Licensing International Expo to Light Up Las Vegas

More than 400 exhibitors will open their booths up to attendees on Tuesday, June 2, at Licensing International Expo 2009. For the first time, the event will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Georgiann DeCenzo, executive vice president of Advanstar Communications, and Charles Riotto, LIMA president, will welcome attendees and exhibitors during an opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m. PDT.

In addition to the new venue, the Licensing International Expo will introduce two new exclusive exhibitor sections, an enhanced show experience, new conference sessions, and more.

Felix the Cat, Mr. Bean, Clifford the Big Red Dog and others will join a parade of the world's most popular and lovable characters, held on the new 7th Avenue Fashion Pavilion's runway. These unique celebrities, among more than 7,000 brands and properties to be highlighted on the show floor, will be available immediately afterward for press photographs.

During the event, June 2 to 4, the Runway at 7th Avenue will be the site of fashion shows held daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Nearly 75 companies—led by Beverly Hills Polo Club International, Crew Only Clothing Company, Angel of Peace by Warri International, Skin Industries, Maui and Sons and Monnalisa—are lined up and ready to flaunt the best in fashion/apparel.

The opening ceremony will kick off three days of networking, deal making and buzz, as licensing executives from more than 82 countries across the globe build strategic partnerships, preview the world's hottest properties and ink deals that keep consumer products flying off retail shelves through 2010.