Exhibitors’ Comments

“Hape has been taking part in this show since 2004. It is a very famous fair and as such it is a good platform for us to launch our new products every year. Hong Kong is an international city and attracts many different kinds of customers. We spend a lot of time and effort on this event. We specialise in wooden toys under our own Hape brand; in 2007 we launched our bamboo toys, aimed at the growing eco market. Our biggest markets are in the US and Europe, but we are increasing sales in Asia, including the mainland China, Japan, Korea and Australia. We mainly focus on chain stores and big supermarkets, but we are also keen to meet wholesalers that have retail networks. Our sales staff here at the fair specialise in different geographic markets – and I have to say that they have all been very busy with buyers since the fair opened its doors!”
Andrew Ng, Regional Manager (HK), Hape International (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong

“Our company focuses on promoting our ‘Collecta’ toy animal replicas at the Brand Name Gallery. We have been participating in the show for many years. It is important for us to be here because many of our existing customers come from this show. Our key goal is to expand our reach into new markets such as the Philippines, Thailand and Finland. And I am delighted that we have successfully established business relationships with buyers from these markets at the show. Our dinosaurs line has been well-received by both existing and new customers. Good responses are seen from emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Chinese mainland, Russia and Chile. Overall speaking, the organisation, management, publicity and security services for the show are perfect.”
Irene Yim, Senior Merchandiser, Collecta International Limited, Hong Kong

“Specialising in educational toys, we have been participating in this exhibition for more than 15 years. We export our products to over 100 countries and regions, with Western Europe and the US being our mature markets, so we are targeting buyers from emerging markets such as Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and the Middle East. And we are happy that we have already met new and potential buyers from emerging markets in different regions. The exhibition serves as an important platform for us to attract new buyers and launch new products because it is international and buyers come from every part of the world. Buyers’ responses have been very good so far and they are particularly interested in our microscopes, digital products and solar-powered toy cars.”
Salley Sze, VP/General Manager, Eastcolight (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong

“We are a subsidiary of HABA Germany, a wood manufacturing company that has more than 75 years’ experience in producing baby and children toys under our own ‘HABA’ brand. This is my first time to take part in this show. Our head office has a strong clientele base in Western Europe and the US, so we hope to expand into the Asian markets particularly the Mainland market. The HKTDC does a very good job in organising Asia’s largest toys fair in Hong Kong every year. This is the best show that gives us a good opportunity to showcase our wooden toys and cloth toys to the Asian markets and our main goal is to let buyers know that we have a new subsidiary in Hong Kong to serve Asian buyers. Our toys designs and packaging have attracted lots of attention at the show.”
Steven Lui, International Account Manager Asia Pacific, HABA Asia Ltd., Hong Kong

“At this exhibition, we are showcasing an innovative line of educational toys along the theme of dinosaurs and related fossil fishes and plants. It is our fourth time participating in the exhibition. The exhibition helps us acquire new business and establish contacts with new buyers. Europe and the US are our major markets. We are displaying a wide variety of dinosaur models at the exhibition this year, hoping to attract the attention of those buyers who are not aware of our products especially Asian buyers in a bid to increase our market share in Asia. As an exhibitor, I am happy to see that the HKTDC sets different themes for the display zones every year to arouse buyers' interests. This year’s display zones feature eco toys and animal kingdom as the themes.”
William Zie, Product and Merchandising Manager, Geoworld Asia Ltd, Hong Kong

“We have been exhibiting at the fair since 2006. This year, we are focusing on promoting our classic toys and trendy animation toys. Indeed, the fair provides an excellent platform for us to build up business relationships with new buyers from different parts of the world. As we have an office in Hong Kong to meet existing customers, we are keen to look for new buyers through the fair though our existing customers will also come to visit our booth. Responses are quite good so far. Buyers have shown strong interests particularly in our remote control airplanes.”
Echo Jiang, Senior Licensing Manager, Overseas Business Department, Guangdong Alpha Animation & Culture Co. Ltd., Chinese mainland

