A packed program of in-person networking events and live content has been confirmed for Licensing Expo this May. Licensing Expo, which is run in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, is the world’s largest licensing trade show and takes place at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from May 24 to 26. Online registration is free and open now. 

Celebrations will kick off on the evening of Monday, May 23, with the unveiling of this year’s Licensing International Excellence Awards winners. The awards will take place at Light, with free entry from 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24. Doors open at 9 a.m. for the first day of Licensing Expo, with the official Opening Night party taking place later that evening. The party will be hosted at Daylight outdoor beach club from 5:30 p.m. till late and is free to attend for the first time. Finally, exhibitors are invited to join informal drinks at the Eyecandy Sound Lounge and Bar on Wednesday evening. 

Licensing Expo will also host two very special in-person keynotes at midday on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Wednesday’s keynote spotlighting this year’s Location-Based Experiences theme. Attendees will also benefit from the return of Licensing International’s acclaimed Licensing U program, sustainability sessions delivered by Products of Change and the live finale of the License This! Competition on Thursday, May 26. Further details will be confirmed over the coming weeks. 

Additional content and networking opportunities will also be available via the Licensing Expo official online platform. Opening on April 11, the platform is accessible pre-, during and post-show to browse exhibiting brands and IPs, see who’s attending, view exclusive content and schedule meetings to take place both in-person in Las Vegas and online post-event until June 3. 

“The licensing industry is a very sociable community and the lack of opportunity to connect face to face has had a real negative impact on our attendees’ ability to make meaningful connections and drive business,” says Anna Knight, vice president of licensing, Informa Markets. “We’re planning to set this right at Licensing Expo in May and have a wonderful program of events lined up to reconnect people.” 

The extensive networking and content program will support three days of meetings, deal-making and trend spotting. Latest exhibitors confirmed include Bravado, Banijay Brands, Penguin Random House, Zag Studios, Jazwares, Falcon Creative, Shell, Moonbug Entertainment and many more. 

After-hours & Networking Program Overview 

Monday, May 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m.: Licensing International Excellence Awards sponsored by Alifish and InSpirit Designs 

Tuesday, May 24, 5:30 p.m.-late: Licensing Expo Opening Night Party 

Wednesday, May 25, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Exhibitor Drinks 

Keynote & Content Program Overview 

Tickets available for sale soon Thursday May 26, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: License This! Competition live finale 

"The licensing industry has adapted to drastic changes and our content this year is focused on the opportunities that exist to continue to move business forward," says Maura Regan, president, Licensing International. "It's been a long time since we've been able to gather together in Las Vegas and we look forward to celebrating the successes of the past year and providing a platform for networking, new partnerships and learning."