Some 1,950 Exhibitors on Hand for Asia’s Biggest Toy Fair

	Photo shows HKTDC Executive Director Fred Lam (second left ) and guest of honour Elizabeth Tse, Permanent Secretary, Commerce & Economic Development Bureau (Communications & Technology) (second right) touring around at the fairground. One of the booths they visited is Goodbaby which listed in Hong Kong last November
	The seventh Premier Asian Licensing Awards today paid tribute to outstanding achievements by industry players, as well as creative licensing properties, brands, products and promotions.  Pictured are the Licensing Awards’ winners as well as some of the cartoon properties on display at the Hong Kong International Licensing Show
	Four trade fairs opened today (10 Jan) at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The organisers have brought in more than 130 buying missions and invited over 8,500 buyers from 71 countries and regions to the fairs

10 January 2011 – More than 2,500 suppliers of toys, stationery and baby products, as well as brand licensors and agents, are taking part in four trade fairs that opened today in Hong Kong. The HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show, are organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), while the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd are putting on the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair. All four shows are underway at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The organisers have brought in more than 130 buying missions and invited over 8,500 buyers from 71 countries and regions to the fairs.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said a rise in Christmas sales has signalled a comeback for traditional markets. Year-end sales in major emerging markets such as the Chinese mainland, Russia and Brazil are regarded as an effective indicator of Hong Kong’s export outlook for the year ahead. “A recent HKTDC report predicted an eight per cent increase in Hong Kong exports this year,” said Mr Chau. “As these events are the first mega-trade shows in 2011, business orders at the four fairs are a significant indicator of industry performance this year.” 

Asia’s Biggest Toy Show
The 37^th HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair has attracted about 1,950 exhibitors from 41 countries and regions. The Chinese mainland, India, Korea, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand feature group pavilions, as well as the World of Toys pavilion. Highlights include the Brand Name Gallery and the new Eco Toys and Baby Products Display Zone. Brand Name Gallery exhibitor numbers are up 32 per cent, to 62 this year. They feature 28 per cent more toy brands and cover 42 per cent more exhibition space.

Toy Town, a new book celebrating the success of Hong Kong’s toy industry, is being launched at the fair’s networking reception tonight. The book details the crucial role Hong Kong toymakers played in producing such global successes as Barbie, the Cabbage Patch Kids and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The Baby Show
The second HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair welcomes more than 340 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, including first-time participants from Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Spain, the United States and Vietnam. Goodbaby Hong Kong Ltd, a mainland brand listed last November in Hong Kong, is the largest exhibitor in terms of booth size. Highlights include a Brand Name Gallery and the Nursery Electrical Appliances Zone, which showcase a variety of baby-related collections from more than 30 manufacturers, including 21 baby-product brands.

The fair’s Hong Kong Baby Products Awards 2011 features five categories for toys, baby wear and accessories, strollers and gear, baby-care products and baby furniture and home accessories. An Eco Design Award and Best Hong Kong Design Award are also being presented. Winning products are: a double-deck baby stroller, organic insect repellent, a hooded organic cotton jacket, an English learning system, a baby pampering mattress, a digital video baby monitor, and a baby monitor with night light.

Top Stationery Event
The 11^th Hong Kong International Stationery Fair is hosting more than 230 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions. Greece is a first-time exhibitor, with group pavilions from the Chinese mainland, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The second Hong Kong Stationery Award recognises outstanding design talent; winning pieces are on display at the Hall 1D Concourse.

Brand Extravaganza
The ninth Hong Kong International Licensing Show is showcasing more than 500 licensing properties, spanning cartoon animation, movies, arts, fashion, sports and top universities. New exhibitors include the English Premier League Liverpool Football Club. In addition, Hong Kong brands such as G.O.D. (Goods of Desire), Fatina Dreams and the animated feature Little Gobie are represented. The Lifestyle Pavilion and Hong Kong Character Hall feature thematic properties. Chinese mainland, South Korea, Thailand and the UK are showcasing products in group pavilions, while top international speakers spotlight developments in brand, sports and toy licensing in Asia at the show’s Hong Kong International Licensing Conference.

The seventh Premier Asian Licensing Awards today paid tribute to outstanding achievements by industry players, as well as creative licensing properties, brands, products and promotions. The award winners are: 

Fair Websites
HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show: www.hktdc.com/hklicensingshow
HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair:  www.hktdc.com/hktoyfair  
Hong Kong International Stationery Fair: http://www.hkstationeryfair.com/ 
HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair: www.hktdc.com/hkbabyfair

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:

Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com

 Follow us on Twitter @HKTDC