"It's only September, but the world's toymakers and designers are converging on El Segundo this week for an industry conference to decide on the hottest toys for next year. The city has long been a hub for the toy industry as companies like to set up shop in the shadow of Mattel, the maker of Barbie. This week, the industry opened a new tower of toys, an office complex featuring 65 showrooms for toy companies to showcase their products and discuss design with wholesale customers."
"Sarnari is a business developer for educational toy creator Clementoni, which was established in an Italian village in 1963 and established a U.S. division to enter the American market. 'Of course, this is the most important market in the world,' Sarnari said, 41 times bigger than the Italian market where Clementoni sells educational toys. 'The opportunity here is huge.' The company has licenses to make 'Harry Potter' and 'Stranger Things'-themed puzzles, joining its line of board games, science toys and musical toys for small children."
El Segundo opened a Toy Building containing 65 showrooms to allow toy companies to showcase products and meet wholesale customers year-round. The year-round showroom complements the industry's largest annual Toy Fair in New York by providing continuous exhibition space for buyers and designers. Los Angeles functions as a major hub for the U.S. toy industry, with many companies headquartered or maintaining significant presences nearby. Clementoni, an Italian educational toy maker founded in 1963, established a U.S. division and is using the space to pursue the larger American market with licensed puzzles, board games and science toys. Major companies such as MGA Entertainment maintain significant operations in the region.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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