What really happens at Licensing Expo?

After 13 years attending - and exhibiting for the first time - this is the honest breakdown of Licensing Expo 2026 in Las Vegas.

No highlight reel. Just real insights, real numbers, real costs - and what actually matters if you're in (or entering) the licensing industry.

This year’s event confirmed one thing: licensing is booming. With the industry now valued at $389.8 billion, the opportunity is massive - but so is the gap in understanding how it actually works.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The real numbers behind Licensing Expo 2026
• Why licensing is now a $400B global industry
• What first-time exhibitors reveal about the future of IP
• The true cost of exhibiting (and what people underestimate)
• ROI insights from exhibiting vs attending
• Why many people still don’t understand licensing fundamentals
• The rise of new brands, AI tools, and faster IP creation
• Key trends: fandom, food brands, sports licensing & global growth
• Why physical products and “offline play” are making a comeback

💡 The big takeaway:

The licensing industry is growing fast—but knowledge, relationships, and execution are still what separate success from noise.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

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