By Alice Sanderson — Executive Manager at The Australian Toy Association
Happy New Year and a wonderful Year of the Horse to you all!
I hope the festive season brought success to your business, both in buying and selling, and that 2026 is off to a fantastic start. The toy fair season is now in full swing, kicking off with Hong Kong in early January, then moving on to London, Nuremberg, New York, and of course, our flagship event in Melbourne this March.
An unmissable opportunity to see the very best the industry has to offer!
The team is putting the final touches in place to ensure this year’s Fair is truly unmissable. For anyone in the business of toys, this is a must-attend event, bringing the industry together under one roof and offering the best opportunity to discover what’s new, what’s next, and what will shape the year ahead.
Registration is now open and mandatory for all attendees. You can find full details and access the booking form on our website here.
While you’re registering, don’t miss the chance to secure your Gala Dinner tickets. Already, around 500 guests are set to enjoy an evening of networking, mingling, and celebrating the stars of our industry. The Gala kicks off our Fair, and to close the event on a high note, we have our Women in Toys panel on Wednesday morning.
This highly anticipated session is now sold out, and it’s easy to see why! This year, four incredible women will share their inspiring stories. Hosted by the wonderful Anni Atkinson of Warner Bros. Discovery, we are thrilled to welcome Brea Brand, Danielle Lowe, Belinda Gruebner, and Kerryn McCormack to the panel.
For ATA members, Richard Hayman, our Compliance Manager, will be onsite to meet and discuss your safety and compliance matters. Spots are limited and tend to fill quickly, so if you’d like to secure some time with him, keep an eye on the ATA newsletters for updates.
We’re also excited to announce that we will be partnering with Backpacks 4 Vic Kids again. This wonderful Australian charity provides essential material aid to displaced children and their families. While onsite, there will be opportunities to support their work, both financially and through product donations.
Wishing everyone travelling abroad for the upcoming fairs a safe and successful journey! We can’t wait to welcome you back locally for our show, opening on Sunday, 1st March.
Get ready for an action-packed event showcasing the very best the industry has to offer!
This article originally appeared in Edition 19 of The Toy Universe Magazine
