After a year away due to restrictions surrounding Covid-19, Toy Fair is back for 2022 and is shaping up to be another busy and lively show.
The response from the business to the in-person return of the show – which will run at London’s Olympia from 25-27 January 2022 – has been incredibly positive, the BTHA has reported, reflected in the strong re-booking rate from companies such as Playmobil, LEGO, Character Options, VTech/LeapFrog and Orchard Toys to name just a few.
Indeed, exhibitor space is almost sold out and the BTHA is urging those interested in exhibiting at the show to apply via www.toyfair.co.uk as soon as possible.
The fair will take on a new layout across the Grand and National halls due to the ongoing redevelopment works at Olympia enforcing a change in floorplan.
“As a result of the disruption created by Covid-19, the ambitious £1.3 billion redevelopment programme at Olympia London, the home of Toy Fair, has seen some recent changes in the schedule of its planned construction and demolition work,” explained Majen Immink, director of Toy Fair at the BTHA. “This has a bearing for Toy Fair. There are some changes in the surrounding area attendees will notice in such a large site redevelopment. Toy Fair has been assured by Olympia London that its top priority is to continue to ensure events go ahead both safely and successfully with disruption kept to an absolute minimum during the works.
“Olympia has assured the BTHA that pro-active processes, limits and measures will be in place to suppress any impact that the works around the site may have on the creation of noise, vibration, rubbish and dust. An extensive agreement and set of processes between Olympia and its building contractors is in place to ensure the Toy Fair goes ahead safely and comfortably for its exhibitors and visitors.”
Majen continued: “Measures in place from Olympia London have been based on extensive testing and the use of specialist equipment and monitors. Toy Fair has been further assured by Olympia’s construction director and management team that any unforeseen issues that arise are dealt with swiftly and professionally by the onsite team. The requirements applied to Olympia’s building contractors on site are particularly stringent during Toy Fair show opening days and hours.”
Olympia itself has issued the following statement to all Toy Fair participants: “Olympia London is committed to ensuring that events and the redevelopment programme can work safely and successfully alongside each other and that both proactive and reactive processes will be in place to mitigate and minimise any disruption during Toy Fair 2022, so that exhibitors are not unfairly disadvantaged and can enjoy the usual high standards synonymous with the venue.”
Health and safety will obviously be a major priority and the BTHA will be following government and industry guidance to ensure that the show is in line with relevant regulations with regards to Covid-19.
Majen continued: “We can’t wait to finally open the doors to Toy Fair again and welcome the whole industry back. It has been a challenging 18 months for all, and we are extremely grateful for the industry for their patience and ongoing support of the show. The strong re-booking rate is testament to the popularity and importance of the show and I’m sure it will be a fantastic atmosphere in which exhibitors and visitors can finally meet face to face.
“We are so looking forward to hosting the industry under one roof again to kick off what will hopefully be an exciting and successful year for the toy industry. We are fully committed to putting on the best platform possible for the industry to achieve a successful three days of business in a safe environment.”
Visitor registration for Toy Fair 2022 will open on the website around 14 October.
