]>

Kudos to our industry, as not only was Licensing nternational Show abuzz with newness (said retailers, licensees, and members of the press), but thanks to you, $400,000 of the $1 million over a five-year period commitment by LIMA to The Children's Brain Tumor Foundation was raised. Yet, further testament to the strength of our industry...and, since much of our business relates to children, a "give-back" that's much needed and deserved. LIMA Charity Committee Co-Chairs Leigh Anne Brodsky and Cheryl Stobeneau also must be applauded, as they called upon (and will continue to call upon) and worked with so many of you in this ongoing fundraising effort. Let's shoot to top it next year.

This issue, we bring you the best of Licensing International 2005 Show, a pictorial of the parties, launches, awards, show floor, and tidbits of news as an easy recap for you. Coverage begins on p. 30.

As you are doing your own follow-up to the show, you probably are scheduling your next opportunity to network with some of the same (and other) licensing professionals. Well, that's just the reason we created LINK (Licensing International Networking Conference) Las Vegas. Being held during the last day-and-a-half of MAGIC Marketplace, August 31 and September 1, LINK Las Vegas is our newest must-attend conference event. Supported by MAGIC, NPD Group, Fashionsnoops, and The Doneger Group, LINK Las Vegas blends fashion licensing with entertainment and sports licensing. Our speaker lineup will focus on "Avoiding a Sour Note in Music Licensing," "Making Your Brand a Star in Movies and TV," and "From Deere to Diddy: How to Build a Lifestyle Brand." These sessions, among others, will be complemented by keynote sessions, including "The Secrets of Target's Licensing Success," to be presented by Laura Rowley, author of "On Target: How the World's Hottest Retailer Hit a Bull's-Eye." Of course, in between sessions and after sessions, there'll be time for networking...and in what better place than the Bellagio Hotel. So, if you're planning to be at MAGIC anyway, be sure to include LINK Las Vegas in your plans. Log on to www.linkconference.com for more details.

For those of you who will not be able to attend LINK Las Vegas...don't despair. From October 5 to 7, LINK New York will be held at The Roosevelt Hotel. There's always follow-up to the follow-up. LINK New York's seminar lineup and keynote sessions will be announced shortly...I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, questions, comments, story ideas? E-mail me or phone (212) 951-6707.