The registration phase for the Spielwarenmesse Toy Awards is due to get underway in just a matter of weeks, and the awards organisers are urging the industry to get involved in this year’s event.

Registration will open on September 14 this year, while winners will be revealed at the opening ceremony of the 71st Spielwarenmesse at Nuremberg’s Exhibition Centre next year.

Every year, the Spielwarenmesse presents the ToyAwards to particularly outstanding innovations. Considered an important quality mark for both buyers and retailers, the accolade enjoys high levels of prestige across the industry.

The innovation prize is awarded in four age-specific groups: Baby and Infant (0-3 years), Pre-School (3-6 years), School Kids (6-10 years), Teenager and Adults (from 10 years) – and a Startup category which is open to companies that have been trading for five years or less.

Last year, 433 exhibitors entered no fewer than 838 innovations. The closing date for entries is 11 December 2019.

The jury members judge the descriptions on the basis of the following criteria: potential success at retail, fun factor, accessibility of the product concept and originality. In the second round, the jury of experts nominates three products in each of the five categories at a meeting in the run-up to the Spielwarenmesse.

The criteria used in the preliminary round are extended to include workmanship and quality as well as safety. The nominated products will be unveiled at the main Press Conference for the 71st Spielwarenmesse on 23 January 2020.

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