LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanstar Licensing, organizers of Licensing Expo, and The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), the show's exclusive sponsor, jointly announce that creative director of House of Harlow 1960, actress, author, entrepreneur, philanthropist and fashion icon Nicole Richie, will deliver The Big Interview keynote address. The keynote will be presented Tuesday, June 17, at 2:30 p.m. as a Q-and-A session, moderated by Tony Lisanti, editor-in-chief of License! Global magazine. Licensing Expo is the world's largest and most influential brand, character, entertainment and art licensing event. More than 5,000 brands seeking licensing partners and product collaborations will be represented at the Expo, which takes place June 17-19, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

"Advanstar Licensing is delighted to welcome Nicole Richie as a keynote speaker at Licensing Expo," says Jessica Blue, vice president, Licensing Expo. "We look forward to Nicole sharing her business expertise and insights to building successful fashion and lifestyle brands with our attendees and exhibitors."

Charles Riotto, president, LIMA, adds, "We look forward to giving our members and all Licensing Expo attendees the opportunity to hear directly from Nicole Richie, one of the industry's noteworthy success stories, about the business-boosting power of licensing at this year's Expo."

Richie is the founder and creative director of the House of Harlow 1960 brand, which she launched in 2008. The House of Harlow 1960 label encompasses the categories of jewelry (in partnership with Glamhouse), eyewear, handbags, shoes and ready-to-wear (in partnership with Majestic Mills). The collection is available globally at high-end department, specialty and online stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Selfridges, Shopbop and many others. Richie has also launched a perfume, Nicole by Nicole Richie, in 2012, as well as the Nicole Richie Collection for QVC and an Impulse Collection for Macy's.

The Licensing Expo will open with a keynote presentation from Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer and co-founder, DreamWorks Animation, Tuesday, June 17, at 8 a.m. Both keynote presentations are free to all Licensing Expo attendees and exhibitors.

"I am thrilled to be addressing the executive audience of licensing and brand extension professionals at Licensing Expo. I've learned more than I ever imagined through the years while driving the creative vision of my brand extensions through House of Harlow 1960, Glamhouse, Majestic Mills, Modern Vintage, QVC, Macy's and Marks & Spencer. Today there are many places/channels for a designer to express their point-of-view and distribute their merchandise and I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with branded product with Licensing Expo attendees and providing a #candidlynicole look into the industry," commented Richie.

Richie will exhibit alongside brands such as Juicy Couture, ale by Alessandra, William Rast, Von Dutch, Crocs, kathy ireland Worldwide and many others in the new Fashion & Lifestyle zone at Licensing Expo.

For more information and to register for free, visit www.licensingexpo.com.
For more Licensing Expo news, visit www.licensingexpo.com or follow on Twitter (@licensingexpo), on Facebook or via LinkedIn.

About Advanstar Communications Inc. (www.advanstar.com):
Advanstar is an event and marketing services business that serves business professionals and consumers in the Fashion, Licensing, Life Sciences and Powersports industries with its portfolio of 134 events, 30 publications, over 200 electronic products and websites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enable Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 600 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

About Licensing Expo (www.licensingexpo.com):
Now in its 34^th year, Licensing Expo is the world's largest and most influential annual trade show dedicated to licensing and brand extension. The show floor is merchandised into five zones: Character & Entertainment, Fashion & Lifestyle, Art & Design, Brands & Agents and Sourcing & Production. More than 15,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors and licensing agents attend from more than 90 countries. Licensing Expo is owned and organized by Advanstar Communications, Inc. and is sponsored by The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). Advanstar Communications, Inc. also owns and operates License! Global magazine and Brand Licensing Europe.

About LIMA
LIMA - the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association - is the leading trade organization for the global licensing industry. Founded in 1985, LIMA maintains offices in New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Melbourne, with representatives in India, Italy, Korea, Spain, Turkey and the Middle East.  Members in over 35 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including LIMANET – licensing's interactive, global directory – extensive educational programming, and worldwide networking events. LIMA is the exclusive sponsor of Licensing Expo, the industry's largest trade event, in addition to shows in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Visit www.licensing.org for more information and to utilize licensing's definitive online resource.  www.licensing.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140429/81823

SOURCE Advanstar Communications Inc.