Licensing International Expo 2010 Ends on High Note

This week’s Licensing International Expo saw many new exhibitors, new faces and celebrities, as well as a strong increase in attendance. The 30th anniversary event held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas touted more than 400 exhibitors, including 130-plus first timers, and an international attendance up 22 percent over last year.Dozens of exhibitors interviewed by License! Global said the show was a tremendous success.“The entire team at Warner Bros. Consumer Products could not be happier with this year’s show,” says Victor Allen, vice president of worldwide marketing to WBCP. “Traffic and attendance have been non-stop at the Warner Bros.’ booth, including both U.S. and international licensees and partners. This year’s show was amazing. The show in Vegas is back on top and 2011 promises to be even bigger and better.”In addition, the event experienced widespread media coverage and for the first time featured a live streaming video program that spotlighted more than 25 interviews with exhibitors and attendees.Earlier this week, the Advanstar Global Licensing Group reported pre-registered retail attendance was up 55 percent over last year for the show. In addition, international attendance was at 22 percent with more than 90 countries represented, including Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong and the U.K. General attendee pre-registration was at 20,000. As previously reported by License! Global, overseas retailers registered to attend included Tesco, Sainsbury's, Carrefour, HMV, Mothercare, Next, Marks & Spencer, ASDA and Toys"R"Us.Licensing International Expo 2011 will take place June 14 to 16, 2011, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.licensingexpo.com.