Licensing Expo 2013

Now in its 33rd year, the Licensing Expo, organized by Advanstar Licensing, is the world's largest and most influential annual industry event.

On the show floor, find more than 400 exhibitors representing over 5,000 brands and properties in all sectors of business including entertainment, fashion, sports, publishing, art and design, corporate brands, homewares and lifestyle. Exhibitors, retailers, manufacturers, agents and attendees are from all corners of the globe, with more than 80 countries represented within Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Convention Center walls, making Licensing Expo the only place to be for all things intellectual property.

Click here to see a complete list of Licensing Expo exhibitors.

NEW IN VEGAS

New to the Licensing Expo this year is a re-merchandised show floor that will undoubtedly make shopping the Expo an easier feat than ever before.

The show floor is now divided into four key areas: Art and Design, Characters and Entertainment, Brands and Agents and the Fashion District.

Among the more than 70 cutting-edge artists, designers and art agents featured within the Art and Design section is The Art Studio, a place to see artists at work, including Robert Holton of Drizzle Art and Jason Feather of Kreashun. Feather will be creating a full-scale mural during show hours.

In the Character and Entertainment section, find more than 2,800 entertainment powerhouses including brands such as Hello Kitty, Peanuts, One Direction and Angry Birds along with leading studios and companies such as Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Sony, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures, BBC Worldwide and many, many more.

As in years past, a character parade will take place in the Character and Entertainment section, featuring dozens of familiar "faces" opening day, June 18, at 10:30 a.m.

Among the more than 1,800 brands showcased within the Brands and Agents section, find intellectual properties from categories such as household, automotive, publishing, sports, food and beverage, corporate and non-profit companies, as well as a Retail Lounge.

Also new to the show floor is the Factory Innovation Zone.

This new area on the show floor comprising 17 brand-new exhibitors is the gateway to product innovation.

Find out what these market-leading, specialist factories have to offer licensees, licensors and retailers in the Factory Innovation Zone.

SPOTLIGHT ON FASHION

The Fashion District is teeming with the hottest, must-have properties in 2013 and beyond. With more than 50 exhibitors occupying 50 percent more square-feet of devoted fashion and apparel brands, the zone is the largest ever and will feature such marquee brands as ABS by Allen Schwartz, Tracy Anderson, Crocs, Yummie by Heather Thomson, Kathy Ireland, The Cherokee Group, AND1, Skechers, Von Dutch and more.

"Skechers is thrilled to be a featured exhibitor within the first-ever Fashion District at the 2013 Licensing Expo," says Steven Mandel, director, global brand licensing, Skechers. "We believe this new location will funnel some great business opportunities our way. As America's leading family footwear brand, Skechers has built a dynamic licensing program upon the foundation of our fashion, lifestyle, kids and athletic collections. We look forward to meeting prospective licensees and retail partners at the 2013 show, so we can further solidify our position as leader in brand licensing."

Authentic Brands Group and its wide portfolio of properties including Adrienne Vittadini, Judith Leiber, Marilyn Monroe, Hart Schaffner Marx, Hickey Freeman, Taryn Rose, Silverstar and Tapout can be found on the show floor. First time exhibitor Sequential Brands Group and its brands such as Caribbean Joe, DVS Action Sports, Ellen Tracy, Heelys, People's Liberation and William Rast will also be a Fashion District highlight.

"We are excited to present our portfolio of fashion and luxury brands as a key exhibitor in the Fashion District of Licensing Expo," says Nick Woodhouse, president and chief marketing officer, Authentic Brands Group. "Licensing Expo does a phenomenal job connecting best-in-class licensor and licensee attendees dedicated to formulating strong and rewarding business partnership opportunities."

The Fashion District will also include a Fashion District cafe, a place to connect with contacts and prospective clients and relax with a snack or kick back with a DJ while checking out fashion footage on the video wall.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Kicking off the Licensing Expo and sponsored by Advanstar Licensing, event organizer, and LIMA are two informative keynotes.

The opening keynote, "A Licensing Roadmap: Where are we Headed?," will be helmed by Brad Globe, president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Andy Prince, senior category director of toys at Walmart, Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global licensing for Disney Consumer Products and Henry Stupp, director and chief executive officer of The Cherokee Group.

"The opening keynote session has consistently been one of the best attended and most informative events at Licensing Expo," says Charles Riotto, president, LIMA, the exclusive show sponsor. "This year's distinguished group of panelists features leading experts and visionaries representing several of the largest and most successful companies in the world. The session presents a unique opportunity for attendees to interact with some of the best and brightest minds in the industry today."

The four executives will participate in a wide-ranging discussion in which they will explore the state of licensing today and the forces that will impact the industry's future–from the globalization of retailing, communication, brands and products to the effects of technology on interaction with retailers, brands and content, to how the changing media landscape will affect business and more.

The executive keynote panel will be followed by a keynote presentation, "Brands on the Brink of Global Expansion," headlined by actress, fashion icon and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow. Paltrow will tell the story of how her personal newsletters developed over time into Goop: a lifestyle resource for readers around the world. She will also describe her work as co-owner of the Tracy Anderson brand, whose broad range of fitness products–from exercise studios and machines to delivery food and customized DVD programs–are helping people transform their bodies and lives. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session with Paltrow and her business partner, fitness expert Tracy Anderson, and will be led by Tony Lisanti, global editorial director, License! Global.

"Advanstar Licensing is delighted to welcome Gwyneth Paltrow as a keynote speaker at Licensing Expo," says Jessica Blue, vice president, Licensing Expo. "We look forward to sharing her business knowledge and experience of building successful brands with show attendees."

The expert panel keynote will open this year's Licensing Expo and take place June 18 at 8:30 a.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, followed by Paltrow's presentation keynote at 11:30 a.m. Both events are free to all Licensing Expo attendees.

PARTY WITH THE SMURFS

Licensing Expo can't just be all about work. Take your networking outdoors to the Mandalay Bay Beach Club for an opening night party, in association with LIMA and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The party, which will feature an appearance by international, multi-platinum artist Flo Rida and music by his official DJ, DJ Kronik, will also kick off a summer of Sony's The Smurfs 2, as blue-themed cocktails will surely be all the rage. The party begins at 8:30 p.m. on June 18.

MOBILE APP

Do you need the fastest route from one booth to another? Are you searching for a particular brand or exhibitor? Are you looking for your next Licensing University seminar? Don't worry, Licensing Expo has you covered with its new mobile app. Just enter www.mobile.licensingexpo.com or scan the QR code here to access the app and search for exhibitors on the interactive floor plan, review conference schedules and get up-to-date show alerts.

Click here to see a complete list of Licensing Expo exhibitors.