Licensing Expo Expands, Reconfigures Showfloor for June Event
February 12, 2013
Advanstar Communications’ Licensing Expo will not only have four new areas merchandised by category for the first time, but also several key exhibitors have decided to expand their presence at the June 18-20 show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The four new areas are Art and Design, Characters andEntertainment, Agents and Brands and Fashion.
This change will create a “much-improved experience for retailers and manufacturers visiting the show, helping them to shop the show more effectively than ever before,” according to show officials.
The new, dedicated area for Agents and Brands will feature a Retail Lounge, a Brand Theater and the LIMA Global Licensing Hub.
“These new initiatives will improve the Licensing Expo visitor experience for our current attendees, while engaging new visitors in this $185 billion-plus industry,” said Jessica Blue, vice president of Licensing Expo.
She added, “In doing this, we build on our momentum from 2012 and position the show for growth by appealing to new retailers and manufacturers, welcoming new visitors and exhibitors to the show in 2013.”
This year’s show already has 280 companies booked on the showfloor, and several of them have chosen to up their profile at the show.
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will move to a new location in the Mandalay Bay ballrooms where it will host content reviews, meetings and franchise and retail break-out sessions.
In addition, Nickelodeon significantly has increased its show presence with plans to feature numerous hits from its portfolio, including “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora the Explorer.”
Saban Brands also has signed up for more space, following a year of continued growth through various media and property acquisitions.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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