Hong Kong Licensing Show converges international licensing business in a packed three-day event
	Korean brand owner Sieundesign expects to meet new partners to market its popular children’s character Rpeng Bini

Asia's premier platform for global licensing returns to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 3 - 5, offering unparalleled business opportunities.

Now in its sixth year, the Hong Kong Licensing Show has grown in strength and reputation as Asia's most international licensing event. Increasing attendances confirm the event as a priority for intellectual property owners and their agents worldwide.

This year's event will be attended by over 120 exhibiting companies from 13 countries and regions, representing more than 300 properties and brands. More than 10,000 trade visitors who have confirmed their attendance include licencees, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, traders and other decision makers.

World-class events

In addition to exhibitions, the show will feature a number of world-class events, including the Hong Kong International Licensing Conference attended by internationally renowned speakers.

The 4th Premier Asian Licensing Awards will recognise Asia's most capable and successful licensing professionals. Five finalists have been selected for each of the six award categories, to be presented during a gala dinner on July 4.

A series of forums will reveal the most up-to-date and relevant market intelligence on topics including licensing business opportunities in the Chinese mainland, trends in sports licensing, character licensing, brand extension and intellectual property rights protection.

Tailored business-matching services will be another highlight of the show, which is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). 

Proven platform

According to Raymond Yip, HKTDC's Assistant Executive Director, the annual show is a proven platform for licensing deals with a strong international following.

"Hong Kong is an ideal place for licensors, licencees, agents and manufactures to do business," Mr Yip said. "It offers extensive distribution networks, industry talent, close business connections with mainland companies, and stringent intellectual property rights. Such advantages attract many international licensors and licensing agents to choose Hong Kong as their strategic base for expanding into Asia, particularly the Chinese mainland."

Korean children's entertainment company Sieundesign Co Ltd will be exhibiting this year in the Lifestyle section, representing its own brands 7Princess and Rpeng Bini. Sieundesign has a joint venture company in India called Sieun & Bag Animation. The brand owner has attended Hong Kong Licensing Show before as part of the Korean national pavilion, and strong results have influenced its decision to return this year independently.

"The Hong Kong Licensing Show is valuable for us as we have made a lot of partners in the past," said Myung Youn Kim, International Marketing Manager.  "We also rely on this show to meet international buyers. We wouldn't miss it."
 
Results speak

Singapore-based multinational Global Brands Group is exhibiting for the first time, drawn by the show's impressive results. The group represents international sport, lifestyle and entertainment brands including FIFA, PGA, FIBA, Chorion (Noddy, Gaspard et Lisa, Olivia), Decanter and B.U.M.

"Statistics from the previous year showed that this event is the Asian opportunity for global brands. More than 70 per cent of the trade visitors were from Asia and out of these, almost half were from the Chinese mainland," said Christie SK Chor, Assistant Manager, Marketing. "From the obvious statistics, this event is certainly the platform to establish business and business partners in the China market."     
 
Ms Chor said Global Brands Group would make full use of its attendance at the show, gaining insights from the Hong Kong International Licensing Conference and forums on market intelligence. "Moving forward with information on opportunities in China, trends in licensing, brand extension, etc from the conference and forums would certainly be beneficial," she said.  
 
Related links
Hong Kong Licensing Show
Sieundesign
Global Brands Group