International attendance up as visitor numbers hit 16,209 for three-day show.
This year’s Licensing Expo was the most successful show to date, with over 16,000 visitors heading through the doors of the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas over three days.
The event – organised by UBM Americas – recorded 16,209 visitors, including a rise in international attendance over three consecutive years.
The countries with the greatest increase in representation were Argentina (+95%), Colombia (+153%), Italy (+47%), New Zealand (+78%), China (+60%) and India (+34%).
Retail buyers from the likes of Walgreens, McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Argos, Walmart, Kohl’s, Toys R Us, Alibaba Group and Coach among others all attended.
The new Matchmaking Service was also a hit, helping to book 2,569 meetings between brand owners, licensees and retailers, with 37% of attendees and exhibitors using the service.
Jessica Blue, svp UBM Licensing, said: “One of the many reasons brands and licensing professionals come to the Expo is to make quality connections and hold productive, deal-making meetings.
“We are thrilled to offer this groundbreaking Matchmaking Service to effectively fulfil that need, and to have so many exhibitors and attendees take advantage of the service in its first year.”
Over 5,000 brands were featured on the show floor, from 489 exhibiting companies across 240,000 square feet, an increase of three per cent from 2015. In addition, the Expo also welcomed 218 new exhibitors (up 31% from 2015).
Over 74% of the 2016 floor space also re-booked for 2017.
Licensing Expo 2017 will run from May 23-25 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas.
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