The first three Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) trade fairs of 2026 concluded with approximately 82,000 buyers from 121 countries and regions attending the physical events at 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, signaling a robust start to the international trade calendar and reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a critical Asian business nexus.
The newly introduced "Pop & Play" pavilion at the Toys & Games Fair emerged as a significant innovation, attracting around 10,000 public visitors alongside trade buyers. This hybrid approach successfully merged business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) elements, creating direct engagement between brands and fans while facilitating commercial discussions. Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted the pavilion's role in amplifying intellectual property (IP) value through cultural integration and market strategies, helping local brands expand internationally. The pavilion featured 150 trendy IPs alongside global limited-edition collectibles, driving cross-industry collaboration discussions with representatives from diverse sectors including theme parks, digital commerce platforms, and financial services.
Exhibitor experiences underscore the pavilion's commercial impact. Matrix Promotion, showcasing 11 original local IPs, established approximately 50 local business contacts through both online and offline matchings. Founder and CEO Ray Leung highlighted collaborations extending beyond traditional toy buyers to include theme parks and loyalty programs. Similarly, B.Duck's Hong Kong Sales Representative Lai Chi-ying reported connections with 30 potential clients from markets including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Dubai, Russia, and North America, with blind box products selling over 100 units during the fair. The company anticipates the event contributing around 10% to its annual business growth.
Technological innovation featured prominently, with exhibitor Eastcolight (Hong Kong) Limited showcasing self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) interactive story machines. Co-founder Salley Sze projected at least US$1 million in annual sales from AI products alone through the fair, with other STEM product lines expected to generate US$2 million. The fairs' hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, incorporating the Click2Match smart business matching platform, extended business opportunities until January 22, facilitating continued connections between exhibitors and global buyers.
Sustainability and demographic shifts emerged as key industry trends. Over 400 exhibitors displayed the Green Solutions green leaf label, double the number from 2024, indicating growing emphasis on eco-friendly products. Sandra Lopez Herreros, Sourcing Manager CMC at Spain's DeAgostini Collectibles, expressed particular interest in battery-free, hydraulic-powered toys from a Chinese Mainland supplier, planning a US$1 million order. Concurrently, the new Happy Ageing label addressed the growing market for senior-focused and intergenerational toys, with FritzS Learning (Hong Kong) Director Peri Chow reporting approximately 30 new client connections from regions including the Chinese Mainland, Germany, and Spain.
The Baby Products Fair saw expansion in its World of Strollers and Gear and ODM Strollers and Gear zones, hosting around 230 exhibitors with increased exhibition areas. European exhibitors like Sweden's AXKID recognized Hong Kong's role as an innovation hub, with Managing Director Roger Yan securing a €1.7 million order for 2,000 child safety seats from a Bulgarian client. The Stationery & School Supplies Fair, jointly organized with Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, welcomed first-time exhibitor Blaxall Optics Low Vision Limited from New Zealand, which anticipates 5% annual business growth from connections made at the fair.
The accompanying Asian Toys & Games Forum, themed "Empowering the Toy Industry for Global Success," provided industry insights with speakers from Euromonitor International and The Walt Disney Company discussing market outlooks and global IP strategies. For additional exhibitor and buyer perspectives, visit https://www.hktdc.com/event/hktoyfair/en/success-stories, https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkbabyfair/en/success-stories, and https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkstationeryfair/en/success-stories.
