LIMA Inks Exclusive Partnership with UBM for Licensing Expo China

SHANGHAI, Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM has formed an exclusive partnership with the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), the leading industry association for global licensing, for Licensing Expo China 2017. Licensing Expo China, the latest addition to UBM's licensing portfolio, will be held on 18-20 July 2017 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai, China. Licensing Expo China and LIMA aim to create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large and foster the growth and expansion of licensing in China.

UBM China will be the exclusive licensing show partner for LIMA in China. LIMA is also the exclusive sponsor of Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, Brand Licensing Europe in London and Licensing Expo Japan in Tokyo. LIMA's mission is to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large.

Margaret Ma-Connolly, Managing Director of UBM China, Vice President of UBM Asia said: "We are very pleased to have LIMA as our partner as we launch Licensing Expo China in 2017. China is the fastest-growing licensing market in the world. The total retail sales of licensed products in China (including Hong Kong) reached USD$7.6 billion in 2015, and we expect the growth to accelerate in the future years."

Jessica Blue, Senior Vice President, Licensing, UBM, commented: "We are delighted to announce this important strategic partnership with LIMA. Our effective collaboration over many years has delivered world-class events for the licensing industry and we are excited to be working together in China, the fastest-growing licensing market in the world."

Licensing Expo China 2017 is a B2B event which will feature over 250 brands and properties from China and overseas. The fair will connect the most influential entertainment, character, fashion, art and corporate brand owners and agents with consumer goods manufacturers, licensees and retailers from all product categories across China.

Charles Riotto, President, LIMA commented: "The data confirms what we have already seen happening in China over the last several years: the market for licensed products is booming. LIMA has had a presence in China since 2002, recognizing the need for greater licensing education to help the Chinese market capitalize on this growing business. We are thrilled to partner with licensing's premier tradeshow organizer to bring Licensing Expo China to Shanghai this year."

In addition to the exhibition, Licensing Expo China will also host series of lectures and workshops to address issues related to the licensing industry -- A series of business matching and networking sessions will be set up to connect licensors with potential business partners. Licensing Expo China 2017 will be co-located with CBME China 2017, the world's largest trade fair for child, baby and maternity products and services and Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai, the China's premier trade fair for kid's fashion.

For more information on Licensing Expo China, visit www.licensingexpochina.com

Press contact: Louise Kathryn Yu (Marketing Director) +852 (2585 6101), [email protected]

About Licensing Expo China, www.licensingexpochina.com

Licensing Expo China was known from 2012-2016 as The Licensing Zone at CBME. The Expo was launched as an independent trade show on 18-20 July 2017, co-located with CBME China. Licensing Expo China is part of the Global Licensing Group at UBM, the global licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide opportunities around the world to bring brands and products together to explore and cement licensing partnerships. The following events and information products are produced for the licensing industry by the Global Licensing Group: Licensing Expo (May 23-25, 2017), Brand Licensing Europe (October 10-12, 2017), Licensing Expo Japan (April 28-30, 2017), Licensing Expo China (July 18-20, 2017), NYC Licensing Summit (March 2-3, 2017), License Global magazine, License Global Daily E-news and License TV.

About UBM Asia, www.ubmasia.com

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is Asia's leading exhibition organizer and the biggest commercial organizer in mainland China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global network of 30 offices and 1,300 staff in 24 major cities. We operate in 20 market sectors with 230 exhibitions and conferences, 23 trade publications, 20 online products for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world.

About LIMA

LIMA - the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association - is the leading trade organization for the global licensing industry. Founded in 1985, LIMA's mission is to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Members in over 35 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events. LIMA is the exclusive sponsor of events organized by UBM's Global Licensing Group: Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo China, and NYC Summit. Visit licensing.org for more information.

SOURCE UBM China