Licensing Expo 2013 reports significant rise in attendance

LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanstar Licensing, organizers of Licensing Expo, the world's largest and most influential entertainment, brand and art licensing industry event saw one of its most successful shows yet in June. 

More than 15,000 licensing professionals attended over the three days, leading to a 10 percent increase from last year's event. Attendance from retailers continued to grow with a 14 percent increase over the previous year with many using the newly introduced Retail Buyers Lounge for meetings throughout the three days. Retailers in attendance included Target, Toys"R"Us, Argos, Sainsbury's, Kohl's, H&M, Amazon.com, BHS, Foot Locker, Marshalls, Old Navy, Claire's, Cost Plus World Market, Best Buy, Forever 21, Walmart, Hot Topic and Carrefour.

All product categories were strongly represented, from toys and games to apparel, food and beverage, and home decor. Significant increases (20 percent +) were seen in attendance from the mobile, publishing, gaming, food and beverage and automotive sectors.

The show, sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA), also saw a 30 percent rise in people who are the final decision-makers within their organization for licensing decisions.  One in every three visitors came from outside the United States, with attendance from Japan, increasing by 35 percent, and a 20 percent increase in visitors from South America, driven by Brazil and Chile.   

New show initiatives including the re-merchandising of the show floor by sector, the online visitor planning tools, the matchmaking booth and the Opening Night Party were very well received. The party was a sell-out with 2,300 people attending. The number of people attending the LIMA-hosted Licensing University more than doubled to 1,000 and attendance at the two keynotes reached a record high of 1,500. 

Jessica Blue, Vice President of Licensing Expo said, "The show floor buzzed with business being done and the feedback from exhibitors and attendees was overwhelmingly positive.  We saw more attendees than ever before and many have commented that the show was much easier to navigate and therefore more productive. The Expo team is so excited to begin building on this success for 2014."

More than 70 percent of the 2013 floor space was re-booked for 2014 at the show, which is testament to the success of the three-day event. Licensing Expo 2014 takes place June 17-19, 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.licensingexpo.com.

For more Licensing Expo news, visit www.licensingexpo.com or find them on Twitter (@licensingexpo), on Facebook or via LinkedIn.

Notes to editors:

About Licensing Expo

Licensing Expo (www.licensingexpo.com) is the licensing industry's largest annual event. A trade show for leveraging properties and brand equity to develop merchandise, Licensing Expo attracts more than 400 exhibitors representing more than 5,000 brands and properties in entertainment; sports; fashion and apparel; publishing; art and design; automotive; animation/anime; home and housewares; and lifestyle. Exhibitors include Fortune 500 consumer brands, film studios, publishing houses and other creative agencies. Attendees from more than 80 countries represent the world's leading retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors and licensing agents. Licensing Expo is owned and organized by Advanstar Communications, Inc., is sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), and is affiliated with License! Global magazine and Brand Licensing Europe.

About Advanstar Communications, Inc.

Advanstar Communications, Inc. (www.advanstar.com), producer of Licensing Expo and Brand Licensing Europe, is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for fashion, life sciences and power sports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovation, quality products and services enable Advanstar to "connect our customers with theirs." Advanstar has approximately 1,000 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

SOURCE Advanstar Communications, Inc.