Licensing Expo Gathers Highest Number of Retailers to Date and Over 12,000 Guests Meeting in Vegas on the Future of LicensingLicensing Expo Gathers Highest Number of Retailers to Date and Over 12,000 Guests Meeting in Vegas on the Future of Licensing

Increased retail engagement, curated design, elevated matchmaking and endless new to show innovation increased opportunities to connect with upcoming and world-leading brands.

License Global

May 29, 2024

4 Min Read
Meetings taking place at Licensing Expo 2024

Licensing Expo, the premier global event for brand licensing, IP extension, partnerships and collaborations, organized by Informa Markets Global Licensing Group and sponsored by Licensing International, convened more than 12,000 international attendees from all categories to engage with more than 5,000 brands represented on the show floor, including 106 first time exhibiting brands, upholding Licensing Expo as the most important annual stage for brand expansion around the world.

Recording a 35 percent increase and a record-high number of qualified retailers, Licensing Expo hosted domestic and international brands across entertainment, sports, fashion, food and beverage, toys and art and design. Top retailers shopping the show floor included Amazon, Burlington Stores, GameStop, Hallmark Cards, Hot Topic, Inditex, Kohls, Lids, Lowes, Macy's, Primark, Target, TJX, Urban Outfitters, Walmart among many more. 

“This year we challenged ourselves to reimagine how we service the global industry, and Licensing Expo continues to find new ways to provide the essential resources throughout the year that keep our businesses connected, informed, educated and engaged,” Anna Clarke, SVP, Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets. “The highest quality of brands, speakers, thought leaders and retailers, all in one place, held critical conversations that will drive the future of the industry, spark new ideas and reinforce impactful relationships. 

Related:License Global Spotlights Gaming, Fashion and Food Among 2025 Growth Categories

Utilizing customer insights, engagement data and market research, three days of live programming was presented throughout the show agenda including highlights in technological, sustainable and forward-driven thinking advancements such as an artificial intelligence (AI) keynote by Zack Kass, former go-to-market at OpenAI; a look at where new franchises might come from with podcasting giant Guy Raz and Wondery’s Nicole Blake; an exclusive look into the 2024 global licensing Industry with Maura Regan, President of Licensing International; uncovering the future of sustainable retail with Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO of Products of Change; a brand licensing forecast with Ben Roberts, Content Director of License Global; and the first-ever Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) panel, hosting executives from Toys R Us, ALDO and Spin Master. 

Paris Hilton spoke intimately to an overflowing audience about her personal journey and what is to come from her global media brand and IP company, 11:11 Media, alongside co-founder Bruce Gersh.  

Top exhibiting companies at Licensing Expo included globally renowned brands such as LEGO, Warner Bros. Discovery, Coca-Cola, The Walt Disney Company, Beanstalk, Mattel, Crunchyroll, Amazon MGM Studios, CD Projekt Red, Airstream, Riot Games, NASCAR and Nintendo, among countless more properties and representatives. Entertainment powerhouses SEGA and Hasbro unveiled never-before-seen and unreleased products as well as production studios Paramount, BBC and SONY debuting new movie posters for upcoming 2024 and 2025 releases alongside limited edition anniversary celebrations and collaborations. The dedicated Meetings Platform facilitated a record-high 8,500 pre-booked meetings across the three days to continue to enable connections and drive the business of brands forward.  

Related:AI Strategy Simplified: Charting AI’s Journey from Humble Beginnings to Technological Transformation

“The energy is the reason we come to Licensing Expo every year. The deal making, the licensors, licensees, retailers, it is all valuable. It is where the magic happens. And the retailers there, that is really where the fun starts to happen,” Sam Ferguson, SVP Global Licensing, Jazwares LLC. 

Sonic the Hedgehog with visitor at Licensing Expo 2024

Five-time Grammy Award winner CeeLo Green took to the stage at the Licensing Expo Opening Night Party, with country trio, Chapel Hart, and young indie star, Jordyn Sugar, opening the show for an unforgettable night of celebration. Opry Entertainment, representing Chapel Hart and Treimage, representing Jordyn Sugar and CeeLo Green were both present throughout the expo as well, bringing culture and music to the forefront. At the end of the evening, Pixis Drones closed out the night with an illuminated sky show.  

The show closed with a vibrant performance by Loud Luxury at elite Hakkasan Las Vegas

The highly anticipated next edition of Licensing Expo will return May 20-22, 2025, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. 

To stay updated on all upcoming events from Global Licensing Group, please visit www.thegloballicensinggroup.com. 

About the Author

License Global

License Global

License Global is the leading news source for the brand licensing industry, delivering award-winning editorial content including news, trends, analysis, and special reports about the global consumer product and retail marketplace.

Through its print edition, website, daily e-newsletter and event publications, License Global reaches more than 150,000 executives and professionals in all major markets. The magazine also serves as the official publication for the sector’s trade events, which include Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, France Licensing Day, Licensing for Retail, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo Shanghai and the Licensing Leadership Summit.

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