Toy Industry Prepares for Licensing Expo 2014 Licensing Expo - May 2014

 
Annual event takes place June 17-19 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas

Anyone who has walked down a toy aisle or set foot inside a children’s retail store, has witnessed the powerful presence of licensed children’s products. Brands like Skylanders, Elf on the Shelf and Rabbids dominate retail shelves in the form of toys, apparel and accessories.

Character-related merchandise continues to lead the licensing world, according to the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association’s (LIMA) 2013 Licensing Industry Survey. In 2012, entertainment, TV, movies and celebrity licensing accounted for an estimated $49.3 billion in retail sales.

Attendees to Licensing Expo 2014, the world’s largest and most influential licensing tradeshow taking place June 17-19 in Las Vegas, will receive an insider’s glimpse to the future of the licensing industry.

The annual event showcases more than 5,000 brands – more than any other tradeshow of its kind – and is a must-attend event for decision makers from the global toy, character and entertainment business. Licensing Expo 2014 attendees can expect to see the latest licenses from exhibitors, including: Activision, DreamWorks Animation, Mattel, Inc., Hasbro Consumer Products and Nickelodeon.

This year, nostalgia will trend for licensors, as classic children’s brands of the past resonate with millennial parents. Nostalgic brands making an appearance at Licensing Expo 2014 include Sophie la Girafe, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which turns 30 this year.

During the show, attendees immerse themselves in the licensing world as Peppa the Pig, the Minions, and the Cookie Monster walk by during the annual Character Parade. Nostalgic moments relived as attendees take pictures with their favorite childhood character.

In addition to large global brands, attendees to the 2014 show will have the opportunity to network with up-and-coming children’s brands like Lately Lily and NumbersAlive!. Lately Lily, a young traveling girl that lives out of her sunny yellow suitcase, allows children to share in her adventures as they read her stories, write in their personal notebooks. NumbersAlive! works to improve numerical literacy through toys, puppets, books and animated characters that teach children about math.

Attendees looking to expand their knowledge base about the industry can also register for Licensing University, hosted by LIMA , and attend the 26 educational sessions offering all the information needed to take their business to the next level. Topics include retailing strategies, the legal side of licensing and extending brands globally.

The three-day event kicks off with a not-to-be-missed presentation. Entertainment and media visionary Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer and co-founder of DreamWorks Animation, will deliver the Opening Keynote address at Licensing Expo 2014 on Tuesday, June 17, from 8-9 a.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The Opening Keynote will be followed by “The Big Interview” Keynote with Nicole Richie on June 17 at 2:30 pm. The keynotes are free for all Expo attendees and exhibitors.

As an annual event, there is only one chance to attend. Don’t miss out on the deal that could change your business forever. Register for free today at www.licensingexpo.com. See you in Las Vegas.