Hasbro, Inc.

(NASDAQ Global Select)
Neutral +5

Licensing Expo Event Planner Goes Live: Start Securing Meetings Today

πŸ“… Informa Markets' Licensing Expo Event Planner is officially live to help attendees schedule meetings ahead of Licensing Expo 2026.

🌐 The world's most influential event for licensing and IP extension will take place from May 19-21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

πŸ€– Powered by advanced AI technology, the new platform delivers personalized recommendations to help attendees connect with relevant people and maximize their time.

πŸ† Early registration is strongly encouraged as diaries for major exhibitors fill up within 4-6 weeks before the event begins.

🀝 This year features over 5,000 brands across sectors including food & beverage, fashion, gaming, heritage, sports, toys, FMCG, and entertainment.

⚠️ Anna Clarke, Senior Vice President of the Global Licensing Group, noted that last year over 10,000 meetings were booked through the platform.

πŸ”§ The Event Planner has been upgraded with new features including AI-powered matchmaking based on direct customer feedback from last year.

πŸ” Users can now utilize a "Super Search" bar to find people, brands, exhibitors, and content in one single location.

⏰ A "Saved Search" feature allows users to set up daily or weekly email alerts for new contacts matching their criteria.

πŸ“… A new setting enables users to update calendars via a "What Days I Am Attending" option to streamline scheduling.

🎯 Retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Target, H&M, and Walmart have already signed up for the expo.

πŸ“‰ Industry heavyweights like Mattel, Hasbro, LEGO, Netflix, and Amazon MGM Studios will also be present at this year's event.

🌍 Licensing Expo has been held annually since 1980 and attracts over 12,000 attendees from more than 70 countries.

πŸ›οΈ The event is organized by the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc with London stock code INF.

🀝 Sponsored by Licensing International, which represents a $369+ billion global brand licensing industry and has over 1,500 member companies.

πŸ“’ Attendees are urged to visit www.licensingexpo.com to register and start securing meetings that align with their business goals.

Bullish Signals
  • Licensing Expo's Event Planner platform is now live, offering attendees a new tool to optimize networking and secure meetings with top exhibitors ahead of Licensing Expo 2026.
  • The platform utilizes advanced artificial intelligence technology to deliver personalized recommendations, helping attendees connect with the right people and maximize their time at the event.
  • Last year, the Event Planner facilitated over 10,000 record-breaking meetings, demonstrating its significant value for building successful business connections leading up to the expo.
  • This year's exhibitor list features more than 5,000+ brands from major sectors including food & beverage, fashion, gaming, sports, toys, and entertainment.
  • High-profile attendees include industry heavyweights such as The Coca Cola Company, PepsiCo, Mattel, Hasbro, LEGO, Netflix, Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
  • The Event Planner has been upgraded with intuitive enhancements including AI-powered matchmaking and a new 'Saved Search' feature that sends daily or weekly email alerts for new relevant connections.
  • A powerful new 'Super Search' function allows users to effortlessly find people, brands, exhibitors, and content in a single search bar, streamlining the process of finding opportunities.
  • Over 12,000 retailers, licensees, and manufacturers from more than 70 countries are expected to attend Licensing Expo, including major retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot.
  • Licensing Expo is the world's largest annual tradeshow dedicated to licensing and brand extension, launching in 1980 as a global leader in bringing brands and products together.
Risk Factors
  • No negative financial metrics, risks, or concerns are present in this article; the content is entirely promotional and positive.
  • The announcement focuses exclusively on a new product launch with no mention of revenue guidance, earnings performance, or competitive threats.
  • Reliance on advanced artificial intelligence for recommendations may raise concerns regarding data privacy, potential algorithmic biases, or over-reliance on technology that could be disrupted.
  • With 5,000+ brands represented and major competitors like Netflix, Amazon MGM Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery attending, the competitive landscape remains saturated with high-profile exhibitors.
  • Attendance from more than 70 countries with over 12,000 retailers suggests a broad but potentially diluted attendee experience that could impact networking effectiveness without deeper engagement.
  • The platform's upgrade based on last year's feedback implies prior versions may have had usability issues or missed customer expectations despite record 10,000+ meetings.
Full Analysis
Informa Markets' Licensing Expo has launched its new Event Planner platform on March 11, 2026, marking a significant step ahead of the event scheduled for May 19-21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Designed to optimize networking opportunities, the AI-powered tool allows attendees to schedule meetings with top exhibitors and industry leaders before the conference begins. The platform utilizes advanced artificial intelligence to deliver personalized recommendations, helping users connect with relevant individuals and maximize their time during the expo, which is widely recognized as the world's most influential event for licensing, intellectual property extension, and brand collaborations. The new Event Planner features several upgrades based on feedback from last year, including AI-powered matchmaking that tailors connections to specific business goals. Additional enhancements include a "Saved Search" feature for email alerts on new matches, a "What Days I Am Attending" setting for calendar management, and a "Super Search" bar to find people, brands, and content in one place. Anna Clarke, Senior Vice President of the Global Licensing Group, emphasized the importance of early planning, noting that over 10,000 meetings took place through the platform last year, making it essential for securing valuable connections ahead of time. This year's event will feature a massive roster of attendees, with over 5,000 brands represented including major industry heavyweights such as The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Mattel, Hasbro, LEGO, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon MGM Studios. Retailers signed up include Abercrombie & Fitch, Target Corporation, Walmart, and Unilever. With its meetings-driven format and history of filling diaries four to six weeks before the event, Licensing Expo aims to ensure that high-demand brands remain accessible to decision-makers as attendees begin building their schedules using the live platform.