First Licensing Expo China Debuts with Great Success with more than 35,000 Trade Visitors in Attendance

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The first Licensing Expo China attracted more than 35,000 global professional visitors at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) with the industry in attendance giving its whole-hearted support. Licensing Expo China 2017 debuted with more than 80 exhibitors and over 230 brands and licensing properties placing China front and center as it enters a new era of licensing. 

Industry professionals gathered under the same roof for Licensing Expo China

Licensing Expo China is part of UBM Licensing Group, the organizer of Licensing Expo Las Vegas (United States), Brand Licensing Europe (London, United Kingdom), Licensing Expo Japan (Tokyo, Japan), and NYC Summit (New York, United States), and the publisher of the licensing industry's most influential publication: License! Global.

The debut of Licensing Expo China 2017 attracted many leaders at the forefront of the industry. The opening ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Charles M. Riotto, president and CEO, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA); Hong Ying, general manager, Licensing Unit & Entertainment Business, Alibaba; Claire Gilchrist, vice president, Asia-Pacific Marketing, Hasbro; Bo Zheng, chairman, China Brands Group; Xiaoxing Luo, general manager, Licensing Business Division, Alpha Group Co., Ltd.; Wolfram Diener, senior vice president, UBM Asia; Margaret Ma-Connolly, managing director, UBM China, vice president, UBM Asia and Jessica Blue, senior vice president, Licensing, Global Licensing Group at UBM plc.

Brand and licensing properties across categories participated at the event

Licensing Expo China 2017 gathered a number of popular entertainment and cartoon characters from Mattel, Hasbro, Alpha, Fanta and many others. Also at Licensing Expo China 2017 were companies from diverse categories, including the British Museums, Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Dunhuang Academy (Art & Culture), Lamborghini, Budweiser (Brands/ Trademarks), BBC Earth (TV), LPGA (Sports), Paul Frank, Pancoat (Lifestyle), Angry Birds (Games) and more.

The Cheongsam Fashion Show exhibited drawings that were created by the artist, Yifei Chen, an iconic Chinese painter as well as an art and film director. In the Traditional Chinese Art and Craft Gallery and China Museums Artwork showcased paper-cutting, Chinese New Year's paintings, comics, and other traditional Chinese artwork and merchandise in one place. The show floor provided immense opportunities for art and culture licensing properties to meet and create relationships with licensees.

Educational sessions to explore the huge potential of China's licensing market

Licensing Expo China also hosted a variety of Licensing Seminars, which covered a range of topics on global licensing trends including sports, art and movies, and the licensing of lifestyle properties in China. 33 speakers presented at 13 sessions of licensing seminars which provided in-depth information on best practices and market trends on diverse industries such as licensing, games, TV/ films, sports, art and lifestyle.

Speakers and panelists included, Mr. Charles M. Riotto, president, LIMA; Mr. Kermid Rahman, vice president & general manager, Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media; Mr. PC Xu, general manager of ancillary business, Oriental DreamWorks; Mr. Vincent Ye, vice president, Rovio (Shanghai) Commerce & Trading Co., Ltd.; Ms. Toni Qiu, director, Greater China Consumer Products, Mattel; Ms. Sue Perez-Jackson, senior director, Global Licensing, Smithsonian Institution; Ms. Jing Han, partner, Alfilo Brands Co., Ltd.; Mr. Sean Chu, founder & CEO, Wekids Interactive Technologies (Beijing) Ltd.; Mr. CHAN Wah Chun Ivan, CEO, Promotional Partners Worldwide.

Potential licensees from different industries also had the opportunity to join business matching sessions with more than 230 brands and licensing properties to explore a wide variety of business opportunities.

Organized by LIMA and Licensing Expo China, the first ever China Licensing Awards is the industry's most anticipated award ceremony hosting 35 finalists from 7 categories who were hand-picked at the show. Winners were announced at the China Licensing Awards Night on July 18, 2017.

• Best China Property of the Year: Super Wings (Owner/ Agent: Alpha Group Co., Ltd.)
• Best Licensed Promotion of the Year: Angry Birds Movie X McDonalds Promotion in 2016 (Promotional partner: McDonald's)
• Best Corporate Brand/ Fashion/ Lifestyle Program of the Year: Paul Frank (Owner/ Agent: Saban Brands/ CBG Original Culture (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
• Best Location-Based/Experiential Initiative of the Year: Goats Steps (Property: Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf)
• Best Licensee of the Year: Saban Brands/CBG Original Culture (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Property: Paul Frank)
• Best Character/Film/Television/Entertainment of the Year: Super Wings (Owner/ Agent: Alpha Group Co., Ltd.)
• Best Retailer of the Year Award: Tmall.com (Property: Barbie)

"Undoubtedly, China is one of the fastest growing licensing markets," said Ms. Margaret Ma-Connolly, managing director, UBM China, Vice President, UBM Asia. "We cover a comprehensive range of licensing to showcase brands and licensing properties in the same place to engage with industry stakeholders for effective, efficient and high-quality business matching to explore the huge potential of China's licensing market."

Licensing Expo China 2018 will be held from July 25-27, 2018, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Learn more about the annual event: www.licensingexpochina.com.

About Licensing Expo China

Licensing Expo China was known from 2012-2016 as the Licensing Zone at CBME China. The Expo was launched as an independent trade show on 18-20 July 2017, co-located with CBME China. Licensing Expo China is part of the Global Licensing Group at UBM, the global licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner.  

About Global Licensing Group 

The Global Licensing Group at UBM is the global licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide opportunities around the world to bring brands and products together to explore and cement licensing partnerships. The following events and information products are produced for the licensing industry by the Global Licensing Group: Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo China, NYC Summit, License Global magazine, License Global Daily E-news and License TV.

About UBM

UBM plc is the largest pure-play B2B Events organizer in the world. In an increasingly digital world, the value of connecting on a meaningful, human level has never been more important. At UBM, our deep knowledge and passion for the industry sectors we serve allow us to create valuable experiences where people can succeed. At our events people build relationships, close deals and grow their businesses. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors – from fashion to pharmaceutical ingredients. These global networks, skilled, passionate people and market-leading events provide exciting opportunities for business people to achieve their ambitions.

SOURCE UBM