Concurrent toys, games, baby products and stationery exhibitions will be hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday to Thursday next week.
This follows the toy sector being the only group to show improvement in the council’s export index for the fourth quarter of last year.
Exports of toy products in the first 11 months last year increased 32 per cent year on year to reach HK$44.5 billion (US$5.6 billion), says HKTDC acting executive director Benjamin Chau.
“Considerable growth” was recorded in multiple markets including France, Germany, Japan, Mainland China and the US.
“Hong Kong’s toys and games industry will continue to achieve steady growth brought by the technological advancement of electronic games, whose sales might outperform that of traditional toys,” says Chau.
He also notes a rising demand for educational toys that strengthen learning in science, technology, robotics, engineering, arts and mathematics. As well, movie blockbuster sequels such as Star Wars, The Avengers and The Incredibles will drive sales of related licensed products.
Exhibition details:
HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair
Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest trade fair of its kind, the 44th Toys & Games Fair will feature 2100 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions.
Six group pavilions will showcase toys and games from as far afield as China, Korea, Spain, Taiwan and the UK. The World of Toys pavilion, featuring mainly European exhibitors, returns for its 10th consecutive year.
Another highlight, the Brand Name Gallery, will showcase more than 240 brands from 18 countries including 4M, Eastcolight, Hape, Soap Studio and Welly.
Toys and games incorporating AR, MR, VR and mobile apps will be showcased in the Smart-Tech Toys zone, plus a Steam (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) Toys Product Display will again be set up to respond to rising demand for educational toys.
It is not all about children, with the Kidult World zone showcasing toys for adults such as magic items, hobby goods, action and war-game items, and models and figurines; the Pet Toys zone featuring toys and daily supplies for pets; and the Fireworks zone, which made its debut last year, offering pyrotechnic products such as toy fireworks, stage fireworks, party fireworks and festive firecrackers.
HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair
Among the 580 exhibitors at the 9th Hong Kong Baby Products Fair will be first-timers Argentina, New Zealand and Portugal. Apart from the returning Korea pavilion, the fair will also welcome new pavilions from Singapore and the Hong Kong Children, Babies, Maternity Industries Association.
There will be 51 brands from 16 countries in the Brand Name Gallery, such as BibaToys, Evenflo, La Mascot and Micralite. Other highlight zones include Baby Tech for smart products, and the World of Strollers and Gear II, showcasing award-winning strollers.
Hong Kong International Stationery Fair
Organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK), the 18th Hong Kong International Stationery Fair has about 260 exhibitors from 15 countries, including group pavilions representing Korea and Taiwan.
On display will be art and craft supplies, back-to-school items, paper-packaging and printing goods, office supplies and gift stationery. The theme display, All for Arts, will showcase artistic stationery and art supplies.
Fringe events
A series of industry events will be run alongside the trade fairs, including the Hong Kong Toys Industry Conference on Tuesday with the theme “Evolving with the industry: hot trends in the toys industry”. International industry experts will discuss such topics as e-commerce, big data and licensing.
Other thematic seminars include Stem and Steam Toys – More than a Buzzword; Toys Compliance, Testing & Export Protection; The Age of Digital Marketing for Toys and Baby Products; Key Apparel Trend for Baby and Kidswear; and Marketing Your Stationery Business in the Digital Age.
There will also be product demonstrations and launch sessions, as well as a buyer forum to explore emerging market opportunities.
Another highlight will be the Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Awards presentation ceremony on Monday, followed the next day by the Winning Products Presentation.
HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show
The HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show is Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest fair of its kind. More than 380 exhibitors will showcase 1000-plus brands and properties.
Other initiatives
Meanwhile, to encourage suppliers to use O2O promotion, the HKTDC has enhanced sourcing on its trade-fair websites with the new Exhibitions Online platform at the Toys & Games and Baby Products fairs. Apart from featuring fair updates and the latest sourcing information, the initiative allows suppliers to connect with worldwide buyers any time, while buyers can source industry-specific products from dedicated fair websites.
Launched at the Optical Fair in November, the HKTDC e-Badge is gradually being introduced to most trade fairs this year, including the Toys & Games Fair, the Baby Products Fair, the International Stationery Fair and the Licensing Show.
