It’s been a few months since the ATA hosted another highly successful Toy Fair at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. With more than 5,000 attendees—including many from overseas—the energy throughout the event was palpable. Many remarked that this year’s Fair was the most impressive since the onset of COVID.
Throughout the week, the ATA also held several key events including our annual Gala Dinner, the 25-Year Club networking function, Women in Toys, and Exhibitor Drinks. These were all well attended, with both the Gala Dinner and Women in Toys events selling out.
A heartfelt congratulations to all the winners recognised during our awards ceremony. A special acknowledgment goes to our newest Hall of Fame inductees, Nir Pizmony and John Fitz-Gibbon, and to our 2025 Rising Star, Adrian Spagnuolo of ToyMonster.
On behalf of the ATA, I extend sincere thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters who help elevate the Fair year after year. These include All Brands Toys, BMS Brands, BBC Studios, Connetix, Disney, Formula Sports & Games, Hasbro, Jasnor, Jazwares, Just Kidding, Mattel, The Bugg Report, The Toy Universe, Total Licensing, Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and The Wiggles.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our incredible exhibitors. Your tireless work—from concept approval to final product display—ensures the continued success of the Fair and highlights the innovation that drives our industry forward.
Since the Fair, much has changed globally, and while I’m a bit remiss to make mention (again) of the ongoing trade tensions, it’s an issue too significant to ignore. The current tariffs imposed on China—though primarily a U.S. policy—will undoubtedly have a ripple effect, impacting Australian businesses as well.
We remain hopeful that the U.S. Government will fully consider the broader implications of these tariffs, particularly regarding children’s toys, and work towards a balanced resolution that minimises disruption (and drastically higher costs) for businesses and consumers alike.
The ATA would like to remind our members that we’re here to support you in any way we can—even if it’s simply to lend a listening ear as you share how these challenges are impacting your business.
On a more uplifting note, our focus now shifts to the upcoming Sydney Mid-Year Fair. This year brings exciting changes—not only have the dates moved, but we’re also hosting the event in a brand-new, larger venue!
Scheduled for Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th June, the Fair will now be held at CommBank Stadium in the heart of Parramatta. Known for hosting major events including NRL games, concerts, and high-profile business functions, the venue offers an elevated experience we hope will become the Fair’s long-term home.
One of the key advantages of this new location is its layout, which allows for a more streamlined and convenient experience. Most exhibitors will be located in a single spacious ballroom, simplifying the visit for our retailers. Larger exhibitors needing private meeting spaces will be accommodated on Level 3, easily accessible via lifts from the ground floor.
We’re excited to welcome everyone to Parramatta this June and can’t wait to showcase what’s in store!
Lastly, we’ll soon begin the membership renewal process for the upcoming financial year.
As part of this, members will receive a feedback survey. We strongly encourage everyone to participate—your insights help us understand what matters most to you and how we can best support your needs.
This article originally appeared in Edition 15 of The Toy Universe Magazine
