NEW YORK, NY | September 21, 2015 – Play Fair – “a celebration of play and entertainment for all ages” – will bring new and beloved toy and pop culture brands together under one roof this February for an interactive and fun-filled live event open to families, collectors, and media. Powered by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and LeftField Media, Play Fair will take place Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 at New York City’s Javits Center North.
At the heart of Play Fair will be immersive, rewarding experiences, allowing the public to touch, feel, and interact with their favorite toys, games, and entertainment brands. Fans – from kids to adults – will experience toy reveals, photo ops, character interactions, stage performances, author readings, celebrity signings, live music, and giveaways. Retail areas will allow attendees to purchase show exclusives, limited edition products, and rare variants of beloved toys and games.
The inaugural Play Fair is timed and co-located with the 113th edition of TIA’s North American International Toy Fair, the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere and a massive marketplace welcoming 30,000 manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sales agents from over 90 countries to New York City.
“Play Fair will provide toy lovers of all ages with unique and unparalleled access to enriching immersive events and experiences built around the power of play,” said Marian Bossard, Toy Industry Association SVP of Global Market Events. “It’s a truly one-of-a-kind event for families and fans to explore nostalgic and innovative toys and brands in an all-ages atmosphere that can’t be beat!”
“We’re humbled and thrilled to work together with TIA on Play Fair,” said Greg Topalian, President of LeftField Media. “For more than a century, TIA has gathered the professional side of the toy world together at Toy Fair, and now families, fans, and collectors will finally get to experience this excitement inside their own event. Play Fair will be a space to create fun, engaging, and rewarding connections between brands, their current fans, and the fans of tomorrow – and get a glimpse at new toys before anyone else on the planet!”
Play Fair will be headquartered inside New York’s Javits Center and will turn all of Manhattan into a giant “game board,” encouraging attendees to visit various iconic New York institutions and landmarks to make the most of their time in the city and unlock Play Fair discounts, exclusives, and rewards.
“Our launch of Play Fair couldn’t come at a better time, as we’re seeing a growing number of studies and reports that underscore play’s crucial developmental benefits to children, and its impact on the happiness and well-being of adults,” added Steve Pasierb, TIA President & CEO. “We look forward to welcoming families from far and wide for a spectacular event filled with magical moments and playful experiences that they will be re-living and talking about long after they leave the show.”
Play Fair is launching as part of a new partnership between the Toy Industry Association and LeftField Media. The LEGO Group and Nickelodeon have been confirmed as presenting sponsors.
For more information about the show, please visit www.playfairny.com and follow Play Fair on Twitter (@playfairny) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/playfairny).
About the Toy Industry Association (TIA)
TIA is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. TIA is the owner and operator of the North American International Toy Fair, held annually in New York City. Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago. TIA continues to work with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play. For more information, please visit www.toyassociation.org, www.toyfairny.com, or www.thegeniusofplay.org.
About LeftField Media, LLC
LeftField Media, LLC is an events company focused on developing face-to-face events in a range of communities rooted in contemporary culture and shared passion. LeftField Media was formed in partnership in 2014 by Greg Topalian (President, LeftField Media), Britton Jones (President & CEO of Business Journals, Inc.), Mac Brighton (Chairman & COO of Business Journals Inc.), and Sharon Enright (Executive Vice President of Business Journals Inc.). While LeftField Media is a new company, its founders have over 100 years of combined experience in media and event production. With a keen sense of the ever-evolving needs of the industry as well as the new opportunities created by change, LeftField Media takes a clean slate approach to the business. Innovation and launching new events has the been the cornerstone of the notable success of the Business Journal Fashion Group as it has been through Greg Topalian's storied career as former Senior Vice President at Reed Exhibitions and founder of New York Comic Con. LeftField Media is headquartered in historic South Norwalk, CT. Visit www.leftfieldmedia.com to learn more.