Licensing Expo underway at Mandalay Bay, heavyweight champ George Foreman weighs in
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The 2019 Las Vegas Licensing Expo kicked off June 4 and runs through June 6 at Mandalay Bay.
It’s a major networking opportunity for companies and people looking to expand their brands.
The expo has been up and running for nearly 40 years, and not only does two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman vouch for the expo, but it’s also where he debuted one of his most infamous products.
“It was 1994. I came to the same convention talking about a grill, the George Foreman Grill!” Foreman exclaimed.
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On Wednesday, he attended the expo to advocate for a brand called Invent Help, which teaches people how to get an invention idea off the ground.
“Everyone is out there. How can I be another George Foreman? Lay down, go to sleep, think of an invention, and this is the way you can get it announced to the world. Invent Help,” Foreman said.
That’s just one of the many things to be learned at this expo.
“So, this show is really important because it’s the place where those partnership conversations happen. The conversation between the brand and the manufacturer to bring them into marketing, those conversations are happening right now and right here at the Licensing Expo,” said Jessica Blue, with Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets.
Companies, brands and manufacturers from all over the world gathered at Mandalay Bay to get their brands and logos seen.
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Everything from Baby Shark, Angry Birds, Disney and Nickelodeon characters to video games, clothing brands and so much more.
This expo is an opportunity for people who want to use these characters and logos to sit down and work out licensing agreements.
It’s also a chance for logo and brand owners to diversify their product line.
“I think anyone that creates something, especially content creators, whether it’s cartoons or TV shows, things like that. I think this is the kind of place to get that out,” said Dave Shelton, a film and television writer who wrote for the show "Everybody Loves Raymond."
