PHOTO: Wait list for participating lasts for years

Germany’s Toy Fair attracted a large number of visitors and presented as many as 70 thousand new products.

61st Spielwarenmesse, also known as Toy Fair, is the largest fair so far. The oldest and the largest toy fair in the world brought over 2700 exhibitors from 59 countries to one of the oldest cities in Germany.

An area of approximately 160 000 cubic meters is occupied by a total of 12 pavilions that display more than a million products classified in 11 groups. Those large numbers also include about 70 000 new products that are going to be presented for the first time.  

Attempting to bring products closer to the customers, the fair hired more than 75 000 toy specialists from 115 countries around the world, and a great media interest is proven by the fact that it is covered by more than a thousand journalists from 300 media networks.

Croatian exhibitors are missing

All the major toy manufacturers, traders, innovators and specialists are currently in Nuremberg, and the theme of this year's fair are - babies. At the time when birth rates are a hot topic in Croatia, fair’s theme might be additionally interesting to Croats. However, there were only about ten visitors from our country and no exhibitors whatsoever.  

The fair introduced many innovations, it featured numerous world premieres, and toys that are still expected to hit the market.  While this is a business fair that refuses entrance to those younger than 16, adults still seem to have a great time. In fact, choosing toys for their children eventually grew into a really fun event. Today’s toys are not only for playing - they also become a tool for education.

They are not made exclusively for children because increased numbers of manufacturers keep in mind that adults like to play with them too. The fair also hosts a Toy Forum, where participants can talk about trends, and Global Toy Summit, where manufacturers can get guidance on the further development of toys in the world.

Trend of computerization, robotics, ecology, science is felt at every step.

Exhibitors wait for years to get an opportunity to present their products at the Toy Fair 

The fact that Exhibitors wait for years to get an opportunity to present their products at the Toy Fair and that all of the available space was sold out says a lot about the interest.

From 8 am to 10 am a river of the Fair exhibitors flows through a large entrance, followed by scanning of accreditation at the entrance and the 'ride' to the stand. Yes, the 'ride'. In fact, most of those who come to the fair pull suitcases on wheels - the so called Trollys.

You can see photos from the Toy Fair in our photo gallery.

Toy Fair presents the novelties

Toy Fair provokes a great interest of exhibitors

Toy Fair in Nurnberg

Are the effects of the recession felt? Little. Exhibitors with a lot of will and passion negotiate new business, offer new products, correct prices to the region from which the customer comes... However, just like with any other good shopping, one needs to look at all products before deciding. Sometimes the same product is displayed in two different halls, and the prices can vary significantly. What deserves a particular attention are a great numbers of innovations.

The system works flawlessly

Penultimate day, the fair was visited by the mayor of Nuremberg, Ulrich Maly, who met the director of the fair, Ernst Kick. They took a walk together and looked at innovations in the world of toys.

It is hard not to notice that, compared to the fairs we see in Zagreb and the rest of the Croatia, this one is a real giant. Apparatus that serves the fair is huge, and the system works flawlessly.