By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
You have less than two weeks left before the biggest trade show in sports licensing begins at the Las Vegas Convention Center, starting January 22.
The Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show (SLATS or the Tailgate Show) has 100 new exhibitors this year, adding up to a staggering 375 brands represented at what has become the sector’s largest B2B trade event. While the show was always a big draw in sports licensing, organizers say the scope of the Tailgate Show has “dramatically expanded over 2024.”
Organizers are also highlighting a major addition to the show, as Jill Martin, a best-selling author and entrepreneur and a renowned lifestyle contributor from the Today Show and the New York Times, will unveil her latest sports-licensed product lines at this year’s event.
“With continued strong growth in the interest and fan base of both collegiate and professional sports, along with the upcoming FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the U.S next year, our industry is experiencing an unprecedented upward trajectory,” said Camille Candella, Group Vice President, Emerald Expositions. “In fact, we will be welcoming several new FIFA World Cup licensees to the show, adding even more excitement to this year’s lineup.”
Candella says there will be a lot more than exhibits at SLATS, which will also include a wide variety of educational and entertainment event. “”We have created SLATS to be much more than a trade event, as we have designed it as a celebration of innovation, style, and success across the entire sports licensing industry.”
To get an idea of the size of this event, it’s worth noting the Tailgate Show will have more exhibitors than even the Licensing Expo, the largest general licensing trade show in the world.
The growth this year is likely linked directly to the rapid growth in sports licensing, particularly since it dipped temporarily during the pandemic. Recent data from Grand View Research predicts the licensed sports merchandise market in the United States will reach US$ 22.6 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1% over that period.
In particular, a remarkable surge in women’s professional sports and in the collegiate Name, Image and Likeness licensing business have both contributed to a major increase in sports licensing opportunities.
And if you do want to play in the major leagues of sports licensing, the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show is the place to be. All of the professional leagues and collegiate teams from the United States will be represented, with major licensors participating including CLC, NASCAR, NHL, NBA Properties Inc., and NFL.
The show also attracts buyers from all types of retailers, including specialty shops, fan shops, department stores, sporting goods stores, online retailers, collectibles, and gift stores. Retailers that attended in 2024 include Amazon, Aramark, Beall’s Outlet Store, Burlington Stores, Citi Trends, Costco, Dicks Sporting Goods, HSN, Kohl’s, Liverpool (Mexico), LIDS, QVC, Pro Image Sports, Ross Stores, Sam’s Club, Target, The Marshall Retail Group, TJX U.S. & Canada, Tilly’s and many more. Click here to view the entire 2024 store list.
The show also continues to grow in the collegiate licensing segment. In addition to hundreds of college bookstore buyers, including Follett and The University Books Store, more than 200 college licensing departments have been in attendance at past shows. Click here to view the entire 2024 school list.
For more information on registration and attendance, go to https://sportstailgateshow.com/attendee/registration-information/