Licensing Expo Provides First Glance of Closing Program

Licensing Expo has unveiled a content preview across this year's campus and curated an impactful agenda for the show's final day on Thursday, May 23.   

The final day of Licensing Expo opens with the keynote from artificial intelligence (AI) futurist, Zack Kass, former head, go-to-market, OpenAI, the developers of the ChatGPT chatbot and past advisor of brands including Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley. Kass will talk about the complexities of AI, aiding senior leaders in providing foresight and direction to help organizations adapt and thrive alongside rapid advancements. Kass offers experience and pragmatic insights for major organizations looking to build a brighter future with AI. 

Following the keynote, a panel will discuss "Building Teams" and "How Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Needs to Start at Recruitment," following the keynote. In the spirit of shaping the next generation of the industry, the panel will detail various perspectives and practical solutions for fostering and attracting unique and diverse talent as the industry shines its attention on the next generation of licensing professionals.     

On the last day of Licensing Expo, the event will also partner with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) for the first time to welcome WiT Empowerment Day, to campus. WiT Empowerment Day presents women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs with a forum to pitch products or ideas to top companies and buyers exclusively from Walmart. Mentor Roundtable discussions will also be available to provide learnings from the best in the business.   

Ahead of Licensing Expo, there will also be a specialized WiT Empowerment Day Pitch Prep Program, led by Azhelle Wade, known as The Toy Coach. This program includes preparing product pitches, on-demand video lessons, digital workbooks a virtual Prep Session to ensure Empowerment Day participants are confident and ready for meetings. To find out more about WiT Empowerment Day, go to Womenintoys.com/empowerment-day 

Concluding the final day of education at Licensing Expo, a dedicated panel of chief marketing officers will speak on constructing forward-facing brands and how to connect with audiences while engaging consumers in new and innovative ways.    

"We have invested resources to comprehensively research how we can continue to evolve and offer even more value to our Licensing Expo community and the resounding theme that emerged was the importance of the power of connection and the future of the industry," says Anna Clarke, senior vice president, Global Licensing Group. "Licensing Expo is known as the tentpole destination to secure the biggest and most exciting licensing deals, but this year, we also emphasize the trajectory of the business by crafting this special must-attend closing program for the first time ever in show history."    

"Licensing Expo is about making the most of the entire industry being in Las Vegas at the same time," says Ella Haynes, event director, Licensing Expo. "We want to accentuate all the spaces and places across our whole Mandalay Bay Campus and the intentional touchpoints created to maximize all the chances available to serendipitously meet contacts that could ultimately lead to your next big partnership."  

Licensing Expo has also announced opportunities for attendees to meet before the show. Sunday, May 19, industry association Licensing International (LI) will host its annual networking fundraiser supporting the LI Foundation Scholarship Program at TOPGOLF MGM Grand. The following day, Licensing International's annual Global Excellence Awards will be held on Monday, May 20, at the HyperXArena in the Luxor Hotel & Casino. The Licensing Expo Opening Night Party also returns on Tuesday, May 21, at the Daylight Beach Club, with talent soon to be announced.     

Licensing Expo is the global meeting place for the world's biggest brands, including BBC Studios, Crayola, Crunchyroll, Nintendo, Pokémon, TETRIS, Minecraft, Hasbro, Riot Games, SEGA, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount, Netflix, Amazon MGM Studios, Cloudco Entertainment, Smiley, Chupa Chups, Ubisoft, NBCUniversal, AEG, Absolut, Coca-Cola, Smirnoff, Kellogg's, Air Force/Space Force, CAA Brand Management and Spin Master, among others. 

Additional details for opening and second-day agendas as well as campus programming to be announced. 

For more information or to register to attend or exhibit at Licensing Expo 2024, visit LicensingExpo.com.