The Toy Industry Association (TIA) will host a pavilion for toys and youth products during the Craft & Hobby Association¡¯s 2010 Summer Convention & Trade Show held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, July 27-29. The pavilion will feature manufacturers and distributors from TIA's premiere trade events: American International Toy Fair and Fall Toy Preview.

¡°This is a great way to highlight the synergies between the craft and hobby, and toy industries,¡± explained Steve Berger, President and CEO, CHA. ¡±The TIA Pavilion will provide retailers with another forum to review and order youth-oriented products for the Fourth Quarter.¡±

¡°Toy manufacturers will benefit from the additional Third Quarter face-to-face sales opportunities,¡± added Carter Keithley, TIA president. ¡±We are pleased to present our Toy Fair and Fall Toy Preview customers with a summertime trade event that will open additional markets for their products.¡±

The CHA-TIA collaboration also signifies the launch of a new cross-industry promotional program, which could expand to include enhanced retailer education and legislative outreach. Both industries already share a united voice on several important issues, including consumer product safety legislation.

"We are confident that carefully planned and coordinated efforts from both our organizations will result in an ideal opportunity for manufacturers, distributors and retailers to conduct business in the critical weeks and months leading up to back-to-school and holiday shopping,¡± said Berger.