An expert on merchandising, marketing and supply chains, Rick Darling, president of Li & Fung USA, will address the challenges and opportunities for retailers and suppliers in the changing global economy at the upcoming Licensing International Expo 2011. Darling’s keynote session will kick off the LIMA-sponsored expo, which runs from June 14-16 in Las Vegas.

LF USA is a subsidiary of Hong Kong-headquartered consumer goods export and logistics group Li & Fung Limited, one of the world’s largest companies of its kind. Darling currently oversees Li & Fung’s expanding business in the US, where its portfolio of owned and licensed brands range from entertainment companies to celebrity names such as Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Rachel Zoe and Sofia Vergara. In recent months, it has acquired such companies as Beyond Productions – the apparel and accessories company headed by Beyoncé and Tina Knowles – Oxford Apparel Group and footwear manufacturer Jimlar Corp. Its other owned companies include Kids Headquarters and Briefly Stated.

Darling also currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the American Apparel & Footwear Association and is a board member for Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation and serves on the Board of Governors for the Parson’s School of Design.

To register for the keynote, which is free to all registered attendees, visit http://www.licensing.org/events/register/622/.