Toy Fair® and The Toy Association’s efforts to elevate the global toy industry were prominently recognized at Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) Gold 100 Awards & Summit, held from September 17 to 19 in Santa Barbara, California. The event invites top trade show organizers to celebrate the best and most influential U.S.-based trade shows of the year.

During the summit's educational programming, Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association, led an engaging dialogue titled “Toy Fair: Reigniting the Magic of the Global Toy Industry Showcase.” The session focused on Toy Fair's achievements, particularly its ability to attract a record-breaking number of first-time exhibitors in 2023. Carcone unpacked the success of Toy Fair’s strategic approach, which provided newcomers with a well-rounded experience through a winning formula: environment + education + engagement + exposure = excellent experience.

Carcone also emphasized the importance of giving first-time exhibitors the additional support they need to maximize their participation at major industry events. “Emerging companies that exhibit at global trade shows for the first time often feel intimidated, and we at The Toy Association understand how crucial it is to set these companies up for success," Carcone said. “Toy Fair accomplished this with the Launch Pad neighborhood, a dedicated area for new exhibitors, and an accompanying newcomer education program to help guide new toy industry professionals through their journey at the show. This combination ensured that first-time exhibitors not only gained exposure but also benefited from targeted resources to grow their businesses. We’re looking forward for these initiatives to return to our 2025 show.”

The Gold 100 Gala capped off the three-day summit, which recognized Gold 100 List honorees and Grand Award winners. Toy Fair not only earned a spot on the coveted TSE Gold 100 List, which celebrates the 100 largest and most influential U.S.-based trade shows of the year, but the show was also a finalist in the Gold 100 Grand Awards in the Stickiest Show Floor category, which recognizes trade shows that excel in engaging attendees and encouraging interaction with exhibitors. Toy Fair’s strategy for fostering attendee engagement through its unique layout, hands-on experiences, and interactive showcases earned it this honor.

The Gold 100 Gala celebration continued with the recognition of Jackie Retzer, director of event management at The Toy Association, who was awarded a Woman to Watch Award. This award is given to top-performing female managers who are making a substantial impact early in their careers. This honor is a testament to Retzer’s role in ensuring Toy Fair’s continued success and her leadership in the trade show industry.

“I'm incredibly honored to receive the Woman to Watch Award and to represent The Toy Association at TSE’s Gold 100 conference,” Retzer said. “Our presence here not only highlights the incredible work being done within our organization but also shows that we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible for Toy Fair and the broader trade show community. As Toy Fair continues to evolve, The Toy Association remains committed to fostering innovation, providing unmatched support to exhibitors, and delivering engaging experiences to attendees.”

Toy Fair® will take place March 1 to 4, 2025 at the Javits Center in New York City. Attendee registration will open in October. Hotel bookings are now open. Visit ToyFairNY.com to learn more.