2013 American International Toy Fair to Host Digital Kids Conference

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toy Industry Association and media company Engage Digital announced today that the 7th Annual Digital Kids® Conference will co-locate once again with the American International Toy Fair in February 2013 at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Taking place February 12-13, the two-day Digital Kids Conference will bring youth-focused digital media executives, brand owners and licensors together – from Fortune 1,000 companies and focused start-ups – to learn critical information about engaging children online and through digital devices. The robust conference program will supply participants with valuable marketplace insight on producing inspiring products, establishing successful online and mobile revenue generation strategies, and leveraging the latest social media best practices.

"Hosting the Digital Kids Conference under the same roof as Toy Fair presents a mutually enriching opportunity to our shared audiences," said Marian Bossard, vice president of meetings and events at TIA. "Toy Fair annually draws upwards of 30,000 toy industry professionals who visit the show not only to conduct business, but also to network with peers and learn about the latest innovations and technologies in the world of toys and games."

"Every youth entertainment company, from toy manufacturers to television production firms, should be incorporating digital and interactive media into their product strategies," said Christopher Sherman, Digital Kids Conference Founder. "Mobile and online tie-ins, brand extensions and marketing strategies are critical elements for any company to stay competitive with today's kids. Digital Kids Conference attendees participate in valuable networking, see the latest trends and walk away armed with the critical insight and connections necessary to grow their business."

The partnership between the two shows will provide all Toy Fair attendees with on-site access to the Digital Kids Conference, giving them a chance to hear from more than 25 speakers who will share tips, tools, and strategies for tackling challenges in the digital media environment.

From its origins more than a century ago, Toy Fair has become a global destination that turns more than 370,000 net square feet of New York City's largest exhibition hall into an annual playground of 100,000+ toys and youth entertainment products. As the largest toy tradeshow in the Western Hemisphere, Toy Fair will connect nearly 1,100 toy sellers with an expected 10,000+ forward-looking and fast-acting global retailers.

Toy Fair 2013 will be held from Sunday, February 10 to Wednesday, February 13; the Digital Kids Conference will overlap with Toy Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 12-13. All TIA members will receive reduced rates to attend the conference; Digital Kids attendees will receive access to the Toy Fair show floor.

Previously called Engage! Expo, the Digital Kids® Conference co-located with Toy Fair in 2010 and 2011. For more information about the upcoming Digital Kids Conference, visit DigitalKidsCon.com. To learn more about Toy Fair, visit ToyFairNY.com.  

About the American International Toy Fair
Toy Fair is an annual trade show that is owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and bringing toys and youth entertainment products to kids of all ages.

The largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere, Toy Fair brings more than 1,100 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers, sales agents from nearly 100 countries to showcase an estimated 100,000 toy and entertainment products to the 6,000 unique retail outlets that annually attend. For more information about the show, please visit www.ToyFairNY.com. To learn about the Toy Industry Association, visit www.ToyAssociation.org.

About the Digital Kids Conference
Digital Kids is produced by Austin-based Engage Digital. Engage Digital creates and produces technology-focused industry conferences and trade expositions. Since founding in 2003, Engage has created and produced dozens of events in Austin, New York, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Seattle, and London.  Industries and topics have included software development, mobile technologies, games, social media, youth, virtual learning and more.  Digital Kids is a trademark of Engage Digital.  More information can be found at www.EngageDigital.com.  

SOURCE Toy Industry Association