Where has the time gone? We are already into the 2nd half of 2022 which means that Christmas is just around the corner.
I visited Gift Fair recently to meet up with members and introduce ATA’s new Events Manager, Jacqui Christou, to some of them. The Fair was bustling which is so great to see and I hope that everyone had a successful event.
The ATA recently held our Mid-Year previews in both Sydney and Melbourne. This year was our first showing in the hometown of our main event in March and bookings of space came in super-fast. All up the two events hosted over 60 exhibitors in ballrooms and boardrooms and even the weather in Sydney didn’t dissuade our visitors to attend.
It did seem that everyone had a great fair and there was a good turnout from retailers including Big W, TJX, Kidstuff, Toyworld, Toymate and Amazon to name but a few.
This year we celebrated the return to face-to-face events with a networking function on the first night of the Previews and they were fantastic opportunities to relax and catch-up over a drink.
A huge thanks goes to all of those that made these events successful, including our badge sponsor Ghostfire Gaming.
Alice Sanderson
Preferential round has now begun for the 2023 Toy Hobby & Licensing Fair and if the interest from our 2020 and 2022 exhibitors is anything to go on, then this will be a great return for the industry. The Fair for me is not just an opportunity for great product to be viewed and ordered, but it also keeps the industry alive and thriving.
It’s a chance to share ideas, stories, and successes. You are all competitors but also when relaxing together, you are also great comrades. I’m sure you are as keen as me to come on-site and witness the magic that is the Fair.
Other than events, the ATA membership have been tuning into our webinars for great content including guides on Christmas branding from Mumpower, ensuring your internal compliance processes are up-to-date by ATA’s Richard Hayman and 2021 in review by the NPD group.
We pride ourselves on providing quality information to assist our members with their businesses as we aim to support the membership in any way possible.
This includes exhibitions, networking functions, safety & compliance advice and the compliance analyser, representation to Government and media, industry data and export development.
If you are looking to become a member of the ATA or have any queries regarding membership, please feel free to contact me anytime.
Wishing you all the best in the coming months and leading into the silly season.
