For the first time ever, Advanstar Licensing in association with the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association, will be holding an all-industry networking event at this year’s Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, Nev.

To celebrate the July 31 release of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s The Smurfs 2, the event will be Smurf-themed and will take place at the Mandalay Bay Beach Club on the first night of Licensing Expo 2013, June 18.

Featuring Smurfs-themed cocktails, appetizers, an open bar and a DJ, the casual beach party is designed to create an irreplaceable networking opportunity during the licensing industry’s biggest event.

“‘More networking opportunities’ is the No. 1 request we hear from attendees and exhibitors at Licensing Expo, so we partnered with LIMA to combine two smaller events we both typically do into one big opening night networking party for the entire industry,” say Chris DeMoulin, president of licensing, Advanstar Licensing. “Licensors, retailers, licensees, manufacturers, marketing partners–everyone is invited. And we’re thrilled to have Sony join us in to helping everyone ‘get smurfed’ at the beach.”

The Licensing Expo Opening Night Party will take place at 8:30 p.m. June 18 at the Mandalay Bay Beach Club. The event is open to anyone who wants to attend. Tickets are $50 per person ($40 for LIMA members) or $45 for groups of 20 or more.

For details and to buy tickets, click here.