NEW ORLEANS – October 2, 2023 – After 118 years in New York City, Toy
Fair announced this past Sunday it is moving to New Orleans for the
2026, 2027, and 2028 shows. The event will bring over 20,000 attendees
from around the globe annually for the largest play-focused experience
that unifies the entire toy industry’s ecosystem. The respective
staffs of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and New
Orleans & Company collaborated to make this happen.
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is a not-for-profit
trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and
delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages.
“After gathering opinions from key retailers, members/exhibitors of
The Toy Association and based on a number of evaluation factors
including timing, high-quality space availability, access to
transportation, and affordability for exhibitors and attendees, it
became clear that New Orleans would be the best fit for the Toy Fair –
and best meet the needs of all our diverse guests,” said Steve
Pasierb, President & CEO of The Toy Association.
“New Orleans has state-of-the-art facilities including a brand-new
airport, renowned restaurants, museums, music, an array of event spaces,
and a strong collaborative partnership between the Convention Center,
New Orleans & Company, and the business community, making it a perfect,
welcoming fit for Toy Fair.”
In the world of conventions and exhibitions, Toy Fair is iconic. An
event of this size and scope is typically years in the making, similar
to other major shows, conventions, and championship events regularly
hosted in New Orleans.
“New Orleans is globally celebrated as a center of creativity and
innovation—a perfect fit for Toy Fair. While we know our community is
uniquely built to host events like this one, this major win for our city
is a testimony to the hard work and professionalism of our respective
staffs as well as how we have positioned New Orleans to attract and take
advantage of these opportunities,” said Walt Leger, III, President &
CEO of New Orleans & Company. “Our teams are among the most respected
in the industry and their work in attracting this event will sustain
thousands of jobs, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in direct
economic impact and generate millions in local and state taxes.”
For the past two years, New Orleans & Company and the Convention Center
have promoted New Orleans as “Built To Host”, a moniker that speaks
for itself. Toy Fair was attracted to New Orleans by state-of-the-art
facilities including a new airport, renowned restaurants, museums, music
and an array of event spaces. New Orleans’ compact and walkable
footprint is a great fit for Toy Fair.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to host Toy Fair’s 20,000
attendees, and over 700,000 square feet of fun I commend our staff
and New Orleans & Company staff for putting in the hard work to make it
happen swiftly,” said Michael J. Sawaya, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial
Convention Center President and CEO.
