The Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) Fall Toy Preview® held last week in Dallas brought nearly 3,000 members of the toy industry together to broker business deals for 2011.

This year’s iteration of the annual event attracted close to 700 buyers – a 9% increase over 2009 – representing a very broad spectrum of the retail community and nearly 300 exhibitors – a 5% increase over 2009. International buyer participation increased more than 27% over the previous year. The event’s global profile attracted participants from 37 countries in both 2009 and 2010.

Fall Toy Preview is a by-appointment-only event designed to give toy buyers from long lead and mass market retail outlets a central marketplace in which to meet one-on-one with their vendors 12-15 months in advance of in-store delivery. To participate, exhibitors must currently sell to mass market accounts; all products shown must be available for fourth quarter sales in the following year.

“Feedback was overwhelmingly positive,” said Marian Bossard, TIA vice president of meetings and events. “Exhibitors reported that all their major appointments were held as scheduled and that there was a good volume of new appointments scheduled on-site. Buyers were writing orders and providing important feedback on the toys and games on display.”

Several retailers present at the show commented that Fall Toy Preview was an essential stop on their buying circuit, allowing them the time and opportunity to meet with many of their vendors under one roof.

Fall Toy Preview 2011 will be held October 3rd – 6th at the Dallas Market Center; additional information and booth space applications will soon be available online at www.FallToyPreview.org.