The Global Licensing Group Column: It Starts HereThe Global Licensing Group Column: It Starts Here

Global Licensing Group

What is the Global Licensing Group  

The Global Licensing Group – part of Informa Markets – is dedicated to advancing the business of brand licensing, intellectual property extension, collaborations and partnerships for a global community of brand owners, consumer product manufacturers, retailers and service providers.   

Through its best-in-class tradeshows – such as Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, Brand Licensing Europe in London, Licensing Expo Shanghai, Licensing for Retail U.K. Conference and France Licensing Day – in-depth news and trend reports via industry thought leader License Global and educational programs such as Licensing Unlocked, the Global Licensing Group is the ultimate partner for brand licensing professionals at every stage of their journey. 

Connecting the brand licensing industry with the networks and knowledge they need to succeed, the Global Licensing Group reaches over 265,000 brand licensing professionals from over 120 countries across its media and events platforms.   

Key Brand Licensing Dates for 2025  

Related:Licensing Expo 2025 Opens Registration

Key Brand Licensing Milestones from 2024  

Licensing Expo, the premier global event for brand licensing, IP extension, partnerships and collaborations, once again proved its status as the most significant platform for brand expansion worldwide. The 2024 edition brought together over 12,000 international attendees and showcased over 5,000 brands on the show floor, including 106 first-time exhibitors.  

The energy in Las Vegas was undeniable, as retailers turned out in record numbers, driving a remarkable 35% increase in attendance. The event also achieved its highest-ever number of qualified retail buyers, a testament to Licensing Expo's growing influence in the global licensing community. Registration for the 2025 event is now open, and the momentum continues to build.  

"Following last year's record-breaking attendance, Licensing Expo has grown to host over 12,000 visitors from 77 countries and doubled its retail attendance since 2019," says Anna Clarke, senior vice president, Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. "In 2025, expect fresher IP, more global representation, and an even stronger focus on retail. We're also thrilled to bring back our enhanced online Event Planner, which facilitated over 8,500 meetings in 2024, helping attendees schedule in-person meetings and drive more efficient business development."  

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

The numbers speak for themselves: 12,000 attendees, 5,000 brands, 106 new exhibitors and a 35% increase in domestic and international retailers. To everyone who joined the show — as a brand, retailer, manufacturer, speaker, partner or team member — the message from the Global Licensing Group is one of thanks for making Licensing Expo 2024 one to remember.  

"The licensing industry continues to witness unprecedented innovation year over year and Licensing Expo is the ultimate catalyst for these advancements," says Amanda Cioletti, vice president, content and strategy, License Global. "It's where connections are made, ideas are launched, and the industry's most exciting developments take center stage."  

Looking ahead, Licensing Expo 2025 is already shaping up to maintain momentum. Confirmed exhibitors include Hasbro, Jazwares, LEGO, KOCCA, Bravado, NBC Universal, CAA Brand Management, Crayola, SEGA, BBC Studios, The Pokémon Company International Inc Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Crayola, Paramount Global, Moonbug Entertainment, Ubisoft, The Coca-Cola Company and Peanuts Worldwide. More notable names are joining the roster weekly, setting the stage for another unmissable year.  

Related:BLE at 25: The Licensing Industry’s Favorite Memories

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) marked a significant milestone in 2024, celebrating its 25th anniversary with record-breaking success. The event welcomed over 10,847 attendees from 172 countries, representing a 12% increase in overall attendance and a 22% rise in retailer visitors compared to 2023.  

Celebrations for the 25th anniversary galvanized various special events, including the BLE Silver Jubilee Party, which brought the licensing community together to mark the occasion in style. 

The BLE online Event Planner further fueled engagement, facilitating over 6,200 meetings and underscoring the show's role as a vital hub for networking and business growth. Other highlights included innovative keynote sessions and panel discussions featuring industry leaders, focusing on trends such as sustainability, digital transformation, and emerging global markets.  

BLE 2024 simultaneously celebrated its history and looked to the future, reaffirming its importance as a key moment for connection and creative inspiration for the brand licensing community in Europe. With attendees and exhibitors applauding the event's energy and success, the show's 25th anniversary became a milestone year for the licensing community with a lofty bar set for 2025. 

Save the date for Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, 2025 from May 20-22 and get your tickets here. 

Data Source: License Global