The Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) is thrilled to host the next event in The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas for its 60th Anniversary Celebration taking place March 9 -11, 2022. We hope moving ToyFest West to a new venue will bring excitement for retailers and manufacturers alike. The strong demand of the toy category and the challenges with short supplies will ensure that stores will need goods in Q1 2022. ToyFest West offers new product that many retailers might not have the opportunity to see at Toy Fair in NY making ToyFest West a valuable alternative!

WTHRA still considers the pandemic to be relevant and will pay close attention to detail when hosting the 2022 event. Steps will be taken to keep people safe and the Las Vegas, Clark County laws will be followed at the time of the event. WTHRA will not require people to be vaccinated to attend or exhibit at ToyFest, unless mandated by Clark County. WTHRA will ask people to show their vaccination card at registration if they do not want to wear a mask inside.

We expect attendees to have a wonderful time attending the tradeshow, enjoy the new updated Gala format, have fun attending Morning Masterpieces and Game Night as well as our Seminar and Best of ToyFest event. New this year, Retailers will have the opportunity to shop the show rooms in the Market Center giving them more availability to product. We hope our Exhibitors and Rep companies will see many retailers in person and have the opportunity to write orders and provide wonderful service to them.

For more information, please visit toyfestwest.com.

Bring you child's daydreams to life with HitMe bounce house. They come with interactive, pressure-sending pads that will play music and flash lights, encouraging your children to get active!

All the fun of the classic Jenga® game, but GIANT!  54 oversized genuine hardwood blocks made to exacting manufacturing specifications.  3 different GIANT sizes available.  It's a game and a sport!

The 2^nd Annual National Unplugged Play Day, sponsored by the Wikki Stix Company, will be held on September 28th, 2019...encouraging kids to…Unplug it! Turn it off! Take a Break! Be a Kid!

National Unplugged Play Day, in its inaugural year, enjoyed the participation of over 115 stores nationwide, from large urban toy stores to office supply stores, to small specialty arts and craft stores. Additionally, over 1,500 moms purchased the “in-home play day kit” to participate with their children at home.

Kem Clark, president of Omnicor Inc., explained, “We all have concerns today over kids’ constant attachment to electronics, where they sit and passively stare at screens.  They have lost the art of playing.  They watch, rather than DO! Play is important to stimulate imagination and creativity and help develop cognitive thinking skills. We felt our product, along with many others, might take the lead in offering a break from screens with hands-on, engaged play.”

As part of the National Unplugged Play Day, Wikki Stix is offering a $5 Play Day Kit (with free shipping). The kit is only available to residents in the Continental USA and is limited to one kit per household…limited to the first 500 orders. The Wikki Stix Play Day Kit (enough for 4 children), includes: 

• Over 200 Wikki Stix
• 4 clown face cutouts to decorate and embellish
• 4 Wikkidoodle sheets... a fun doodle to use as a creative starting point
• Flyer for making Wikki people
• Flyer for making Wikki Wacky glasses
• Do-Wikki Game (a fun, timed game activity)
• 4 Unplugged stickers to wear

Wikki Stix, wholly Made in the USA, are made of hand-knitting yarn and a microcrystalline food-grade, non-toxic wax. They work without paste or glue, so there is no mess – simply press down with light fingertip pressure.  Soft and pliable, they are easy for young fingers to use for creative play, as well as learning letters, numbers, shapes and more! Wikki Stix are safe, gluten free and non-toxic. Ideal for ages 3 and up.

About Omnicor Inc.
Omnicor Inc. is far better known simply as the Wikki Stix Co. and has been manufacturing the product in Phoenix AZ for over 29 years.  For more information, please visit the Wikki Stix website at: https://www.wikkistix.com/uplugged

Members of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) elected three specialty toy industry leaders to its Executive Committee and four to its Board of Directors at ASTRA’s Marketplace Academy today in New Orleans, LA. The new representatives are:

Chair-elect
Christine Blumberg, CPE, Roberts Blumberg Giacobbe, Guilford, CT

Treasurer
Kevin McGrath, The Original Toy Company, Milford, CT

Secretary
Amy Saldanha, CMR, CPE, kiddywampus, Hopkins, MN

Directors
Melissa Beese, CPE, Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe, New Orleans, LA
Betty Skoke Burns, Angellina's Toy Boutique, Whitehorse, YT CANADA
Jacqueline Killian, Beyond the Blackboard, Aurora, CO
Nick Tarzia, Stamford Toys, Stamford, CT

Dee Farrell, CPE, of Ann Williams Group of Bloomfield Hills, MI assumed the role of Chair of the ASTRA Board of Directors. She has served as Chair-elect for the past year.

“ASTRA is so fortunate to have committed professionals who volunteer their time to lead this important organization and generate innovative ways to help members grow their toy businesses,” said ASTRA President Kimberly Mosley. “ASTRA has always been member- driven, and our creative, engaged Board of Directors has always been one of our great strengths.”

www.astratoy.org/

Toy Show Specials
Attendees who play their cards right by attending cash in on fabulous first quarter specials, unique industry events and a chance to work with vendors and reps all in the laid back, friendly environment for which ToyFest West is known.

