The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded its first three major trade fairs of 2026, attracting approximately 82,000 buyers from 121 countries and regions to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 52nd Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, 17th Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, and 24th Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair collectively featured over 2,600 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions, marking a strong start to the HKTDC's 2026 event calendar.
The newly introduced 'Pop & Play' pavilion at the Toys & Games Fair emerged as a significant highlight, attracting around 10,000 public visitors alongside trade buyers. This innovative space showcased 150 trendy intellectual properties (IPs) and facilitated direct engagement between brands and fans while creating cross-industry collaboration opportunities. Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that the pavilion helped amplify IP value through cultural integration and brand collaborations, enabling local brands to expand internationally. The pavilion's success demonstrates how integrating business-to-business and business-to-consumer elements can create dynamic environments for partnership development.
Exhibitor experiences from the 'Pop & Play' pavilion revealed substantial business outcomes. Matrix Promotion, a Hong Kong exhibitor showcasing 11 original local IPs, established approximately 50 business contacts through the event. Founder and CEO Ray Leung reported that these connections extended beyond traditional toy industry buyers to include theme parks, loyalty programs, digital commerce platforms, and financial institutions. Similarly, B.Duck's Hong Kong Sales Representative Lai Chi-ying connected with 30 potential clients from markets including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Dubai, Russia, and North America, with participation expected to contribute around 10% of annual business growth.
Technological innovation featured prominently at the fairs, with Eastcolight (Hong Kong) Limited showcasing self-developed artificial intelligence interactive story machines. Co-founder Salley Sze projected that AI products alone would generate at least US$1 million in annual sales through the fair, while STEM product lines were expected to achieve US$2 million. The fairs also highlighted growing market segments, including the new Happy Ageing label identifying toys for seniors and intergenerational family fun. Peri Chow, Director of FritzS Learning (Hong Kong), reported connecting with approximately 30 new clients from various regions and industries following the label's introduction.
Sustainable consumption remained a key focus across all three fairs, with over 400 exhibitors displaying the Green Solutions green leaf label—double the number from 2024. Sandra Lopez Herreros, Sourcing Manager CMC at Spain's DeAgostini Collectibles, expressed particular interest in sustainable designs, planning a US$1 million order for battery-free, hydraulic-powered eco-friendly toys from a Chinese Mainland supplier. The green leaf label, along with digital platforms like Click2Match and Scan2Match, helped buyers track products and identify emerging trends.
The Baby Products Fair saw expansion in its World of Strollers and Gear and ODM Strollers and Gear zones, hosting approximately 230 exhibitors with increased participation compared to previous years. European exhibitors recognized Hong Kong's role as an international trade hub, with Swedish company AXKID securing a €1.7 million order for 2,000 child safety seats from a Bulgarian client. The Stationery & School Supplies Fair, jointly organised by HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, welcomed first-time exhibitor Blaxall Optics Low Vision Limited from New Zealand, which anticipated 5% annual business growth from connections made at the event.
The accompanying Asian Toys & Games Forum, themed "Empowering the Toy Industry for Global Success," provided industry insights through speakers including Euromonitor International's Loo Wee Teck and Disney's Alex Lin. The fairs operated under HKTDC's hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, combining physical events with online access through the Click2Match smart business matching platform, which continued connecting participants beyond the physical event dates. This integrated approach reflects the evolving nature of global trade events, where digital tools complement in-person interactions to maximize business opportunities across geographic boundaries.
