With only a couple of months left until Christmas, the retail season is beginning to pick up as families start purchasing stocking fillers. Recently, the ATA hosted its annual Hottest Toys for Christmas event, featuring around 300 products from member companies, all on display for kids to pick their favorites for under the tree.
This members-only event received substantial media attention, attracting influencers, their children, major news channels, and Sunrise. The full list of products and their purchase locations will remain on the ATA website through December 25. This complimentary benefit for members provided over $500,000 in media coverage value, reaching nearly 4 million households nationwide.
In November, the ATA will hold its Annual General Meeting to report on the past financial year and announce the new Board. If you’re a current member and haven’t yet cast your vote, you have until COB on November 6. For details, contact our office at admin[@]austoy.com.au.
Plans for Toy Fair in March are progressing well, and exhibit space is nearly sold out. If you’re looking to showcase your products, now’s the time to secure a spot. Sponsorship opportunities are also available to put your brand in front of over 5,000 exhibitors, buyers, and visitors.
This year’s fair will include all our signature events: the Gala Dinner on Sunday, the 25-Year Club on Monday, and the newly scheduled Women in Toys breakfast on Tuesday morning.
Based on feedback, we’ve moved this inspiring event to a morning slot, and it’s open to everyone—men are encouraged to attend and hear the remarkable stories from industry-leading women.
For exhibitors, entries for product awards will open soon, so keep an eye out for the announcement. Full award details are available on our website at:
www.austoy.com.au/toy-fair/ata-awards/
Don’t forget about our Rising Star Award, open to any young professional in the industry—member or non-member, exhibitor or not. Nominees need to be 35 or younger with less than 10 years of experience in the field.
With so much happening in the lead-up to the holiday season and the New Year, we’re excited to keep supporting our members and the wider toy community as we highlight the very best in our industry. From helping families choose the hottest toys for Christmas to offering exciting opportunities at Toy Fair, the ATA remains dedicated to fostering innovation and connection.
We look forward to closing the year with a successful Christmas period for the industry and welcoming 2025 with fresh initiatives that continue to uplift and showcase our vibrant industry.
This article originally appeared in Edition 12 of The Toy Universe Magazine
