Licensing Blog

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Vegas here we come!(Posted: 19-05-2009)

Where did April go? All of a sudden Licensing Show is almost upon us. Over the last few months we have seen a steady build-up towards what is one of the two most important events on our calendar. Having heard some negative comment during the first quarter of the year I’m glad that this seems to have dissipated and been replaced by the necessary feeling of expectation.

The industry has seen both expected and unexpected movements among some of the big players over the last six months, but the impending start of summer seems to be bringing in a new wave of optimism that the worst of the economic problems have passed. Although there are unfortunately still companies struggling, licensing in general seems to have ridden the storm out pretty well. The block buster movies are hitting the screens, and it looks like consumers are starting to dig into their pockets again.

I still get the impression that not all are convinced about the move to Las Vegas, but it is the responsibility of the exhibitors as well as the organisers to make this work. I’m convinced that the move will present us all with new opportunities that may not have been available to us in the comfort zone of New York under the Advanstar banner.

In turn THE Licensing Event, scheduled for New York in April 2010, will also give us some new angles on the industry. I hear grumblings about two shows in the USA only two months apart, and possible fragmenting of the industry. As I said about the move to Vegas after the decision had been made, I shall say about this new show - let’s give them a chance to show us what they can do for the industry and judge afterwards.

So let’s embrace Las Vegas. I’m sure we’ll all get the sight-seeing done and play the slot machines. Unfortunately there’s no top class boxing for us to see, but this city has more than enough entertainment for everyone. Trips to the Hoover Dam, shows and, for myself and a Dutch colleague, blasting away with AK47s and Uzis at the firing range! But we all know that these hours spent together out of the work environment only reinforce the personal and business relationships that we have forged over the years, and in part help keep the industry moving along.

Once Tuesday 9am comes round we all need to be tuned in. It’s a long way to go for most of us, and what’s the point if we don’t fill every minute of show time usefully? I’m looking forward to meeting a new wave of visitors and the many new exhibitors that the move has attracted. I hope you are too.

P.S. had a beer last night with Nick Knowles from BBC One's DIY SOS. We were at school together. Hadn't seen each other for nearly 30 years and the first thing he reminded me of was my school nickname, which I swear had been in an unexplored part of my memory all this time. I won't share it with you, but suffice to say I'm glad the diet's working!!