Discover Trends, Partners and Opportunities at the 16th CTJPA Conference this March

The 16th CTJPA Conference, organised by the China Toy & Juvenile Products Association, took place on 26-27 March 2026 at the Suzhou Taihu International Conference Center.

Recognised as one of the most influential annual gatherings for China’s toy, baby products, licensing and preschool supplies sectors, the conference brought together 48 distinguished speakers as policymakers, economists, brand owners, manufacturers, retailers, licensors and international industry professionals to explore emerging market trends, innovation strategies and growth forecasts.

Since its inception in 2001, the CTJPA Conference has been successfully held for 16 editions as of 2026, growing into a flagship industry platform with an annual attendance of around 1,000 participants. This year, the 16th CTJPA Conference featured 1 Global Trends Forum and 5 thematic conferences focusing on licensing, toys & baby products, collectible and designer toys, omni-channel innovation, and preschool education. In addition, 4 dedicated matchmaking sessions were organised, covering domestic distribution, export business, licensing and the collectible & art toy, providing targeted platforms for industry exchange and collaboration.

Together, these sessions supported companies in adopting new concepts, strategies and business models, enhancing their ability to capture global trends and refine both strategic positioning and market practices. A wellness walking activity was also held alongside the conference, reflecting the industry’s dynamic and forward-looking spirit.

 

What Participants Gained from the CTJPA Conference

● Industry Insights and Market Intelligence

Government representatives shared the latest policy updates affecting the toy, baby products, licensing and preschool sectors, while leading economists offered perspectives on global economic trends shaping the industry.

A key highlight of the conference was the official release of two flagship industry reports:

China Toy and Juvenile Products Industry Report 2026

China Licensing Industry Report 2026

These reports presented comprehensive insights into the industry landscape, covering export trade performance, domestic consumption trends, product quality developments, and regulatory updates in both Chinese and international markets.

Through extensive research and data analysis, the reports provided valuable references for companies’ strategic planning and business decision-making.

● Cross-Industry Dialogue and Innovation

The conference hosted a diverse lineup of speakers from government institutions, global brands, digital platforms and leading enterprises across multiple sectors.

Discussions focused on key topics shaping the future of the industry, including:

Cross-industry IP collaboration and licensing innovation

AI-driven product development and smart toys

The growth of collectible and designer toy ecosystems

Digital transformation of distribution channels and retail

Emerging trends in early childhood education and family consumption

By combining macro-level insights with case studies from industry leaders, the conference sparked new ideas and inspired companies to explore innovative pathways for sustainable growth.

 

●Business Matching and Partnership Opportunities

To facilitate practical collaboration, the conference also hosted dedicated CTJPA Networking Sessions, designed to connect stakeholders across the entire industry value chain.

Three specialised matchmaking sessions focused on:

Domestic Distribution Channel – connecting manufacturers, brands, retailers and emerging retail formats

Licensing Dialogue – linking IP owners with toy, juvenile product and designer toy companies

Global Business Exchange – bringing together major global platforms and leading cross-border sellers

These sessions provided an efficient platform for direct business dialogue, enabling companies to explore partnerships, expand distribution networks and identify new growth opportunities in both domestic and international markets.

 

● Industry Experts and Corporate Leaders Shared Insights

Speakers included leading economists, executives from major companies, digital platform representatives and industry experts.

They shared insights into evolving consumer trends, digital commerce strategies, brand licensing development and innovation in the children’s product market.

 

● Gateway to China’s Largest Trade Shows

For international buyers and industry professionals, the conference also served as an early gateway to CTJPA’s flagship exhibitions taking place this October in Shanghai, including:

China Toy Expo Register Now

China Kids Fair Register Now

China Licensing Expo Register Now

China Preschool Expo Register Now

 

These exhibitions together form one of the world’s largest sourcing platforms for toys, baby products and licensed merchandise, attracting thousands of manufacturers and global buyers each year.

Pre-registration for the October exhibitions is now open, allowing international visitors to plan sourcing visits in advance, connect with verified Chinese manufacturers and discover the latest innovations across multiple product categories.

Industry professionals attending the conference also gained early insights into the trends and product developments expected to shape the upcoming exhibitions.

 

*About CTJPA

Founded in 1986, the China Toy & Juvenile Products Association is the only nationwide non-profit trade association representing the interests of China’s toy and juvenile products industry.

CTJPA became a member of the International Council of Toy Industries in 1998 as the only representative from mainland China. It is recognised by government, industry, media and consumers as an authoritative voice of the sector.

Its registered members include manufacturers, distributors, retailers and licensors from more than 30 production hubs and over 330 major cities across China, including multinational companies from the U.S., Europe and Japan.