The outstanding results for exhibitors and visitors at the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair showed that this event is the absolute number 1 in the toy industry. 79,800 trade visitors (77,000 in 2005) from 110 countries (not including the model railway club visitors) attended the international industry's hub for toys and leisure in Nuremberg. The share of international traders and buyers was some 50 per cent (48 per cent in 2005), with the increased number of visitors at a high level of 4.6 per cent from the USA showing the growing orientation function of the largest national toy market. South America, which was actively covered for the first time, underlines the global importance of the world's leading fair in the long term with a rise of 70 per cent for visitors. The International Toy Fair with 2,785 exhibitors (2,747 in 2005) has therefore sharpened its profile again as cross-continent platform for contact and ordering.

International Toy Fair sets trends for ordering decisions
"All the key accounts were there," says Hermann Geis, General Manager of Mattel GmbH. The International Toy Fair 2006 recorded an extremely large share of 75.3 per cent decision-makers among the visitors (74.7 per cent in 2005). The importance of the fair for purchasing decisions grew to 62 per cent (59.8 % in 2005). Altogether 63.5 per cent of the visitors traveled to Nuremberg with intentions of ordering (59.8 per cent in 2005) and also put these into practice by placing firm orders. The manufacturers registered an increased demand in all 10 product groups.

Worldwide impact of the fair supports export business
On the basis of the increased demand, 30.9 per cent of the manufacturers rate the sales trend in Germany for the coming year as favourable (26.8 per cent in 2005). As many as 47.8 per cent of the manufacturers assessed the worldwide trend as more favourable (45.6 per cent in 2005). This means the growing export business is gaining importance at the International Toy Fair. Uwe Weiler, General Manager of Simba Toys, reports that the rise in the number of international visitors has improved the order situation again.

Quality indicators of the International Toy Fair show top level
The majority of visitors describe the leading fair as the outstanding information instrument, before Internet services and communication activities of the individual manufacturers. The great benefit of visiting the fair is confirmed by 81.6 per cent (80.9 per cent in 2005) of the visitors and some 90 per cent were very satisfied with the overall impression. The newly designed PressPreview (new products show) the day before the fair proved to be an ideal communication instrument for announcing products.

Toy trade is open to range extensions
The special shows on range extensions received a lively response from the toy trade and attracted new visitor target groups. The presentation of the Official Licensed Products for the 2006 FIFA World Cup* attracted great interest. The traders and buyers were able to source comprehensive information about this range of products and the prospects of success for the first time. The football fever acted on the International Toy Fair by creating impetus for the coming business year. King Football was to be found in all halls.

Active use of information provided
New products are the crowd-puller in the trade and at the fair: The search for new products has become even more important and was assessed as the key criterion for visiting the fair with a mark of 1.5 (1.8 in 2005 / school marking system from 1 to 6). The revised concept of the InnovationCenter in hall 4 was therefore tailored exactly to the toy traders and buyers. This requirement was accurately covered by the survey of new products, Branch Forum and InnovationAward. The special shows Windows of Dreams and Cafe Festival were well-attended attractions in their product segments and inspired many visitors to new ideas for their business.

The NewExhibitorCenter proved successful as a springboard for new exhibitors, who were very satisfied with the large number of visitor contacts. The special invitation action by the model railway manufacturers was accepted by some 1,000 model railway club members, who were counted as separate visitors.
Overall, the International Toy Fair confirmed its role as all-round fair package for industry and trade for creating the basis for a successful year of business in 2006. The world's toy professionals have already noted the 1 - 6 February 2007 in their diary for visiting the International Toy Fair 2007.

Thanks to the leading position of the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair, a lot of well-established toy manufacturers traveled from Hong Kong to Nuremberg in Germany to grasp this great business opportunity. Eastcolight (Hong Kong) Ltd. (www.eastcolight.com) showcased its latest Digital Weather Station Kit at the fair. The company specializes in high quality microscopes, telescopes, binoculars, and other fine optical devices which emphasize on the convergence of fun and education. It carries well-known brand names "Tele-Science" & "Micro-Science", "Master-of-Spy" as well as its Girls' line, D-I-Y series and Preschool series. Playgo Limited (www.playgo.com.hk) proudly presented its "My Electronic Piano" under its "Happy Party Band" series. With fantastic rhythms, various sound effects, demo music, rhythm speed and volume control, "My Electronic Piano" inspires children's talent and interest in music and creativity. Playgo also develops and manufactures boys, girls, preschool, art & craft and role-play toys.Welly Die Casting Fty. Ltd. (www.wellydiecast.com), a collectible scale model replica specialist, has launched a collection of die cast radio controlled car. Available in 1:34 '04 Subaru Impreza WRC and 1:32 Volkswagen New Beetle, these cars are made to the finest precision of model-grade details. Model cars of Welly range from 1/18, 1/24, 1/32, 1/36, 1/60 to 1/87. The company also targets to the premium market.Cityworld International (HK) Ltd. (www.funkytweenz.com) has also taken part at the International Toy Fair. Apart from its popular FUNKY TWEENZ* collection, the company's 'Mow Gwai' interactive and electronic pet has also drawn buyers' attentions. Cute, cuddly and adorable, 'Mow Gwai' can wiggle its ears and moves its mouths and eyes. It talks in its own language and will try to learn yours! Mountains China Co., Ltd.

(mount@mountains.biz.com.hk), a manufacturer and exporter of all kinds of plastic toys, demonstrated its strength in R&D with its full range of playsets, educational toys, racing sets, train sets and sonic motorcycles at the fair.

GP Batteries International Limited (http://www.gpbatteries.com.hk/html/products/specialty_toys.html; http://www.gpbatteries.com.hk), one of the world's major suppliers of primary and rechargeable batteries, was active in promoting its Batteries for Toys & Hobbies series at the show floor. Featuring consistent power, low internal resistance and high rate of charging and discharging, these batteries bring out the best performance of model cars and other energy demanding toys such as electric boats, flights, guns, etc. The award winning racing pack from GP Batteries has empowered many international champions in different races around the world.