Opening day attendance at the 105th Toy Fair Sunday, February 17, was up significantly over 2007, an indication of strong confidence in the toy industry. Buyer registration for day one of Toy Fair was up 30% over 2007 and triple the number of reporters registered on Sunday.

"There is tremendous excitement on the show floor among both exhibitors > and buyers," said TIA president, Carter Keithley. "Exhibitors are > enthused about the quality of attendees and there is a high level of > interest in new products."

In addition to mass market retailers, big names such as QVC, Foot Locker, Hewlett-Packard, Harrods, Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, Radio Shack and Spencer Gifts were among the retailers from around the globe present on Sunday. Opening day buyer attendance topped 9,200 this year, compared to 7,100 for the same day last year.

Javits Center was buzzing with press activity too, on Sunday, with more than 900 members of the media at day one of Toy Fair 2008, as compared to 300 for opening day 2007.

An estimated total of 35,000 members of the toy industry and media are expected to attend before the show closes Wednesday afternoon.