Nov 11, 2015

Emerald Expositions announces new events strategy in licensing arena

Emerald Expositions, producer of more than 65 tradeshows and events, has launched an events strategy that is designed to support the needs of the licensing industry, which according the Licensing Letter is a $158.8 billion dollar business. Emerald Expositions now serves three of the largest licensing segments: sports, art and corporate brands and trademarks, making up 40 percent of the total licensing business. This recent strategy positions the company as a leader in the licensing space.

Emerald Exposition’s licensing event portfolio includes the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show, SURTEX, Brand Licensing Select, and a New York based Media Preview for brands, and in 2017 Brand Licensing Select will be held in May in New York, focused on brands. These business-to-business events provide a forum for brand licensors, agents, brand owners and retailers to network, learn about upcoming licensing programs, retail programs and marketing initiatives, and highlight their offerings to the business and consumer media.

“The uniqueness of the licensing business demands that we develop programing and events that are designed to serve their needs and help both brands and retailers achieve their overall business and marketing goals,” said Liz Crawford, Emerald Expositions vice president & group show director, licensing. “With our tenure of creating world class business-to-business events, Emerald Expositions is perfectly suited to produce events that facilitate the success of the industry.”

Held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show is the premier event for brand owners, licensors, licensees and retailers interested in sports licensed products. The 2016 Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show will be held Jan. 24-26, 2016. Home to more than 350 exhibitors and thousands of retailers, the show is the only show of its kind to target the sports merchandise and tailgating market. Exhibiting companies hold the licenses for professional, collegiate and all other sports teams and represent all product categories including NBA, CLCNFL, MLB, NASCAR and more. The show has been experiencing double digit growth and is the place for retailers to find products for their stores.

SURTEX is the annual tradeshow for sourcing design, bringing together owners and creators of surface design (artists/designers/studios/agents/brands/licensors) with manufacturers, retailers and marketers sourcing original art and design for product development needs.  Since 1986, SURTEX has been the single event and global resource offering the full scope of art selling and licensing under one roof.  The 2016 edition, slated for May 15-18, 2016, will connect some 325 exhibitors featuring the work of over 1,200 artists and designers from around the world, with over 6,000 attendees.

Brand Licensing Select will launch in 2016 with its inaugural event slated for Sept. 27-29, 2016 in New York City. New York is the largest market for brands, retailers, manufacturers and the media, therefore serving as an ideal location for this event. Brands will be matched up in advance with retailers based on requests. In addition to direct appointments, Brand Licensing Select will allow for frequent relationship-building and networking opportunities between all brand and buyer participants. This unique format will bring together an invited group of key retailers, licensors and brands together in a private setting, away from the traditional tradeshow format.

Emerald Expositions will hold an additional stand-alone, exclusive Brand Licensing media preview event May 16, 2016, just prior to the staging of SURTEX. The Media Preview event will showcase the brands’ focus on products being launched to the consumer market, and to highlight brand successes at retail. This unique, event is strategically hosted in New York City to take advantage of local business and consumer broadcast and print media. Brands will have intimate one-on-one interaction and discussions with the nation’s top tier media with the goal of generating coverage of new product launches, partnerships, and marketing initiatives.

In addition, Brand Licensing Select will also stage in mid-May 2017 and will focus on all licensing aspects, with a primary focus on brands, and sports. This May event will feature a similar format to the Brand Licensing Select event.

Both New York events will also feature a Media Preview event, with the goal to showcase the brands’ focus on products being launched to the consumer market, and to highlight brand successes at retail. Target media include, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, USA Today, Brand Week, Adweek, Money and more.