The Hong Kong International Licensing Show and the Asian Licensing Conference, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on April 29, 2026, after a three-day run. The events attracted more than 330 exhibitors and showcased over 600 brands and licensing projects, serving as a cross-regional and cross-sectoral platform for business expansion and IP trade development.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, highlighted the significance of the events, stating, “Under the support of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong continues to deepen its role as a regional IP trading hub.” She noted that licensing applications are expanding beyond traditional character merchandising into fields such as location-based entertainment, food and beverage, and e-commerce, forming a complete licensing industry chain that creates global business opportunities.
A major highlight of this year’s show was the introduction of the new IP and e-Commerce Support Services Zone, in collaboration with the E-commerce Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong eCommerce Supply Chain Association, and the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce. The zone hosted workshops on building online shops, digital marketing, and livestream commerce, helping SMEs capitalize on e-commerce to sell their IP products globally. Kay Leung from Digitify Online Growth commented, “The greatest value of this new dedicated zone lies in ‘promotion’ and ‘education’. In the current economic climate, industries across different sectors are actively seeking new avenues to expand their business.” Jenny Koo added that the zone aligns with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s policy to enhance SME competitiveness in cross-border e-commerce.
The Asian Licensing Conference brought together some 20 international licensing experts to discuss key topics, including global licensing trends, IP strategies for overseas expansion, sports licensing, location-based entertainment, and creative marketing. George Wood, Managing Director of The Luna Entertainment Group, shared insights on location-based entertainment, emphasizing the importance of “depth of affection” related to the time audiences spend with an IP. Mark Kingston, CEO and Co-founder of Libertas Brands Ltd, discussed the rise of the emotional economy, using the example of Fugglers, an “ugly-cute” toy that resonates with consumers’ moods and personalities.
The Chinese Mainland Pavilion featured over 150 institutions from regions including Beijing, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, showcasing popular IPs such as Nailoong and Suchao. The Beijing Museums brand made its first overseas appearance, presenting world cultural heritage sites like the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Multiple memoranda of understanding were signed, including one between the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the HKTDC to deepen cultural and economic cooperation, and another between the Innovative Entrepreneur Association and the Shantou Cultural and Creative Tourism Industry Association to strengthen industry collaboration between Hong Kong and Shantou.
The Licensing Show also featured the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion, with nearly 40 exhibitors showcasing local original brands. Local designers like Kirsten Lie secured collaboration opportunities with overseas shopping malls, and James Ho praised the show as an excellent brand promotion platform. The Hong Kong Licensing Force Showcase included universities such as Hang Seng University, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, along with the newly participating Hong Kong Design Institute, highlighting emerging local talents.
For more information, visit the Hong Kong International Licensing Show website and the Asian Licensing Conference programme page.
