Focus shifts to Licensing International Expo 2009 at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

After 28 years in New York, Licensing International Expo, the world's premier marketplace for the $187 billion licensing industry, said goodbye to the Jacob Javits Convention Center on Thursday, June 12, turning its focus to expanding business opportunities in Las Vegas in 2009.

Despite the tough economic and physical climate (with New York temperatures above 100 degrees), attendance at the event was on par with 2007's record high, totaling approximately 25,000 licensing, merchandising and retail executives from more than 82 countries.

Since announcing the plan to relocate to Las Vegas earlier this year, Licensing International Expo, a flagship property of Advanstar Communications, has received overwhelming support from the show's key customer base. More than 90% of the exhibitors on the Expo floor in 2008 have already secured space for Licensing International 2009, a current total of 180,000 square feet, including licensing industry giants Disney Consumer Products, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising, Marvel Entertainment International, Brandgenuity, MGM Consumer Products, The Beanstalk Group, Sesame Street, DreamWorks Animation and NASCAR.

"I am overwhelmed by the positive feedback that I have received from the industry about the move," said Advanstar Communications Executive Vice President, Georgiann DeCenzo. "Our customers, as evidenced by their support, are really excited about the many opportunities that Las Vegas affords us to grow the event, and our new home at Mandalay Bay Convention Center will enable us to expand our show floor in terms of exhibit space, categories represented and the number of educational and entertainment options."

MGM Consumer Products Senior Vice President, Paul Flett, is very enthusiastic about the new venue in Las Vegas. "Moving the show will be a great opportunity to give our industry a lift – hopefully we can attract new business partners who may be new to licensing and who can help us all lift our revenues", said Mr. Flett. "We are hopeful we can save on set up costs, and from a logistics perspective, we believe that the new venue will be more conducive to doing business – no long cab rides across the city as we all plan to stay and exhibit at the same location."

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) and its Board of Directors are also excited about the decision to relocate Licensing International Expo to Las Vegas for 2009, based on the opportunities the new facilities will offer.

"The Association is eager to embark on this new chapter in the history of the show and the licensing industry," said LIMA President, Charles Riotto. "The expansive, first-class facilities at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center offer a tremendous opportunity for growth. Services for exhibitors will reflect significant cost savings compared with past years, and the opportunities and excitement of Las Vegas will attract a new and more diverse attendee and exhibitor base to create a much more valuable show experience for everyone," he said.

Licensing International Expo 2009 will be held June 2-4, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. For more information on Licensing International Expo, contact Elizabeth Hitchcock, Show Director at ehitchcock@advanstar.com, 212-951-6613, or visit www.licensingvegas.com.