A 13% rise in US-based delegates led to a record-breaking attendance at this year’s Kidscreen Summit, which took place earlier this month in New York. The 15^th annual event drew a crowd of roughly 1,700 kids entertainment professionals over the course of four days.

Buoyed by the increasingly positive impact of SVOD distribution revenue, delegates seemed more hopeful about the current state and near future of the industry at this year’s event.

Attendance overall was up by 10% over 2013. In terms of audience composition 25% more consumer products executives attended this year compared to 2013, including 50% more toy industry professionals. And nearly 450 children’s programming buyers were at this month’s event, representing a 10% increase.

Kidscreen Summit 2014 also saw a greater number of participants from Africa (80% more), the Middle East (45% more) and Asia Pacific (10% more).

This last area of growth should prove to be particularly important as Kidscreen prepares for the summer launch of Kidscreen East in Qingdao, China. A joint-venture with the China Animation Association, this new event taking place from July 22 to 24 is designed to bring kids entertainment executives from the East and West together for three days of business networking and collaborative learning. Its multi-track conference program will feature many of the most popular session formats from Kidscreen Summit, but it will hold a regional focus and an emphasis on building professional relationships and stimulating trade and dialogue. (More info is available at kidscreeneast.com.

The location and dates for Kidscreen Summit 2015 in New York will be announced shortly.