All's Quiet...For Now

And I'm not talking about the baby (but all is quiet with him for now too!). I'm talking about Toy Fair 2012. As I mentioned here, I was not able to be at the show this year for obvious reasons. So I've been manning my battle station from the comforts of home. But I have to say, it has not been any less stressful than if I had been there.

It was a hectic week and weekend as Toy Fair exhibitors and sponsors moved into the Javits Center for the greatest toy show on earth which began Sunday. My usual role - assist sponsors with set-up of their promotional investment. My role this year - stare at my Blackberry and wait for Rich or Anita to call to give me continual updates on how move-in is going. I've never paid so much attention to a phone in all my life!!

Luckily, between my Type A organization and the amazing skills of my onsite team, everything went off great. Sure there were some snags...will we be able to get the Tegu food truck into the building? Where exactly should we place the 15' Power Ranger statue? Will the App wall work? But all in all, things went very smoothly thanks to the teamwork of Rick and Anita. I can't express to them how much I appreciate their assistance this year!!

So now that the show has started, all is pretty quiet. A little eerie...but normal at the same time. Everyone is all set up and focused on conducting business. So things will stay quiet until Wednesday afternoon when it is time to dismantle. In the mean time, I now stalk Facebook and the Toy Fair website to see all the great happenings at the show.

Oh...and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Wah Wah...

It's official: I will not be at Toy Fair 2012. I've come to terms with it. Well... kind of. It's the right thing to do, but I can't say that I'm not disappointed. With my due date only weeks away, my doctors all agreed that the best thing to do was to sit this one out and not chance going into labor in New York City. I totally get it as I do not want to be the lady that is on the front page of the New York Post with the headline "Woman Gives Birth at the Javits Center". Not cute. But I can't say that I'm happy about it.

Not only is Toy Fair the culmination of a year's worth of work, it is also an opportunity to finally meet and see my clients in person...spend time with my fellow TIA colleagues...see all the friendly faces of the Freeman team...joke around with the Floor Managers otherwise known as "the guys"...and just have FUN. I mean that's what it is all about. It is Toy Fair after all!

Some of the things I'll miss:

1. Hiding out in the Opps Office making candy buckets.
2. Bear hugs from Stella and Sully.
3. Philly cheese steaks from Shorty's.
4. Seeing all the promos in place in the Crystal Palace and North Concourse.
   
5. Smiles on the faces of my clients with the thoughts of "renewal" dancing in their head.
6. The kid in the plexiglass box with the exploding soda bottle.
7. Jim Carney.
   
8. On site purchases because they just "had to have that exposure!"
9. Costumed Characters dancing in the lobby during the Opening Ceremony.
10. "Working" the Shuttle Bus line and getting people to do funny things for restaurant certificates.
11. Being with the TIA team.

Some things I won't miss:

1. The constant chirping of the Nextel devices.
2. The leaky ceiling of the Javits Center that impedes my sponsor's promotion.
3. Achy feet after a long day of walking the floor.
4. Hotel food.
5. Frowns on the faces of my clients with the thoughts of "refund" dancing in their head.

Seems like the "will miss" list is longer which doesn't surprise me, but I know that I've made the right decision for me and the baby. The show will go on without me and I know it will be a HUGE success as it always is. Good luck to all involved in making Toy Fair the best darn toy show in North America. I love you all and will be there with you in spirit!!