This year, the Marketplace & Academy Trade Show takes place from June 10-13 in New Orleans, LA. All events are hosted at the Ernest Morial Convention Center. License 2 Play will have booth #345, where we’ll display many of our newest and bestselling products. We’d love for you to join us there. Here we’ll explain what this event is all about and why it’s so important for the toy industry.
What Is ASTRA?
ASTRA, short for American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, is a non-profit organization that aims to lead the way through play. Since 1992, this organization has made it its mission to provide children with quality toys they can grow with. It’s not really about what the toy can do. Instead, it’s about what your child can do with the toy. Toys are meant to promote child development in addition to entertaining the youngest generation. ASTRA aims to be a positive influence in the toy industry. They offer memberships that include discounts, networking and educational opportunities.
The Marketplace & Academy Trade Show is where visitors can discover the newest and coolest toys that will help your business stand out. It’s the place to meet other professionals in the industry, connect with wholesalers, and receive valuable tips about running your business. You don’t have to be a member of ASTRA to visit this annual trade show.
What Happens at the Trade Show?
First and foremost, you get to visit hundreds of booths filled with the latest and greatest the toy world has to offer. From manufacturers to wholesalers, you can find the toys you’re looking for. While you can certainly browse the different toy displays, you even have the option of testing some of them out yourself. The best part is that you get to talk to the people who sell them to help you understand who they’re for and what the child can do with them.
Another important aspect of the trade show event is the opportunity to learn more about the industry and how to run a successful business. There are educational seminars on business operations, financial management, sales and marketing, industry trends and revelations, children and play, and open space. Attending some of these seminars can make a big difference for you, because you will gain new ideas and learn new concepts that have a positive impact on your bottom line.
Finally, the trade show is an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. If the toy industry is important to you, you won’t want to miss this event. You can meet toy manufactures, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. This gives you the unique opportunity to talk to other people about your business, share insights, and get advice.
The Logistics
The trade show takes place from June 10th through June 13th. The first workshops start in the morning on Sunday, June 10th. If you don’t live in the New Orleans area, you should book accommodations when you reserve your spot. You can book with a list of ASTRA hotels, but you’re free to make reservations on your own, too. The hotels on the website are most conveniently located to the convention center, within a couple of blocks of the trade show. You can register for the event conveniently online.
The trade show floor itself is divided up into different sections. The ASTRA website has a detailed floor plan that shows you where to find the booth you’re looking for. You can also look at the list of exhibitors and search for the ones you want to see first. Every day, there are several seminars with speakers who share their extensive knowledge and experience about different aspects of the toy industry. Finally, the trade show floor includes specialty zones, where you can test out innovative products hands-on. The specialty zones also introduce you to new business concepts that can help you propel your store in front of the competition.
Meet License 2 Play at Booth #345
License 2 Play has a booth at this ASTRA event, where we’ll showcase our latest and greatest toys. From the most popular toy of the years to our own products, we have a range of toys that appeal to children of different ages. We’ll introduce you to our unique product line and show you which items are most suitable for your toy or gift store. Visiting us at the ASTRA trade show also gives you an opportunity to meet with our staff in person and ask any questions that you may have.