License to Grow
Licensing is a growing business — one the animation industry has always been especially well suited for. That makes the 2016 Licensing Expo, set for June 21-23 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, an essential business pit stop.
In 2015, 461 exhibitors representing more than 5,000 brands gathered in Las Vegas and more than 16,150 key decision-making retailers, manufacturers, marketing and advertising professionals attended, across all consumer product categories.
Among the animation related companies exhibiting this year are: Aardman, Cartoon Network Enterprises, DHX Brands, DreamWorks Animation, 4K Media, Genius Brands International, IMPS, Masha and the Bear, Mondo TV, Nelvana Enterprises, Nickelodeon, Peanuts Worldwide, Rovio, Tezuka Productions and
Licensing Expo adds matchmaking service to its 36th annual edition, set for June 21-23 in Las Vegas.
Zag Inc.
The licensing industry in 2014 generated an estimated $13.4 billion in royalty revenue on $241.5 billion in retail sales, with character and entertainment licensing the most dominant category with more than $107 billion in retail sales.
New to this year’s event is the Licensing Expo Matchmaking Service, a high-profile networking service designed to help connect new and existing business contacts before the event. The service allows exhibitors and attendees to search contacts by job title, products and services, activities and market sector to maximize time at the show and open the door to new business opportunities.
As in previous events, the Expo also will host the Licensing University Conference, which offers valuable information and insights into the business for newcomers and veterans alike.
The opening night party is one of the highlights of Licensing Expo, with this year’s show moving to The Havana Room and Sky Beach Club at the newly renovated Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel. The party will include a performance by Winter Dance Party, a musical tribute to 1950s rock ’n’ roll icons Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. [