Where has the year gone? Since the conclusion of Toy Fair, the ATA office has been fully focused on planning for the busy months ahead, including the annual Golf Day held on 14 May, the Sydney Mid-Year Fair in June, and Membership Renewals in July. Behind the scenes, work also continues across a range of key areas including charity initiatives, marketing, member benefits, and, believe it or not, planning is already underway for the 2027 Toy Fair. We just don’t stop!
By Alice Sanderson — Executive Manager at The Australian Toy Association
ICTI Annual General Meeting – Amsterdam
The International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) is the global industry association representing the worldwide toy sector, with membership comprising around 17 national toy associations from across the globe. ICTI and its member associations are committed to:
- Promoting toy safety standards
- Reducing or eliminating barriers to trade
- Advancing social responsibility across the industry through programs addressing environmental concerns, fair and lawful employment practices, and workplace safety
I joined industry counterparts in Amsterdam for the ICTI Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Netherlands Toy Association on 7–8 May. Discussions focused on the major issues currently impacting the global toy industry, including tariffs, the importance of communicating the value of play, artificial intelligence, and the ongoing concerns around product safety in online marketplaces.
Each participating country submitted a State of the Industry Report for 2025, while Frédérique Tutt, Vice President of Circana, presented an overview of the global toy market and emerging worldwide trends. Among the findings highlighted was the continuing importance of licensing to the toy industry, with licensed products accounting for approximately 39% of toys sold at retail in Australia.
Additional presentations included Christian Wetterberg from LEGO, who spoke about the importance of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) to the global industry; Carmel Giblin from The Ethical Supply Chain Program, who outlined the outstanding work being undertaken with factories worldwide; and Catherine Van Reeth from TIE, who presented updates on the revised Toy Safety Regulation.
The meeting covered a broad range of important topics and reinforced the valuable role ICTI continues to play in supporting and advocating for the global toy industry.
2026 Sydney Mid-Year Fair
The Sydney Mid-Year Fair returns on 17–18 June at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta. Following the success of last year’s sold-out event, which attracted more than 300 attendees across the two days, this year’s fair is set to be another fantastic opportunity for retailers and industry members to connect with leading exhibitors and preview upcoming ranges.
Registration is now open, and those wishing to attend can register via our website here.
To see the full list of exhibitors and who’s showing at this year’s event, click here.
2027 Toy Hobby & Licensing Fair
The dates for the 2027 Toy Hobby & Licensing Fair have now been confirmed: Sunday 28 February to Wednesday 3 March 2027. At this stage, the Grand Prix is expected to take place in early April, which will come as welcome news for those travelling to the Fair.
The overlap with the Australian Grand Prix traditionally results in significantly increased travel and accommodation costs, so we are hopeful these dates remain unchanged.
Following another sold-out event in March 2026 and a growing list of prospective exhibitors, preferential stand offers will once again be distributed in July. This initial round provides exhibitors from this year’s Fair with first choice of stands. If you have not yet confirmed your requirements for 2027, please complete the survey sent on 18 May or contact us at: toyfair@austoy.com.au.
ATA Member Services
The ATA is proud to provide members with a comprehensive range of services, resources, and commercial benefits tailored specifically to businesses within our industry.
From business discounts to expert advice and support services, the advantages of ATA membership continue to deliver significant value.
To explore the full range of member services, ATA Members can log in to the Members Only section of the ATA website at: www.austoy.com.au
Sending best wishes to the industry both local and global, and for those attending Licensing Expo Las Vegas, I hope you have a safe and productive trip.
If you’re not yet a member of The Australian Toy Association and would like to learn more, please contact us via email at: admin@austoy.com.au
This article also appeared in Edition 54 of The Bugg Report Magazine
