Toy Fair is not just the UK’s only dedicated toy, game and hobby exhibition. It is also the meeting place for the wider industry surrounding play.
The National Toy Council
The National Toy Council (NTC) is a forum that was set up by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) to bring together organisations and individuals connected with children or concerned with their welfare.
The NTC meets twice a year and tackles issues that are currently of interest or concern to the industry and general public. The NTC plays an important role in delivering key messages of advice and reassurance to the consumer on toys, play and children.
The NTC produces consumer leaflets on toy-related topics, issues/statements/press releases and provides spokespeople as necessary. To find out more click here.
One of the two annual meetings is held at Toy Fair and is invitation only.
Play Research Network Meeting
The Play Research Network (PRN) is an informal, unconstituted group which has existed for about six years and is currently meeting about every six months. The group is open to everyone involved in research (in all its guises) about play and children of school age and its primary aim is for an exchange of information and ideas.
If you are currently, have been recently, or are planning to undertake research about play and school-aged children and young people and would like to be in touch with other people doing this sort of work in the UK, then the Play Research Network may be of interest to you.
Meetings are organised by volunteers from the group and a central database of contact names is currently held by the Children's Play Council. At each meeting members are invited to present and discuss their work and there is time for informal networking and information sharing.
For more information or to join the membership list please contact:
Mena Wright
Administrator
Children's Play Council
8 Wakley Street
London EC1V 7QE
Phone: +44(0)20 7843 6016
Email: mwright@ncb.org.uk
Toy Fair Party
The Toy Fair party is held from 6-9pm at the end of the opening day of Toy Fair, Wednesday 28th January 2009. The party features live music with free food and drink laid on. The party takes place in the Superstar Chinese Restaurant, located at ExCeL’s West entrance. The party is always popular and we recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance by calling Tracey Butcher on 020 7701 7271. Tickets are priced at £17.50 per person (inclusive of VAT).
Press Lunch
All holders of media Toy Fair badges are invited to the ‘press lunch’. This is a complimentary hot buffet in the Waterside rooms, South Hall. Prior booking is not required, please just turn up on the day to collect your voucher from the press office. The lunch is only available on the first day of Toy Fair from 12.30 – 3pm and to media badge holders only.
Opportunities for Toy Fair Exhibitors
The organisers are more than happy to help you make your experience as worthwhile as possible. If you have any special features/launches or ideas you would like to discuss to enhance your participation please call Simon Pilling on 020 7701 7127