Toy Categories Galore
In addition to toys, other represented categories include infant and toddler, gift, educational, museum, hobby and costume. Traditionally a manufacturers’ representative show, the move to Las Vegas Nevada saw an increase in vendor attendance, which will continue in 2018.

Over 600 Manufacturers
WTHRA is proud to present the 2018 ToyFest West Toy Trade Show. This toy trade show will feature over 600 manufacturers premiering their new 2018 products on the West Coast.

Sunday, March 11 – Tuesday, March 13, 2018

http://toyfestwest.com

Every November, ChiTag consists of four days packed with events that celebrate play, and the entrepreneurs who make toys and games! The only organization to bring together the public with play innovators and the media, ChiTag is in its 12^th year.

Register for one or more events to reach media, consumers and trade just before the holidays – when you want the most coverage, connections and engagement.

ChiTAG brings together consumers, families, inventors, manufacturers, retailers, educators, hobbyists, and the media, at the start of the holiday season, to play, celebrate, discover, support, and promote the creation of toys and games.

STATS:

• Over 300,000,000 media impressions in 2014 and will be over 600,000,000 in 2015 – regional, national and international. 
• Over 2,500 bloggers via email, over 400 at Fair, over 300 up-close and personal at a special Fair Opening Event. 
• Over 30,000 influential consumers, 33% under 4 feet tall.

If people are taking the time and money to attend an event showcasing the hottest toys and games for the holidays, you know they will be telling their friends and family about them! 

With over 2,000 trade attendees looking for new products, ChiTag is bound to be a great event!

Visit them at http://www.chitag.com/us/about/ to learn more and to register!

Come Out and Play on November 19th - 22nd, 2015!

Get Social and Follow ChiTag here:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoToyAndGameFair

Twitter -https://twitter.com/chicagotoyngame

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/marycouzin/

Contact Information:
email: info@chitag.com
phone: (847) 677-8277

We have been in business since 1984, and we work with Ledraplastic spa, Italy (Gymnic Line), importing and distributing its superior line of Rody Horses, Hop Balls, Fitness, Therapy and Wellness products for balance and coordination development for children and adults. Their products are made of heavy duty, latex-free, and phthalate free vinyl.

The Gymnic Line’s Rody Horse, Racin’ Rody Horse, Gyffy the Giraffe and Raffy the Rabbit are a favorite with children to learn balancing and coordination while hopping on them. Used for therapy with special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Base is available for transforming to a Rocking Rody.

The Gymnic Line’s Rody Jr. is a favorite with children for imaginative and creative play, and is also a good friend for your 18” doll. Rody Jr. is available in 3 colors (Light Yellow, Light Pink and Light Blue)! For ages 3 years and up, with adult supervision.

The Gymnic Line’s Rody Max is the same as the popular Rody Horse and it is for children 6 years and up with adult supervision. Available in 3 colors.

The Gymnic Line’s Hop Balls are the very best quality in hopping balls! Made of super strong, yet soft latex-free vinyl, for long lasting use and durability. Great exercise product for indoors and smooth safe outdoor surfaces. Promotes children’s body coordination, balance, lymph circulation and provides a fun workout while hopping on the ball.

We also carry top quality wooden sports products by Lucio Londero, Italy.

Toyfest West Will Continue Its Winning Streak In Vegas for its Second Year, Mar. 9 - 12, 2014
WTHRA will be holding its annual West Coast Toy Trade Show for its second year at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada, a locale with extensive offerings. With room rates well below East Coast and Southern California locations, on-site world class restaurants, shuttles to the strip, and numerous amenities, everybody wins. Sweetening the deal, attendees receive Monday night FREE when they book to stay Saturday and Sunday night (3/8 & 3/9). This lucky offer is limited to the first 300 rooms booked.

WTHRA’s 2014 ToyFest West Show, the largest toy show in the West, will feature over 600 manufacturers, serving as the West Coast premiere for their new 2014 products. In addition to toys, other represented categories include infant and toddler, gift, educational, museum, hobby and costume. Traditionally a manufacturers’ representative show, the move to Las Vegas saw an increase in vendor attendance, which will continue in 2014. Retailers who play their cards right by attending, cash in on numerous first quarter specials, unique industry events all in the laid back, friendly environment for which the WTHRA show is known.

Newly appointed WTHRA Chairman of the Board of Directors, Blake Goldenberg, says it is all about the camaraderie. “Those of you that have joined us at our annual trade show know exactly what I’m referring to, a sense of family. At ToyFest West you’re treated as a real person, not just a number; almost as if you’ve just come home. The show is set up in an open environment with open booths, welcoming buyers to browse. The manufacturers & sales representatives are there to help and spend time with you. You won’t feel rushed; instead you’ll feel relaxed and more productive than other trade shows. Since 1961, WTHRA has been producing an outstanding show; isn’t it about time you come see what all the buzz is about? I look forward to seeing you there!”

For more information on ToyFest West, the manufacturers and representatives who will be present, the special room rate and the 2014 program, please visit www.toyfestwest.com or call (909) 899-3753. Check back often for our 2015 dates!