Show brings together more than 320 exhibitors, featuring over 700 brands.
The 2020 edition of Asia’s flagship licensing show and conference has opened its doors today (January 6).
The 18th edition of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show runs from January 6-8, while the ninth Licensing Conference takes place on January 6 and 7 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Speaking at this morning’s opening ceremony for the two events, Margaret Fong, HKTDC executive director, said: “In 2018, global retail sales of licensed merchandise were valued at US$280 billion, a 3.2% increase on the previous year. Asia accounted for 12% of the total global market share.
“The Mainland China market continued its impressive growth path, climbing 6.5% year-on-year, and now stands as Asia’s second largest licensing market after Japan. We expect that the Asian and mainland markets will continue to be significant drivers for the industry.”
Margaret added that as an increasing number of businesses explore licensing as a way to move up the value chain, Hong Kong will have a key role to play in facilitating the growth of the industry.
“Benefiting from factors such as a rigorous intellectual property protection regime, robust legal system, professional expertise and proximity to Mainland China and other key Asian economies, Hong Kong provides the ideal platform for global brands and top licensors to access markets across the region,” she said.
This year’s licensing show will play host to more than 320 exhibitors, featuring over 700 brands and properties from companies such as CAA-GBG Global Brand Management Group, IMG, Medialink and Sanrio among others.
In addition, six government-led regional pavilions from Mainland China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong are featured.
The two-day conference strand, meanwhile, will welcome speakers including Maura Regan, president of Licensing International; Lisa Reiner, md Europe & Asia Pacific at Beanstalk; Stefania Perletto, licensing manager at AS Roma; Daniel Amos, head of esports at Difuzed; and Patrick Mahoney, co-founder and ceo of We are Nations among others.
A new series of workshops will also take place as part of the newly introduced Licensing Academy, organised by the HKTDC and Licensing International, and supported by the Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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