1,100 exhibiting toy manufacturers, importers and sales agents are on-site to showcase their latest product lines, innovative inventions, and beloved brands in front of 13,000 buyers from close to 100 countries. It’s a not-to-be-missed play date for everyone with a stake in the global toy industry!”
Toy Fair opened at 9 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by TIA and leaders from the international toy community, kicking off four days of buying and selling, trend-spotting, networking and more. World-class educational sessions and special events will be held throughout Toy Fair, including a toy trends briefing for media and buyers; licensing-focused seminars; toy safety and compliance forums for manufacturers and retailers; global trade and market expansion research presentations; workshops for inventors and designers; and much more. A full schedule of events occurring at the show can be found at www.ToyFairNY.com.
From “top in tech” playthings to customizable toys that epitomize the “maker movement,” Toy Fair will feature a range of trending products that help children build important lifelong skills. Media, buyers and attendees from all corners of the play industry will get a chance to preview – and play with – this year’s coolest new toys before they hit store shelves.
World Liberty TV, Games and Toy Review Channel team was on hand to interview the Movers and Shakers of the Toy Industry ,see what they had to say.
About the NBRPA
THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1992 by NBA Legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson, the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is a non-profit association comprised of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters, and WNBA. We are the only alumni association of its kind supported directly by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
MISSION STATEMENT
The National Basketball Retired Players Association is a charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a two-pronged mission to assist former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players in their transition from the playing court into life after the game, while also positively impacting communities and youth through basketball.
ABOUT THE NBRPA
With energetic corporate leadership and a unified Board, the future has never been brighter at the NBRPA. Now more than 20 years old, the Association provides a host of programs, services and benefits designed to help retired basketball players and their families successfully navigate life after the game. In support of its membership, the NBRPA proactively offers a full menu of education, health, finance and career/life transition benefits to retired basketball players and their families.
Working in conjunction with the NBA and NBPA, the NBRPA’s membership promotes basketball and enhances the sport’s image by building community relationships and fostering support for charitable activities and philanthropic events with a connection to the game.
By playing in the NBA, ABA, WNBA or with the Harlem Globetrotters, NBRPA members helped build the game of basketball and – through the distinction of an on-court professional career at the sport’s highest levels – remain ambassadors to the game for life. NBRPA members embody the game long after taking the court professionally and put their notoriety to positive use as spokespersons and conduits of good will in the basketball community.
An Evening of Fine Food provides an informal networking setting for people from the Queens Business community to socialize as they sample the gourmet delicacies provided by Queens’ restaurants and chefs. The event benefits over 1,200 children and adults challenged by mild to severe developmental disabilities.
Each year we honor an individual whose dedication to making a difference in the community is exemplary.
This year’s Chefs of the Year:
Neil Levin , Vice President, Webline Designs
Charles Catalano, RPh & Brenda Catalano, C & S Pharmacy Consulting
The show kicked off with an introduction to The Carmelo Anthony Foundation, along with a high-powered performance by Carly Rose Sonenclar.
Sitting front row, Carmelo and LaLa Anthony, Devon Still, CC and Amber Sabathia, Victor Cruz, Prince Fielder, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Hoda Kotb and more as some of the athletes watched their kids hit the runway in looks from Nike, Levi’s, Converse, Hurley, Nike SB and Jordan. The show closed with an inspiring appearance by Devon Still’s daughter Leah Still who shined on the runway while bringing awareness to the fight against pediatric cancer.
Jeff Olson, Founder and CEO of Nerium International, A strong, rising force in the direct marketing industry, Nerium International reported $100 million in sales in its first year and is on pace to exceed $250 million in its second. Nerium recently received the Global 100 Bravo Award from Direct Selling News for record-breaking business growth in 2012. Nerium International is the only company to receive this award in their first full year of operation. Unlike many other direct marketing companies operating in the beauty industry, Nerium International has a “breakthrough product that is not only unique to the beauty space, but is also globally exclusive to us,” says Olson.
Nerium International focuses on real science and real results, and is a maverick among other direct marketing companies because of the transformative impact they have on the personal development and professional lives of Brand Partners. With innovative, rewarding incentive structures and a dedication to improving the quality of life for all Independent Brand Partners, the company generated 3900% growth in one year. Hear Olson’s vision for the expansion of Nerium’s product line and international footprint live on April 19, 2013.
Neriums Motto: “Nerium is not just about the company or the product; Nerium is about the people”.
See Nerium Products Reviewed in our World Liberty TV, Health and Beauty Channel .
