IBP Select hosted representatives from Canada, Mexico and Ecuador during Licensing Expo 2017, and also worked to connect U.S. companies with hundreds of other international markets.

Licensing Expo took its international profile to a new level this year with the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program Select, which helped U.S. companies at the event facilitate the expansion of their brands into international markets.

Both international buyers looking for U.S. brands to bring back to their home markets and American companies looking to bring their brands overseas were invited to visit the first-ever International Buyers Lounge to meet with representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.

IBP Select is a joint government/industry effort that brings thousands of international buyers to the U.S. for business-to-business matchmaking with American firms exhibiting at major industry trade shows, like Licensing Expo. Every year, the IBP facilitates billions of dollars of new business between U.S. and international companies.

At Licensing Expo, IBP Select hosted representatives from Canada, Mexico and Ecuador, and also worked to connect U.S. companies with hundreds of other international markets. The organization has about 100 export assistance centers throughout the U.S. and 78 offices at embassies and consulates overseas.

"Licensing Expo 2017 was exciting and a world-class trade show," says Andrea DaSilva, global media and entertainment team leader, U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. "ITA was thrilled to host the first-ever International Buyers Lounge to meet licensors and develop new clients at the show. We are already working with show organizers for the 2018 event ... and we look forward to expanding our presence next year."

ITA will return to Licensing Expo 2018, which will take place May 22-24, to again host the International Buyers Lounge.