LIMA, the world’s leading trade organization for the global licensing industry, and UBM, the largest business-to-business events and trade show organizer in the U.S., are partnering to bring a Licensing & Brand Extension networking and education event to Tokyo, Japan in 2017.

With over 1,100 member companies globally, including many leading brand owners, licensing agents and licensees in Japan, LIMA is committed to promoting the continued expansion of licensing around the world and is poised to reach a large audience in the Japanese market.

Charles Riotto, President, LIMA: “As the leading association for the industry, we are dedicated to providing education and support for licensing professionals around the world. Our members have voiced their need for a high-quality event in Japan and we are excited to deliver it with our long standing partners at UBM.”

UBM owns and operates the world’s largest and longest-running licensing trade event, Licensing Expo, taking place in Las Vegas, USA (June 21-23, 2016); Europe’s largest licensing trade show, Brand Licensing Europe, taking place at Olympia, London (Oct 11-13, 2016); and License! Global Magazine, the most widely-read licensing trade publication in the world, reaching 80,000 licensing executives every month. LIMA is the exclusive sponsor of both trade shows.

Jessica Blue, Senior Vice President, Licensing, UBM: “Japan is the world’s third largest market for licensed products after the USA and the United Kingdom, generating $700 million* in royalty revenues and nearly $12 billion* in retail sales each year. Our long-standing successful partnership with LIMA will enable us to deliver an event that meets the needs of the market in Japan as no one else truly can.”

Both UBM and LIMA have offices and experienced teams in Tokyo and are well-positioned to bring a Licensing event to Japan in order to facilitate business connections between licensors, agents, licensees and retailers. More details about the event will follow in the coming weeks.