This year’s event will expand across two halls with trend sections also introduced.
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair have been steadily growing in importance to UK companies year on year.
“Bologna Children’s Book Fair is key for us since it’s the largest and one of the most important international trade shows dedicated to children’s books,” explained Luca Bonecchi, eOne’s vp licensing, EMEA Family & Brands. “Not only does it give us the opportunity to meet with our key publishing partners, it’s also a show that is packed with meetings, award ceremonies, panel discussions and numerous opportunities to network with industry colleagues.
“The market for children’s books continues to grow and we’re seeing this across our publishing programmes for both Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. In addition to children’s publishing, we find Bologna is a great opportunity for the Italian licensing industry to come together.”
2019 will see the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair – running from April 1-3 – expand across two halls, while there will also be special trends sections introduced for the first time. These will include a Licensed Fashion Product Showcase and an Illustration and Design Area, while there will also be a Licensing Retail Lounge, an international lounge for overseas licensors and agencies, plus a licensee lounge.
Marco Momoli, commercial director at BolognaFiere Spa, says that the show is the “bridge to South Europe” and the ideal link with the international licensed publishing industry.
The 2018 show had over 80 exhibitors, 800 brands, 40 retail companies and more than 4,100 visitors (a 20% increase on the previous year). Marco says that almost 30% of visitors to the show are from overseas. “From the UK, we welcome licensees looking for retail opportunities in Italy, from one side, and licensors/licensing agencies looking for licensees,” he commented.
“The conjunction with the Bologna Children’s Book Fair allows to the show to optimise the attendance of international professionals and to go in deep with book based IPs and their licensing potential and development.”
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