Licensing Expo 2018 Selected for Prestigious U.S. Department of Commerce Program, IBP Select

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Licensing Expo, the world's largest and most influential licensing industry event, today announced that the trade show has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program Select (IBP Select) for the second consecutive year. IBP Select is a joint government-industry effort that brings thousands of international buyers to the U.S. for business-to-business matchmaking with U.S. firms exhibiting at major industry trade shows. Every year, across all its programs, the IBP results in hundreds of millions of dollars in new business for U.S. companies. Licensing Expo takes place May 22 ? 24, 2018 in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, please visit: http://www.licensingexpo.com/.

IBP Select will recruit licensees (those seeking to purchase licensing rights), retailers and manufacturers from five international markets?including Canada, India, Ecuador, China and Brazil?to attend Licensing Expo 2018 and connect them with U.S.-based exhibitors interested in breaking into new, international markets. Collectively, these five international markets represent $21.3 billion in annual retail sales of licensed merchandise.*

"Licensing Expo has long served as the preeminent meeting place for licensees and licensors, and we feel a responsibility to help our exhibitors identify and develop meaningful relationships that support their business goals," said Jessica Blue, Senior Vice President, the Global Licensing Group at UBM. "Given the strong positive feedback we received last year, we're pleased to once again host the IBP Select program and connect our exhibitors with growing international markets that are hungry to engage with their brands."

"The IBP Select program is specifically designed to connect motivated international buyers with the most compelling U.S. brands, which makes Licensing Expo a natural partner," said Andrea DaSilva, Global Team Leader, Media and Entertainment, U.S. Department of Commerce. "While the licensing industry is growing rapidly on an international scale, the top 10 licensors in the industry are U.S.-based, and we have no doubt this will add to the draw for our international delegation at Licensing Expo this year."

As part of the IBP Select program, Licensing Expo will also host a panel comprised of IBP Select delegate leaders designed to explore the latest international trends in the industry. Panelists will address the economic climate in their home countries, what they're looking for from the U.S. market and their perspectives on the licensing industry as a whole.

Licensing Expo 2018 was selected to participate in IBP Select after a rigorous evaluation process, further solidifying it as the industry's premiere licensing trade show. Every year, over 5,000 brands showcase to more than 16,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors and licensing agents from over 67 countries. Licensing Expo empowers brands and exhibitors to find the right partners to expand and transform their businesses and has connected the world's most influential entertainment, character, fashion, art and corporate brand owners and agents with consumer goods manufacturers, licensees and retailers for more than 35 years.

Apply for a Media Pass: Please email [email protected] with your request and credentials.

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Future Licensing Dates and Events:

• Brand Licensing Europe: Olympia London, October 10 ? 12, 2017
• NYC Licensing Summit: New York City, New York, February 2018
• Licensing Expo: Las Vegas, Nevada, May 22 ? 24, 2018
• Licensing Expo Japan: Tokyo, April 25 ? 27, 2018
• Licensing Expo China: Shanghai, July 25-27, 2018

About Licensing Expo
Launched in 1980, Licensing Expo is the world's largest and most influential annual trade show dedicated to licensing and brand extension. The show floor is merchandised into two zones: Characters and Entertainment and Brands, Agents and Design. More than 16,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors and licensing agents attend the Expo from more than 67 countries. The following events and information products are produced for the licensing industry by the Global Licensing Group at UBM: Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo China, NYC Licensing Summit, License Global magazine, License Global Daily E-news and License TV. Licensing Expo is organized by UBM plc. UBM is the largest pure-play B2B events organizer in the world. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors. Our deep knowledge and passion for these sectors allow us to create valuable experiences which enable our customers to succeed. Please visit www.ubm.com for the latest news and information about UBM.

About Global Licensing Group
The Global Licensing Group at UBM is the global licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide opportunities around the world to bring brands and products together to explore and cement licensing partnerships. The following events and information products are produced for the licensing industry by the Global Licensing Group at UBM: Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo China, NYC Licensing Summit, License Global magazine, License Global Daily E-news and License TV.

*According to the LIMA Annual Global Licensing Industry Survey 2017 Report  

SOURCE Licensing Expo