After postponing its annual event from May to August, Licensing Expo is going digital (at least partially). Licensing International and Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group are partnering to launch Licensing Week. The five-day digital event will take place June 15 to 19, and feature virtual keynotes, educational seminars, matchmaking, networking and digital exhibitions.
Licensing Expo 2020 was set to take place in Las Vegas from May 19 to 21 and was rescheduled to August 11 to 13 in response to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Licensing Week is designed to complement the in-person events Licensing Expo and Brand Licensing Europe (October 6 to 8). The digital market’s three keynote addresses will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at times that are convenient for both US and European audiences (9 a.m. PST/5 p.m. BST).
“We know from speaking to our colleagues that it’s business-critical for them to have the chance to connect in early summer, which is why we pulled out all the stops to create this new event in June,” said Anna Knight, VP of Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets in a statement.
Licensing Expo was supposed to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. The licensing trade show typically attracts attendees from more than 70 countries, with upwards of 16,000 people—including IP owners, retailers and manufacturers—taking part in the annual event.
Licensing Expo’s digital effort follows the announcement of Annecy 2020 Online, which will include a market, meetings and opportunities for people to build partnerships, spot talent and launch new projects. The animation-focused digital event will launch this year following the cancellation of Annecy International Animation Film Festival and its market MIFA. Previously scheduled for June 15 to 20 and June 16 to 19, respectively, the in-person events will return in June 2021.
Kidscreen‘s full list of postponed and canceled kids industry events is available online.