Major property names from around the world will converge at the Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference, your best platform for meeting new licensing partners

This one-stop event brings together major international licensors, licensing agents, licensees and major manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region, with more than 150 properties exhibited. Licensors and agents taking part in the show can also reach out to at least 3,300 major manufacturers who exhibit at the adjacent Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair.  
 
Iris Wong, manager of services promotion at event organiser the Trade Development Council, said Hong Kong is ideally positioned to take advantage of the growing importance of licensing business, for which the Chinese mainland is regarded as the most prospective market for international properties. 

"The theme 'Come to Hong Kong - Your Premier Licensing Platform to China', spells out exactly how important Hong Kong and the licensing show are," Ms Wong said.  "This year we're having five Korean licensors exhibiting at the event, who have indicated a strong interest to expand their properties in the Greater China market through Hong Kong.  There are also exhibitors coming from Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and Taiwan."
 
Highlights of the event include the Regional Licensing Conference, where major global licensors will talk about latest market trends, the China market potential and Olympic-related opportunities. Speakers from the Walt Disney Company, IMG (Asia), NBA Asia, Daynice International, and LIMA UK have been invited.
 
Licensing workshops have been organised for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to understand more about the legal aspects of licensing, such as intellectual property protection.
 
The Trade Matching Forum is great opportunity for potential licensing partners to get to know more about individual exhibitors. In addition, legal professionals, the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department and Hong Kong Law Society will further facilitate understanding of the legal aspects of IP business.
 
Record numbers affirm hub status

	Winnie the Pooh is one of the many renowned characters to be represented at the Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference

A number of renowned property names participating in the event include the characters Hello Kitty, Doraemon, Forever Friends, Winnie the Pooh and Sesame Street; automotive properties Ford and Harley Davidson; food and beverage greats Pepsi and McDonald's; NBA sports; and a number of movie and TV-based names including The Simpsons, Spider-Man, Harry Potter, and Looney Tunes. There will also be a number of local original properties, such as Identity Decoder, DADARO, Jack & Marcel and the Tomato Twins.
 
Among the participants returning this year is Kong Kong-based licensor Matrix Group, which struck its first licensing deal at the show last year. The deal was made with Retro Development in Singapore, a firm known for apparel brands such as Beverly Hills Polo Club.

"I did not expect a deal at all when I joined last year, but on talking after the fair to other exhibitors, both overseas and local brands, there were a lot of  positive responses," director Boris Kam said. "Most people are aware of branding implication as a strategy in business, and it will become more and more important in the future. I am sure this year's Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference will be a very good platform for us to promote our brand, as well as finding new partners."
 
Related links:
Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference 2003 www.hklicensingshow.com
Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair www.hkgiftspremiumfair.com