“Our products, which are assembled in Vietnam from Korean-made materials, are mainly aimed at the souvenir market. This is our first time at this event – we made the decision to attend because we know it attracts many international customers. Even on the first morning of the show, the halls were packed with buyers from South America, the US, Germany, Japan, Indonesia and India, for example. Our major markets are in North America and Europe, where the souvenir market for quality products is the biggest, and while we are particularly keen to meet new contacts from there, we are happy to meet potential customers from all over the world. I appreciate the service provided by HKTDC – for example, we supplied them with the design for our booth and they put it together for us perfectly. The service we receive here is excellent.”
Jean W Kim, President, Olympia Industrial Co., Ltd., Korea

“Among our new products is a paper balloon that children can decorate themselves with foam clay – it is a new concept and the advantage of this fair is that we can take the time to show it to potential buyers and explain the idea so they can then research their market. This is our third time here – about 10% of the people we meet here are existing buyers and the rest are all new to us. We are looking to develop long-term relationships and that can take time, and this fair is a good place to start. We’ve met people from all over the world here this time, including Argentina, Chile, Canada, France, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey, UK and US.
Toby Hwang, Manager, Kisung Industrial Co., Korea

“Verdes Innovations was established in 2008. We specialise in technology-based games, and have developed a variety of innovative cube puzzles, and currently hold 54 patents. Among the products is a new three-layer cube that we are launching this week at this Hong Kong event. Our goal is to widen our distribution network and this is why we are here for the first time, to find serious companies, especially from Asia, that understand the value and potential of our products. So far we’ve had many enquiries, including buyers from Australia, India, Malaysia and Singapore and many from Europe, which is very encouraging, as well as the US and Canada. These are all good markets for us. I am satisfied with the service at the show, too; communication with HKTDC staff is good – they respond immediately to enquiries.”
Konstantinos Verdes, General Director, Verdes Innovations S.A., Greece

“We’ve been taking part in this fair for the past 10 years, mainly because here we can meet more new customers than any other events in the world and obviously that is very good for our business. Every year we meet new people here. We export to 60 countries around the world, and while the US remains our biggest market, followed by Europe, we are doing more and more business with Asia. We are also keen to develop a bigger market in South America; this year in particular we have met a lot of buyers from that part of the world here, along with many from Arabic countries. The organisation of the fair is very efficient – it is easy to contact people and get a prompt response to queries. I like it here very much!”
Gosta Kjellme, Managing Director, Viking Toys AB, Sweden

Buyers Comments

“We are Australia’s largest on-line retailer of children’s wear. After seven years in business, we are looking to expand into other categories including toys, and party wear and party accessories. I am particularly interested in classic wooden toys, and I have seen some beautiful products here, and I’ve also found some high-quality plastic toys that would suit our portfolio. I am definite that I will place orders with about half-a-dozen suppliers from the fair as a result, and hope to develop long-term relationships. This is my first visit here - HKTDC in Australia contacted me and as soon as I researched the Toys & Games Fair on the website I got excited about the trip because of all the opportunities available. The service at the fair is good – there are always plenty of staff around and the halls are well sign-posted.”
Daniela Minns, Buyer, Baby’s Got Style, Australia

“We are a Canadian toy importer that distributes toys to retailers such as supermarkets and chain stores. I am particularly looking for wood puzzles, mechanical puzzles and jigsaws. I have been visiting this event for four years. It has been easy and convenient for me to find what I want, because the show is well-organised and all the products are categorised. I have found interesting puzzles here and I will follow up with the suppliers after the event.”
Allan Stein, President, Puzzle Master, Canada

