Final Licensing Show in New York Draws Some 25,000 Attendees

NEW YORK, June 24: Licensing International Expo’s final event in New
York this month—it moves to Las Vegas in 2009—attracted some 25,000
executives from 82 countries, on par with 2007’s record attendance.

The annual convention for the licensing and merchandising industry has
been held in New York for 28 years. Next year it relocates to the Mandalay Bay
Convention Center in Las Vegas, from June 2 to 4. The event’s organizers,
Advanstar Communications, note that more than 90 percent of this year’s floor
exhibitors have secured space for 2009, among them Disney Consumer Products,
Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and
Merchandising, Sesame Workshop and Marvel Entertainment.

"I am overwhelmed by
the positive feedback that I have received from the industry about the
move," said Georgiann DeCenzo, Advanstar Communications’ executive VP.
"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."

—By Mansha Daswani