Over three days, 15,702 licensing professionals attended the show, representing a 5% increase from last year's event. The show featured 482 exhibiting companies in 218,872 net square feet with an additional 100,0000 square feet of conference and special event space used daily. More press attended than ever before, with 120 journalists working the show and covering news from exhibitors.
The increased attendance from retailers was noted by many exhibitors who met with, among others, Target, Kohl's, Amazon.com, Pottery Barn, J.C. Penney, Old Navy, Claire's, Walgreens, Cost Plus World Market, Wet Seal, Best Buy, Williams-Sonoma, Forever 21, Walmart and Hot Topic. International retailers were also well represented including Tesco, H&M, El Palacio de Hierro, Argos, Toys "R" Us Asia, Liverpool, BHS, Debenhams America, C&A Brasil, Falabella, Soriana and Myer Department Stores. The increase in retailers, licensees, advertising and sales promotion professionals was offset by a decrease in the number of licensors and service providers coming to the show as attendees, as more licensors than ever before made the decision to exhibit instead.
All product categories were strongly represented, from toys and games to automotive, mobile and home decor. Significant increases in attendance were seen for the second year in apparel and accessories (+14%), food and beverage (+12%) and publishing (+10%).
The show, sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), also saw attendance from China increase by 69% and a 38% rise in attendees from Japan. Licensing Expo continued to attract people who are the licensing decision-makers within their organization with 90% of attendees holding that key role.
Highlights from the show included The Opening Keynote from DreamWorks Animation co-founder and CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Motorsports Cafe sponsored by Shell, The Opening Night Party co-hosted by CMA and sponsored by NFL Players Inc. and LIMA and The Big Interview with Nicole Richie.
Jessica Blue, vice president of Licensing Expo said, "We focused our marketing efforts for this year's show on bringing more retailers to Licensing Expo and we're thrilled the hard work paid off. So much business was being done and the feedback on the quality of the attendees was overwhelmingly positive. The Advanstar Licensing team has already started to build on this success for 2015."
More than 70% of the 2014 floor space was re-booked for 2015 at the show, which is testament to the success of the three-day event. Licensing Expo 2015 takes place June 9-11, 2015 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
For more information, visit www.licensingexpo.com.
For more Licensing Expo news, visit www.licensingexpo.com or find them on Twitter ( @licensingexpo), on Facebook or via LinkedIn.
About Advanstar Communications Inc. (
www.advanstar.com):
Advanstar is an event and marketing services business that serves business professionals and consumers in the Fashion, Licensing, Life Sciences and Powersports industries with its portfolio of 134 events, 30 publications, over 200 electronic products and websites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enable Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 600 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.
About Licensing Expo (
www.licensingexpo.com):
Now in its 34th year, Licensing Expo is the world's largest and most influential annual trade show dedicated to licensing and brand extension. The show floor is merchandised into five zones: Character & Entertainment, Fashion & Lifestyle, Art & Design, Brands & Agents and Sourcing & Production. More than 15,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors and licensing agents attend from more than 90 countries. Licensing Expo is owned and organized by Advanstar Communications, Inc. and is sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). Advanstar Communications, Inc. also owns and operates License! Global magazine and Brand Licensing Europe.
SOURCE Advanstar Communications, Inc.
| Contact: |
| Advanstar Communications, Inc.
Licensing Expo Laura Zilverberg, Allison+Partners, (623) 201.5556 Web: www.advanstar.com |