Licensing Expo 2013 (Favorite Photos)

Licensing Expo 2013!

Since writing is my thing,
I had to get a photo of the Penguin booth before opening!
I actually saw a nice editor I'd met at a SCBWI!

Ok, so I got asked to assist my friend (who is an incredible artist!) at Licensing Expo 2013 in Vegas, and, for once in my life, I didn't overthink things, bought my ticket, headed to Las Vegas... and had the greatest experience of my life! I learned trade secrets from artists whose work I have unknowingly encountered for years, and had my mind opened to new possibilities and new inspiration. The Expo was like everything good in this world, combined and wrapped in a tortilla with extra guacamole on top! The only way it could have been a better experience, would have been if I could have attended Licensing University, and the Expo, at the same time!

The Expo was chock-full of every major company/brand you could think of (Disney/Cartoon Network/ Nickelodeon /Mattel/Hello Kitty/Lamborghini/Penguin Publishing), each competing for attention with mind-blowing visual displays that often trailed down (or climbed up) to the 3-story tall ceiling in the Mandalay Bay convention hall. I saw everything from Macy's Day Parade-esque balloons, to giant sculptures of popular characters and massive banners. The "booths" showed off new merchandise and exclusive giveaways, while important looking people from all over the world discussed business.

One of my drawings! Yay!

The Expo also had a smaller area specifically for artists looking for (and finding) licensees.

 I loved working for an exhibitor, although I'm not sure how much I helped. It was hard not to wander off, lost in displays that more than rivaled the Vegas Strip. It was incredible to get this "behind the scenes" look at the global world of licensing (and to be surrounded by global brands, celebrities, and artists!). I'm still searching for an agent for my novel, but I'm hoping to find enough time to develop some of my art concepts, and to invest in a booth of my own next year. With a bit of luck, and a lot of work, it might actually be possible to have merchandise made from my drawings!!

Licensing Expo 2013 Photo Dump!

Licensing Expo 2013 Photo Dump!

Oh my goodness, where to begin! Ok, so I got asked to assist my friend at the Licensing Expo in Vegas this year, and, for once in my life, I didn't overthink things, bought my ticket, headed to Las Vegas... and had the greatest experience of my life!