Canada's unique Toy & Hobby Fair deserves our support.
Several weeks ago, Toys & Games published a brief article about the Canadian Toy Testing Council. As readers will recall, the CTTC, a non-profit organization, had applied to receive an Aviva Insurance Community Fund Grant. The CTTC, which is largely run by volunteers, had recently lost a long-time sponsor and was running perilously low on funds. To stay in the competition for one of Aviva’s larger grants, the CTTC asked Canadians from all walks of life — media to consumers and toy industry members — to go on Aviva’s website and vote in support of the organization’s proposed projects and programs.
Unfortunately, the CTTC did not receive an Aviva grant and must continue to pursue funding from other sources. This is a worthy organization that’s been advising consumers on how to make good toy and book choices for children since 1952. Every year, thanks to an army of kids and families, hundreds of toys are tested, with results published in the CTTC’s annual Toy Report.
Parents get reliable, objective information that’s not “purchased” by suppliers. And those companies, whose products receive a Best Bet Award or other recommendation from the CTTC, know their lines will get new interest from retailers and consumers that pays off at the cash register. Conversely, a not-recommended rating from the CTTC can send manufacturers back to the drawing board to tweak or upgrade a product.
The CTTC provides an invaluable, win-win service; so why is it forced to go cap-in-hand looking for funding and support every couple of years? I hope it was more a case of the CTTC’s appeal just not reaching folks in time to respond in force, and less our usual apathy playing a role. As we all know, Canadians are notoriously slow to blow their own horns or endorse home-grown organizations or events — no matter how unique, important or valuable they might be.
Another institution perhaps feeling the effects of this lamentably typical attitude is the Canadian Toy & Hobby Fair, which runs January 29 to 31 at Toronto’s International Centre. Now in its 72nd year, this venerable exhibition has a long history of showcasing Canadian suppliers and their products — many of which have been specifically developed for Canadians’ often more European-like tastes, trends, and lifestyles. And while Canada’s mass merchandisers surely find items of interest at the Fair, it’s those retailers serving the independent market that most benefit from the annual trek — frequently discovering product that sets their stores apart from the “big boys”.
Increasingly, however, many in our industry — both on the supply and retail sides — are failing to recognize the gem they have in their midst. Canada’s only toy fair deserves our support, as does its organizer, the Canadian Toy Association. The CTA works on the entire toy industry’s behalf — not just its members’ — representing our interests with federal and provincial governments, as well as international agencies. It is responsible for the respect with which other countries, including the U.S., regard our industry.
Also, while we’re at it, there are some other upcoming opportunities to support toy industry colleagues. For example, several Canadian companies, including Spin Master Ltd., Thinkway Toys, The Orb Factory, and PlaSmart Inc., have had product nominated to the short list for awards in the American Toy Industry Association’s annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) program. For the second year, the TIA is inviting North American consumers, media, suppliers and retailers to vote for their favourite products in 11 categories. A winner is chosen in each category, as well as an overall Toy of the Year.
Spin Master leads the way with four nominated products: Bizu Style Jewellery Studio, the Hedbanz Game, the Disney Appmates Mobile Application and the Redakai Card Game. Thinkway Toys’ Lazer Stunt Chaser, an R/C vehicle, was nominated in both the Boy Toy and Innovative categories, while Ottawa’s PlaSmart Inc. received a nomination in the Educational category for its best-selling Perplexus Original brain-teaser game. Nova Scotia’s The Orb Factory rounds out the list with a nomination for its beautiful Sticky Mosaics Happily Ever After Jewellery Box in the Specialty category.
Of course, I’m not suggesting you choose any of these products simply because they’re distributed by Canadian companies. Ideally — whether you’re media, industry member or consumer — you’re familiar with the products’ play value and will vote because they’re deserving of a place in TOTY history.
All of the above is a long way of simply saying, let’s resolve to recognize and support — whether it’s by buying, donating, volunteering, voting or just showing up — Canada’s many worthy events, organizations and businesses, through the coming year.
Best wishes for a prosperous 2012 from all of us at Toys & Games — see you at Toy Fair!
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Lynn Winston has been the editor of both print and online versions of Toys & Games Magazine since 1991. To contact her directly, please click here. |
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As a brand new player to the toy industry, we are extremely grateful to have a spot in the Inventor’s Corner at the upcoming Canadian Toy & Hobby Fair. It’s a valuable opportunity to share our new games with retailers and distributors, while getting critical feedback that will help us to shape our product to best meet the needs of consumers. There would be no other way (at least no accessible way) for our small mom-team-of-two to access the industry without this national trade show. We are grateful.
Tamara Vukusic, Spark Your Imagination