Reinvented Licensing Expo closing day content includes AI keynote, Women in Toys (WiT) Empowerment Day, CMO focus panel and more.

Zack Kass will give a keynote on AI

Licensing Expo (held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center from May 21st-23rd 2024) – dedicated to brand licensing, IP extension, partnerships and collaborations – has unveiled a preview of the ‘Shaping the Future’ content taking place across this year’s campus and curated an impactful agenda for the final day of the show.

The final day of Licensing Expo opens with AI Futurist Zack Kass, former head of Go-to-Market for OpenAI, developers of the pioneering ChatGPT chatbot, and previous advisor of brands including Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley. Zack will give a keynote on the complexities of artificial intelligence, helping senior leaders provide foresight and direction so organisations can adapt and thrive alongside rapid advancements in AI (Thursday, 23rd May). Featured in outlets like Fortune, AdAge and Entrepreneur, Zack offers experience and pragmatic insights for major organisations looking to build a brighter future with artificial intelligence.

Following the keynote, a panel will discuss ‘Building Teams’ and ‘How Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Needs to Start at Recruitment’, detailing various perspectives and practical solutions on fostering and attracting unique and diverse talent as the industry turns its attention to the next generation of licensing professionals.

On the last day of Licensing Expo, for the first time, the event will partner with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) to welcome the WiT Empowerment Day to campus. WiT Empowerment Day presents women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs a forum to pitch products Information Classification: General or ideas to top companies and buyers exclusively from Walmart. Mentor Roundtable discussions will also be available to provide learnings from the best in the business.

Ahead of Licensing Expo, there will also be a specialised WiT Empowerment Day Pitch Prep Program, led by Azhelle Wade, known as The Toy Coach. This programme includes everything from preparing product pitches to on-demand video lessons, digital workbooks and a virtual Prep Session to ensure Empowerment Day participants will be confident and ready for meetings.

Concluding the final day of education at Licensing Expo, a dedicated panel of chief marketing officers will speak on constructing forward-facing brands and how to connect with audiences while engaging consumers in new and innovative ways.

“We have invested resources to comprehensively research how we can continue to evolve and offer even more value to our Licensing Expo community, and the resounding theme that emerged was the importance on the power of connection and the future of the industry,” notes Anna Clarke, senior vice president of Global Licensing Group. “Licensing Expo is known as the tentpole destination to secure the biggest and most exciting licensing deals but this year, we also place emphasis on the trajectory of the business by crafting this special must-attend closing programme for the first time ever in show history.”

“Licensing Expo is about making the most of the entire industry being in Las Vegas at the same time,” added Ella Haynes, event director, Licensing Expo. “We want to accentuate all the spaces and places across our whole Mandalay Bay Campus, as well as the intentional touchpoints created to maximise the chances to meet contacts that could ultimately lead to the next big partnership.”

On Sunday 19th May, Licensing International (LI) will host its annual networking fundraiser in support of the LI Foundation Scholarship Program at TopGolf, MGM Grand. The following day, 20th May, Licensing International’s Global Excellence Awards take place Monday evening at the HyperXArena in the Luxor Hotel & Casino. The Licensing Expo Opening Night Party also returns on Tuesday 21st May at the Daylight Beach Club, with talent soon to be announced.

Additional details for opening and second-day agendas as well as campus programming are to be announced in due course. For more information or to register to attend or exhibit at Licensing Expo 2024 visit LicensingExpo.com.