Licensing Expo, the global licensing event for intellectual property (IP), collaborations, and brand extension, concluded June 15 in Las Vegas.
The annual event, which is put on by Informa Markets Global Licensing Group and sponsored by Licensing International, had nearly 12,000 attendees, which is a 13% increase from 2022’s total attendance.
There were more than 1,150 retailers including buyers from Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Amazon, Macy’s, Target, and more. This was a record-high retail attendance, coming in at a 47% increase versus 2019’s numbers.
The number of attendees included a 15% new-to-show attendance, as well as an increased international attendance from Asian, South American, and European companies.
With the theme of this year’s show being fashion, Licensing Expo aimed to highlight what licensing means in the fashion world. More than 60 brands were displayed in the fashion showrooms including Emporio Armani, Crocs, Vans, Kathy Ireland, Butter Goods, Burberry, and Lactose.
Through the official matchmaking program, more than 6,800 meetings were booked and hosted to make connections and deals at the event.
“Amid increased attendance and a strong retailer presence, we saw significant business being done at this year’s Licensing Expo,” says Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Once again, we saw first-hand how important it is for professionals around the world to gather as Expo served as an opportunity to celebrate the power of brands, discuss strategies for the year ahead, and continue to expand the business of global brand licensing.”
Licensing Expo will once again be at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on May 21-23, 2024.
Brand Licensing Europe will be held Oct. 4-6 at ExCeL in London, and Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit North America will take place Nov. 2-3 in New York.
