Hong Kong Licensing Show and conference does the business online

The 19th HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) and 10th Asian Licensing Conference (ALC), both organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), were run this week as online events, 11-15 January 2021. The events featured representatives from top global brands and a showcase of licensed products and services. Stephen Liang, HKTDC assistant executive director, said: “Global retail sales of licensed merchandise reached US$293bn in 2019, showing annual growth of 4.4%. As the world’s third-largest licensing market, Asia accounted for 12% of the global share of sales. Mainland China, with a 9.6% year-on-year increase, was the second largest market in Asia. We expect that the Asian and mainland markets will continue to be growth engines for the licensing industry.” Liang said the virtual Licensing Show had attracted 250 exhibitors from around the globe, including top global licensors/agents, renowned brands, and IPs from Hong Kong and Asia. He added that a Virtual Business Matching Service, on offer through HKILS Online, designed had helped companies explore co-operation through suitable intellectual properties (IPs). “The licensing industry has shown great flexibility in operations and forged partnerships that have enabled companies to stand out during the pandemic. The Licensing Show has attracted participants from a broad range of industries, including companies producing personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and hygiene products, online shopping and retailing kitchenware, gaming and furniture, helping them to capture licensing opportunities amid the current volatility,” Liang said.