Licensing International Expo Welcomes New Exhibitors

NEW YORK, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year's Licensing International Expo hosted 400 exhibiting companies, representing more than 7,000 brands and licenses, making it the largest, most diverse collection of properties available for licensing worldwide. The lineup for the 2010 show is just as impressive.

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Exhibitors this year will include key companies from years past, as well as more than 100 first time exhibitors that are breaking on to the licensing scene. The new companies at this year's expo range from entertainment to interactive to fashion. Among them are big and diverse names such as: Atlantyca, Live Nation, Saban, Sea World (Busch Entertainment), Sony Computer Entertainment, The Sharper Image, Ubisoft and Vermont Teddy Bear.

Licensing International Expo is where the industry comes to discover new partnerships, track trends and extend brands into new categories. According to Federico de Bellegarde, vice president of licensing at The Sharper Image, "The Sharper Image's objective at Licensing International Expo 2010 is to partner with best-in-trade manufactures with significant product development capabilities." Meanwhile, companies like Ubisoft are looking for ways to reach new consumers. "Ubisoft is continually looking for licensing opportunities that transform our video game brands into a 360-degree entertainment experience, whether that's through toys, comic books, movies or board games," says Jean Raymond, licensing sales director at Ubisoft.

Exhibit hall staples will also be there, including: 4Kids, American Greetings, BBC Worldwide, Beanstalk, Cartoon Network, CBS Consumer Products, Disney, Dreamworks, FremantleMedia, Hasbro, The Joester Loria Group, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Mattel, Inc., Paramount, Rainbow, Skechers, Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, United Media, Universal and Warner Bros.

Licensing International Expo takes place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, June 8-10, 2010. Visit www.licensingexpo.com for more information.

About Licensing International Expo

Celebrating its 30th year, Licensing International Expo is the most established licensing event in the world and has become a global marketplace for leveraging brand and property equity for developing new licensed consumer products. The show's appeal brings together top- level retail and manufacturing executives from more than 82 countries who look to Licensing International Expo to discover new brands and revenue generating opportunities within the $191 Billion licensing industry. Licensing International Expo is sponsored by LIMA.  This years show will take place June 8-10, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information, please visit www.licensingexpo.com.

Follow the 2010 Licensing International Expo on Twitter at twitter.com/licensingexpo and visit the Licensing International Expo Fan Page on Facebook (www.licensingexpo.com/facebook).

About Advanstar Communications

Advanstar Communications Inc. (www.advanstar.com), producer of Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand Licensing Central & Eastern Europe and License! Global Magazine, is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the License, Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports 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 innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 1,000 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

About LIMA

Founded in 1985, LIMA is the worldwide trade organization for the licensing industry. LIMA's main objective is to work together with licensors and licensees for the advancement of professionalism in licensing through research, national and international seminars, trade events and publications. With members in 35 countries, and offices in New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, members enjoy access to a wide variety of activities, information and benefits. LIMA is a proud sponsor of the annual Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, LiMa Licensing Market (Munich), Day of Licensing (Cologne), Licensing Asia (Tokyo), Shanghai Licensing Pavilion and the Hong Kong Licensing Show. In addition, LIMA offers ways to jump start a career in licensing through its Certificate in Licensing Studies (CLS) program, which is the only educational course specifically designed to prepare professionals to succeed in the ever-changing licensing industry, and the flip (Future LIMA Industry Professionals) program offering support and networking for industry newcomers. For more information please visit www.licensing.org.

SOURCE Licensing International Expo