Licensing Expo Returns In-person to Las Vegas May 24-26 and Confirms Theme for 2022

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Licensing Expo, the world's most influential event connecting the global licensing community, today announced the event will return in-person to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in 2022. Produced in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, the highly anticipated return to the live, interactive event is scheduled for May 24-26.

The in-person experience will deliver three days of face-to-face networking, supported by a robust online offering to enhance the attendee and exhibitor experience after the successful Licensing Expo Virtual that wrapped last week and saw more than 6,000 meetings take place virtually over three days. Visit here to save the date and be notified of registration opening.

"For more than 40 years, Licensing Expo has served as the gathering place for the global licensing community to network, ink deals, and celebrate," said Anna Knight, Vice President, Licensing, Informa Markets, organizer of the event. "We are utterly thrilled to share that we are returning to Las Vegas in-person in 2022, bringing with us a new-age format that encompasses the best of in-person connections enhanced by the best that digital has to offer."

Fueling industry engagement and discovery, the event will serve as a cross-category preview of what intellectual properties and emergent trends will shape new consumer behaviors and influence pop culture headlines across the globe.

Knight continued: "For many of our exhibitors and attendees alike, this event is where new business connections are made or renewed. It's incredibly powerful to explore the vibrant Expo floor and discover your next partnership or experience the up-and-coming products that will line retail shelves and shape consumer behaviors in the coming years."

"Licensing is so tactile, this community wants to feel and experience an IP during business meetings, and Licensing Expo provides a platform to do just that," said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. "We hope to see many returning faces and look forward to welcoming newcomers in Las Vegas in a few short months, so we can share the renewed industry-building excitement and ample opportunity that Expo provides."

Licensing Expo 2022 Theme: Location-based Experience

Following the prolonged absence of live events, Licensing Expo also revealed the 2022 theme that complements the changing way in which consumers engage with brands. As fans increasingly demand ways to demonstrate brand affinity, the drive to fully immerse into a favorite licensed property becomes the ultimate goal.

Whether it's a "Stranger Things"-themed drive-into experience, a "Peppa Pig" theme park land, a “SpongeBob SquarePants” hotel, or a Smiley art walk, a new generation of location-based experiences are popping up around the world, enabling consumers to show up, share and engage.

With a significant number of experiential licensing deals currently in development, expect to see considerable growth in the entertainment space, with increasing opportunities for the retail, arts, sports, and travel/tourism industries, to name just a few.

Interactive features that will incorporate the 2022 theme include:

• At least three show floor activations;
• The must-attend opening night party;
• Designated business lounges featuring up to 1,200-sq-ft of space to conduct business meetings on the show floor;
• Onsite immersive cafes;
• And so much more!

Retailers, manufacturers, and brand owners interested in partaking in the 2022 event are invited to save the date at www.LicensingExpo.com to reconnect with the licensing community in-person and online in May.

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About Licensing Expo

Launched in 1980, Licensing Expo is the world's largest and most influential annual tradeshow dedicated to licensing and brand extension. More than 5,000 brands and 16,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors, and licensing agents attend Licensing Expo from more than 70 countries every year. Licensing Expo is a part of the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, the licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide licensing opportunities around the world by bringing brands and products together.

About Licensing International

Licensing International is the leading trade organization for the $290+ billion global brand licensing industry. Licensing International's mission is to foster the growth and expansion of brand licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Founded in 1985, Licensing International members in over 40 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events. Visit www.LicensingInternational.org for more information.