“Dino Toys is one of the biggest suppliers and manufacturers of puzzles, games and playing cards in the Czech Republic. I’d like to thank HKTDC for supporting my visit to the fair. Serious business is done at this event. I am looking to diversify our portfolio and bring new products to the market, such as toys for seniors that we can sell under our Puzzle Active name. As a result of my visit I am confident we can develop new products for the Czech and neighbouring markets featuring our own motifs. Asia is known for its high standards of hospitality and the service we get at this fair is no exception – it is a big positive. Everything works – such as internet services, public transportation, food & beverage facilities. It is perfect here!”|
Petr Talanda, Export Manager, Dino Toys, Czech Republic

“Jumbo is the biggest toy store chain in Greece with 55 stores in Greece, Cyrus and Bulgaria. We visit the show regularly because it is a very good sourcing platform where we can meet a range of suppliers from all over the world. We are sourcing games and die-cast models for our toy stores. Indeed, we have made contacts with some good suppliers here and we’ll definitely place orders at this show.”
George Tsatsakis, Buyer, Jumbo, Greece

“Our company is a leading wholesaler and distributor of all types of toys and novelties in India and we supply products to department stores and toys stores throughout the Indian market. I have been visiting this show for more than 15 years. The show is the best place where I can source a broad range of toys and games to meet the tastes of my customers. I am looking for toys and games especially electronic and radio controlled toys. I find the right suppliers and place orders at the show every year.”
Pradeep Kumar, Director, Gupta Toys Corporation, India

“My company is an importer of remote control models and hobby products based in Russia. This is my first time visiting the exhibition. In general, we have a very good impression about the whole exhibition. I have found two quality suppliers here and have already placed two orders worth USD30,000 to USD40,000 each at the exhibition. I’ll visit the exhibition again next year as it’s a great opportunity for me to see so many suppliers.”
Simonenko Vladimir V, Chief Executive Officer, Hobbycenter Russia, Russia

“We are one of the largest multimedia gaming companies in the Middle East, and we also have our own retail and distribution network, with 14 outlets. This is my first trip here – I want to expand into the toy market and am here to look for new opportunities. The timing of the fair in early January is good – it is the right time to make decisions on expansion. I have seen many interesting products, such as licensed remote-control cars and party items. Among the most innovative was a model of Dubai’s famous Burj Al Arab building that children can build themselves – this would be perfect for our market. Following this fair I will research the market and follow up with the contacts I have made here, and orders will follow. This is a perfect fair, and I’d particularly like to mention the HKTDC team in the UAE for giving us this opportunity and for taking care of all the arrangements.”
Kishan Deepak Palija, Managing Director, Geekay Distribution, Dubai, UAE

“My company specialises in educational toys, such as board games and building blocks, which we market through our website and catalogue. I’ve come to this show for the first time this year - several of our suppliers exhibit here, so it’s a good way to keep in contact with them and see their latest developments, as well as to find new suppliers. There are always fresh things to see in the educational toys field, and this show provides a good place to find them – I’ve already discovered products that are new for us and have been busy gathering information that I will follow up back in the US. This is a good fair.”
Martin A Smith, Chief Executive Officer, MindWare, US

“We are an importer of die-cast models that operates two companies, one in the US and the other in the UK. It is my fourth time attending the fair. I am here to source innovative die-cast models for hobby shops in the US and the UK. This is a good show. I have identified potential suppliers at the show and I will develop new business with them later.”
Nigel Breach, General Manager, American Hobbies & Merchandising, US

“This is my first visit to this show in Hong Kong; I want to expand the range of toys that I distribute in Venezuela. I know that many of the big toy distributors in the Venezuelan market have been coming here for many years, so I thought it was about time I joined them! I’m particularly looking for dolls, model cars and ride-on toys. Even though it is a long way to travel from South America, it is worth it because this is a fantastic show. I have seen several interesting products and before I leave I expect to place orders worth around US$500,000. The HKTDC does a really good job here – the staff have really helped by giving me a lot of information in advance.”
Carlos Arturo Munoz Mata, Manager/Buyer, Tamanaco C.A., Venezuela