MY TOY FAIR BLOG
iDisplayit
Please provide a brief introduction to yourself and the company you work for
My name is Steve Chan, creator and founder of iDisplayit. iDisplayit is a family-run company that designs and builds display solutions for LEGO, Hot Toys, and other collectables, including those from franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter and Back to the Future. Our cases and stands smartly showcase models at home, as part of an exhibition or even in the office. We always look to innovate our products, with features such as new ways to access the models and printed vinyl backgrounds to add some fun visuals.
What is your favourite part about working in the toy industry?
You never lose that excitement over the anticipation of a new release. Every time you think everything has been done, LEGO announces a new Ultimate Collector model of an old favourite or the first set from a whole new series. The models and toys keep on improving, making it hard to keep up! There are new unique brick pieces, elements and motorised components being introduced all the time. This certainly keeps us on our feet when it comes to designing a case worthy of the new sets.
Give us the inside scoop, what products are you launching at Toy Fair 2023?
We will be bringing along display solutions for the latest collectibles, whatever these may be at the time. At the moment, we are hotly anticipating the next Christmas toy releases.
What trends do you predict for the Toy Fair industry in 2023?
We would expect to see a busy year as toy producers scramble to keep up with all the latest films, games and TV show releases from ongoing franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel. With all the entertainment offerings for the year ahead, there should be plenty of new toys and LEGO sets to collect. Stranger Things also proved very popular with fans this year, with many of them hoping for more official toy releases.
How many years have you exhibited at Toy Fair 2023? Any favourite memories?
Last year was our first outing to Toy Fair. Our marketing manager was delighted to grab a picture alongside a giant Pikachu from the Pokémon franchise who could be seen wandering around. It was great to see such a wide range of exhibitors, from large companies to start-ups, with a chance to see what they were all up to. We also enjoyed seeing the top prizes awarded for the Toy of the Year and Retailer of the Year.
What is your favourite toy?
This is sure to cause some arguments around the office here at iDisplayit, but my personal choice would have to be the big UCS LEGO Star Wars AT-AT Walker. It has become such an iconic vehicle ever since I first saw it appear out of the snowy fog on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. I also have a soft spot for my Hasbro Luke Skywalker lightsaber toy from Return of the Jedi, which I managed to break against a tree when I was five years old.
What top tip would you give to a fellow exhibitor or visitor attending their first Toy Fair?
Make sure you take plenty of time to walk around and get chatting with other exhibitors. Not everyone will come to you, and you never know what mutual business or trade interests you might find on the stalls you least expected to!
