Leaving Las Vegas (Wasn’t that a movie?)

Over the course of my stay I spoke with numerous people and found the general consensus was that this year’s licensing show seemed downsized and dispirited. There was just no sizzle. Several people commented to me that there were no surprises. They saw just what they expected to see. 

Every show has been off this year so the economy was certainly to blame for much of this.   Probably due to the recession was the decision by some major exhibitors to dramatically downsize their exhibits. Several people commented to me on the unsettled feeling they had upon seeing one major studio’s exhibit which consisted of a single cardboard sign hanging over white tables and chairs. Compounding their unease was that this was the first exhibit they saw upon entering the hall. 

In addition, there was a sort of shadow show taking place with some companies holding meetings in hotel suites, restaurants and coffee shops rather than pay for exhibit space. This meant for a lot of running around for some attendees, a sapping away of energy from the exhibit space and a loss of revenue for the show.

Speaking of the exhibition space, most people liked it.  It was heavily carpeted and comfortable to walk on. The sound levels were muted and the environment was kind of cozy. One woman I spoke with even made a point of noting that the bathrooms were clean. 

Other positive comments were that Las Vegas provided greatly reduced costs for hotel rooms ($36 a night at the Excalibur and $60 a night at the Luxor) and food. This is a fraction of the cost of exhibiting in other cities. This begs the question: Why then did exhibitors not use some of the saving to bring their "A" game?

There were a number of people from the UK in attendance. They reported that there was one direct flight a day from London to Las Vegas which helped them in making a trip but they pointed out to me that attendance from the continent seemed way down. They felt that Europeans just did not want to make the longer trip.

Bottom line, I think the Licensing Show got mugged by a bad economic environment, large exhibitors who did not step up to the plate and a shadow show that sapped energy.  Lima and the licensing industry deserve better.