Advanstar Licensing, which produces Licensing International in Las Vegas and Brand Licensing Europe in London, will open the doors on its second Brand Licensing Central and Eastern Europe event in Budapest, Hungary, March 7-8.

The success of last year's inaugural event emphasized that Eastern Europe is a market that can no longer be ignored by the licensing industry. The region's growth is twice that of Western Europe and consumer demand for branded goods is rapidly increasing.

Budapest is the ideal destination for the event: it has a high ratio of retail space per capita and it is no more than a two hour flight from any point in Europe (as well being directly connected to the U.S., Asia and Africa).

Like last year's show, BLC&EE 2011 will host seminars and a networking event. It will market directly to the retailers, manufacturers/licensees and sales promotion professionals that are relevant to the licensing industry, while focusing on the event's mission: deliver content that attracts the right visitors.

This year the show is working closely with local trade magazines to ensure that all the right buyers know why they should attend the event. Marketers and promotions people from relevant consumer brand companies in the region will be targeted. The show will continue to build on connections made last year with local trade associations and research bodies (such as Planet Retail) to add insight and to bridge the education gap. A full public relations campaign will engage with the local media and highlight exhibited brands.

Past exhibitors have included Kidz Entertainment, ELC and Plus Licens, the three principal licensing agents specializing in the region, together with international principals such as Turner CN Enterprises and Fremantle Media Enterprises. Kidz Entertainment, Plus Licens and Fremantle have already confirmed their places on the show floor again this year, as well as JAST Co. and Maui & Sons.

Kidz Entertainment, which brings brands such as Lego, Smurfs, Beyblade and "Masha and the Bear", told License! Global: "We are looking forward to another great Budapest show which last year helped to build great partnerships across Eastern Europe."

Slovenia-based agency Maat Entertainment, will exhibit for the first time. Its representations include the Fitzroy Media brands, Funny Face and Secret Wings in Eastern Europe and Umko worldwide. The company, founded by Matjaz Felih, is Slovenia's only licensing agency.

"Umko" is an animated series, first aired in 2007, and signed by a number of Slovenian companies for food, school, apparel and paper-based products. Its most successful license to date is a bank savings account for children, taken by Sparkasse, one of the leading banks in Slovenia. Procter & Gamble has co-branded Umko with some of its children's brands including Duracell and Oral-B. Maat is now looking for sub agents for Umko in all territories.

A full list of exhibitors, details of the seminar program and networking events are available at www.brandlicensing-budapest.com.

Brand Licensing Central and Eastern Europe will take place at the Royal Corinthia Hotel.