License Global, UBM and LIMA are pleased to announce that the NYC Licensing Summit conference and networking event will be held two weeks earlier next year to better align with the global events calendar.

The 2018 NYC Summit will take place in Midtown Manhattan on Feb. 20, 2018, at the tail end of New York Toy Fair and just after Fashion Week, allowing for increased synergies with two of the largest verticals in licensing–toys and fashion.

The event will take place at Convene (117 W. 46th Street in Times Square). In addition to its convenient, central location, which offers easy access to the Javits Convention Center, Convene is also a modern, sophisticated facility that will take the Summit to the next level in its third year.

The annual conference and networking event will feature an increased focus on all aspects of the current retail landscape–from e-commerce to experiential retail–as well as thought leaders from a host of other key segments including gaming, sports, new media, entertainment, food and beverage, fashion and more. Additionally, the event will feature a new format that will allow for more intimate dialogue and networking.

“The decision to move up the dates of the NYC Summit so that it could take place at the end of NY Toy Fair, was based directly on feedback we received from past attendees,” says Steven Ekstract, group publisher, License Global magazine. “Not only will we tap into these two major industry events–NY Toy Fair and Fashion Week–but we’ll also be featuring a completely refreshed speaker slate and format that will really take the event to the next level.”

Previous speakers at the NYC Summit have included executives from Activision Blizzard, Beanstalk, CAA-GBG, Cartoon Network, Hasbro, Hot Topic, Iconix Brand Group, Loot Crate, National Basketball Association, National Football Association, Nickelodeon, PepsiCo, Sony Pictures, Spirit Halloween, Target, Tesco and YouTube.

Tickets for the event will go on sale Oct. 12 at a special Early Bird rate of $795 (regular price after Dec. 15 is $895). LIMA members, as well as exhibitors and attendees at other UBM licensing events, including Licensing Expo and Brand Licensing Europe, qualify for a $100 discount, so stay tuned for further details from your sales manager or membership coordinator.

The NYC Summit is developed by License Global magazine, part of the Global Licensing Group at UBM (also organizers of Brand Licensing Europe and Licensing Expo), and is presented in partnership with the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association.