By Gary Symons
TLL Editor-in-Chief
If you’ve got something to say to the global licensing industry, then Licensing Expo has an opportunity for you.
Licensing Expo, the largest trade show and conference for the global licensing industry, is accepting speaker proposals for its 2027 event. This edition of Licensing Expo will take place May 25–27 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The call for speakers is open until Jan. 15, 2027, as organizers begin developing the conference program. The event invites industry experts, marketers, retail professionals, business owners, influencers, and thought leaders to apply.
Licensing Expo describes itself as the world’s largest brand licensing event, and organizers say the 2026 show drew more than 12,500 attendees, including more than 1,500 qualified retailers.
Speaker gigs at Licensing Expo provide a major opportunity to get your word out to the top thought leaders in the licensing industry, which is now valued at $389.8 billion in annual revenue. Licensing Expo data shows that 49% of visitors hold global decision-making power, and 28% of attendees came from 76 countries.
Event organizers say they are prioritizing experienced licensing professionals for the speaker engagements. That would include directors, vice presidents, brand managers, and C-level executives with expertise in licensing partnerships, strategy, and execution.
Licensing Expo is particularly looking for speakers who can share case studies and measurable results, and who can take part in panel discussions. Applicants must understand brand licensing and partnership structures, according to the call for speakers.
Together with media brand License Global, organizers are actively curating panels for the License Global Mainstage in five priority areas:
- Sports: athlete and influencer partnerships, league and team collaborations, name, image and likeness strategies, fan engagement, esports and gaming crossovers, and merchandise innovation;
- Fashion: designer and brand collaborations, apparel and accessory partnerships, luxury brand extensions, fast fashion versus premium licensing, sustainability, and trend forecasting;
- Food and beverage: consumer packaged goods partnerships, restaurant and culinary collaborations, beverage licensing, health and wellness extensions, co-branding, and packaging innovation;
- Retail: omnichannel licensing, direct-to-consumer models, pop-up experiences, consumer trends, private label versus licensed products, and e-commerce strategies;
- CMO and brand marketing: building brand equity, measuring return on investment, brand protection and quality control, global versus regional strategies, emerging consumer demographics, and marketing activation.
Sessions will include both panels and ‘fireside chats’ of 30 to 45 minutes, with time for audience questions. Formats include Mainstage panels, educational sessions, and
networking roundtables. Organizers say past Mainstage speakers have included executives from Nike, the NFL, Authentic Brands Group, and IMG.
Past speakers at the expo have included Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Marian Lee, model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham, Sharon and Jack Osbourne, designer Sam Edelman, Paris Hilton, journalist and podcast host Guy Raz, Spin Master’s Jeremy Tucker, Toys R Us’ Kimberly Miller, and Primark’s Sarah Jackson.
Applicants must submit a speaker bio listing relevant roles, oversight, and projects, along with their licensing expertise, proposed topics, speaking experience, and format preferences, through an online portal.
The Licensing Expo programming team will review submissions and aims to respond within one month. Final decisions are expected by the end of January.
Selected speakers will receive confirmation of their session format, help refining topics, coordination with co-panelists, and a promotional timeline. All speakers and attendees must follow the event’s code of conduct.
If you have any questions about the program or what to include in your submission, queries can be sent to attendeecustomerservice@licensingexpo.com.