As predicted by MCV’s sister site Licensing.biz, The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) and show producer Advanstar has confirmed that the Licensing International Expo, better known as the Licensing Show, is to move to Las Vegas.

The show’s first non-New York City edition will be in June next year, at the Mandalay Bay Resort’s conference centre, reports Playthings.com.

“The future location of Licensing International Expo has been reviewed and debated extensively for the past several months” said Charles Riotto, LIMA’s president.

“In the end, our Board of Directors felt that relocating the show to Las Vegas is in the best interest of our industry and unanimously supported Advanstar’s decision.

"The move will ultimately provide greater growth opportunities for the show and enable us to expand in new directions to include more of the categories our industry represents.

"I fully expect that the show’s strong performance over the past several years will continue in Las Vegas and that the industry as a whole will benefit as a result.

"I encourage all of our members to embrace the move as a positive step for the long-term health and growth of the licensing industry."