What is IDEX?

Question: What is IDEX?

Answer: IDEX is a major doll show currently held annually in January in Orlando, Florida. The show is the first to premiere the yearly doll and bear releases from doll artists and companies from around the world and has been held since 1991. The show is attended by doll and toy retailers as well as collectors. In addition to the main show room, seminars, workshops, meal events, and lectures are available. Although the show is only being held in Orlando in 2008, other locations for IDEX (and an IDEX mid-year show) have included San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Over the past two decades, IDEX has evolved into the largest doll runs the gamut from the largest doll companies in the world (Madame Alexander, Ashton Drake) to smaller doll and bear artists. Hands-on classes (for a fee) are given in subjects including doll sculpting, reborn baby dolls and ball jointed dolls. Lectures and seminars (often free) are available for doll retailers on subjects including marketing and the internet, and for everyone on the history of dolls and similar topics. For an additional fee, there are also "meal events" which encompass a meal, program and souvenir doll for collectors and retailers alike.

Each year at IDEX, the DOTY (Doll of the Year) and TOBY (Teddy Bear Awards) are presented at IDEX. There are often charity doll and bear auctions as well.

Many retailers write their shop orders for the year at IDEX since the show room is only "open to the trade" on Friday and Saturday morning (although many other events on Thursday through Saturday morning are available for collectors). Collector days for the show room are Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.

In 2006 and 2007, an IDEX mid-year show was held in Las Vegas at the Rio hotel. It has not yet been announced whether or not a mid-year show in Las Vegas will be held in 2008.