The 2014 Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show, an event for those involved in sports merchandise and licensed products, exceeded expectations on attendance growth, according to show organizers.
“We are really pleased with the overall success of this year’s show,” said Liz Crawford, show director, Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show. “Our focus on the core business of gathering the top retailers, licensors and licensees in the world of sports licensed products is the reason that this show continues to show steady growth year-over-year. The addition of a well-executed attendee outreach program with quality seminars and content shows our commitment to delivering value to our exhibitors and attendees.”
Held annually in Las Vegas, the show is dedicated to the sports licensed market. Over 340 exhibitors featured professional and collegiate sports licensed products, including apparel, footwear, accessories, sporting goods products, retail solutions and sports merchandise. Organizations like National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, NFL Players Inc., FIFA, The Collegiate Licensing Company, CLPA/Licensing Resource Group and more were on hand to assist manufacturers and retailers with the licensing process.
Buyers from around the world came to locate products for their shops, including retail Internet giant Fanatics. Fanatics General Merchandise Manager John Sabo indicated that he brought a majority of their buyers to the show to spend their time visiting every exhibitor to evaluate product and execute deals.
Also in attendance were collegiate buyers from major universities as well as buyers from Academy Sports & Outdoors, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pro Image Sports, Wal-Mart, Target, HSN, Sports Authority, Costco, Amazon.com, Lids, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Sport Chalet, TJX Companies and Kohl’s.
Exhibitors and buyers alike indicated that the show helped them meet their strategic and business goals.
The Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show will be back in Las Vegas from Jan.14-16, 2015.
