NEW YORK -- For the 99th consecutive year, the toy industry is coming to town for the largest show of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. More than 1,500 toy manufacturers will unveil their latest innovations at the Javits Convention Center and in the Toy District showrooms.

Throughout The American International Toy Fair, which runs from Feb. 10 to 14, retail buyers will canvas the city in search of "must-have" toys for spring and, more important, for the critical holiday season.

Unlike last year, robots and high-tech gizmos are not likely to steal the show. Instead traditional toys, such as learning aids, construction toys, activity sets, action figures and dolls, are expected to have an especially strong presence.

The Toy Industry Association, formerly Toy Manufacturers of America, kicked off the show with its second annual Toy of the Year Awards (T.O.T.Y), on Saturday, Feb. 9 at The Regent Wall Street in Manhattan.

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