By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
When attendees plan their meetings at Licensing Expo this year, they’ll have a powerful AI assistant helping them out.
Informa Markets, the organizer of the world’s leading licensing trade show, has added artificial intelligence capability to its Event Planner platform for Licensing Expo 2026. If you’re signed up for Expo this year, you’ll have a full two months to work alongside your new AI assistant before the show opens May 19 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
And it does look like there’ll be plenty of work for you and your AI bot.
The annual trade show, billed as the world’s largest event dedicated to brand licensing and IP extension, is set to feature more than 5,000 brands spanning food and beverage, fashion, gaming, sports, toys and entertainment. Confirmed exhibitors include the Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo, Liquid Death, Mattel, Hasbro, LEGO, Amazon MGM Studios, BBC Studios, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros. Discovery, the Association of Tennis Professionals and NASCAR.
Importantly, the Expo has attracted top retailers this year; a crucial component of any licensing event. Confirmed buyers include Abercrombie & Fitch, Barnes & Noble, Coach, Converse, Gap Inc., H&M, Hot Topic, Inditex, Target, The Home Depot, TJX Companies, Urban Outfitters, Walmart and Unilever brand Wild Cosmetics, among others.
Anna Clarke, senior vice president of the Global Licensing Group, says the Event Planner is designed to address a recurring challenge at meetings-driven trade shows, as high-demand exhibitor calendars typically fill up four to six weeks before doors open. She says that’s why the platform went live this week, giving early registrants a head start on securing appointments.
“Planning your meetings ahead is absolutely essential to making the most of your Licensing Expo experience,” Clarke explains. “Last year, we saw a record-breaking 10,000-plus meetings take place through the Event Planner, proving just how valuable this platform is for building successful connections leading up to the Expo.
“Do not wait; start planning now to ensure you secure the meetings that matter most to your business goals.”
AI Tech Provides New Features for 2026
The 2026 version of the Event Planner is a lot smarter than previous versions, and includes several upgrades developed from attendee feedback. A new AI matchmaking feature generates personalized recommendations based on a user’s stated business goals, while a “Saved Search” function allows users to set daily or weekly email alerts when new contacts matching their criteria register for the show. Basically, it’s a turbocharged Tinder for licensing pros.
As well, a “What Days I Am Attending” setting lets registrants flag their availability, enabling more precise scheduling. A consolidated “Super Search” bar allows users to search for attendees, brands, exhibitors and programming content within a single query.
Licensing Expo, first held in 1980 and sponsored by industry association Licensing International, is part of Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group. The event draws more than 12,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors and licensing agents from more than 70 countries annually. Licensing Expo 2026 runs May 19-21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Both registration and Event Planner access are available at licensingexpo.com.