NEW YORK: Licensing International Expo, the world's leading marketplace for buying and selling Intellectual property rights, has announced that the fashion/ apparel exhibitor sector for this year's show has increased its exhibitor base 28% over last year. Top licensing agencies Creative Brands Group and Gator Group are returning as exhibitors and YUMS, a shoe and apparel company has signed on for the first time this year. The show takes place June 8-10, 2010 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

Returning to the show for the fifth time, Creative Brands Group represents fashion companies, including Kitson, Beverly Hills High School, Extra Frosting, LIFE, Kingsley, Glamajama, Loyal Army, Mini Shatsu, Kid Dangerous, Fuzzy Nation, Lunartics, Charuca and Mark Nason. Gator Group will be showcasing fashion/lifestyle programs for Emily the Strange, ACA Joe and birdie and will debut a few new art-based fashion brands as it celebrates its second year with the show. Gator Group has also arranged for Paul Frank Industries to have a dedicated area on the show floor along with the brand's colorful Winnebago which will be parked near the Fashion Cafe area. Joining the expo as a first time exhibitor, YUMS is a Dallas based pop culture brand for the street savvy consumer and is known as the "future of footwear and apparel."

"The fashion and apparel category continues to grow for Licensing International Expo, as we welcome back top agencies, Creative Brands Group and Gator Group, while seeing new companies like YUMS exhibit for the first time," said Show Director Liz Crawford. "These brands represent a very diverse group of licensing opportunities, demonstrating how vital fashion/apparel is to the overall industry."

The fashion/apparel industry has made a major impact among the licensing world in recent years and there has been a strong trend of well known celebrities lending their brand names to apparel companies. The industry accounts for 38.4% of the overall $187.2 billion worldwide licensing market. This sector is seen as an emerging category for the Licensing International Expo and is also a natural fit for Advanstar Communications, since they have been putting on MAGIC, the largest international fashion trade show, since 1998.

About Licensing International Expo: Celebrating its 30th year, Licensing International Expo is the most established licensing event in the world and has become a global marketplace for leveraging brand and property equity for developing new licensed consumer products. The show's appeal brings together top-level retail and manufacturing executives from more than 82 countries who look to Licensing International Expo to discover new brands and revenue generating opportunities within the $191 Billion licensing industry. Licensing International Expo is sponsored by LIMA. This years show will take place June 8-10, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information, please visit www.licensingexpo.com .

About Advanstar Communications: Advanstar Communications Inc. (www.advanstar.com), producer of Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand Licensing Central & Eastern Europe and License! Global Magazine, is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the License, Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 1,000 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

About LIMA: Founded in 1985, LIMA is the worldwide trade organization for the licensing industry. LIMA's main objective is to work together with licensors and licensees for the advancement of professionalism in licensing through research, national and international seminars, trade events and publications. With members in 35 countries, and offices in New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, members enjoy access to a wide variety of activities, information and benefits. LIMA is a proud sponsor of the annual Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, LiMa Licensing Market (Munich), Day of Licensing (Cologne), Licensing Asia (Tokyo), Shanghai Licensing Pavilion and the Hong Kong Licensing Show. In addition, LIMA offers ways to jump start a career in licensing through its Certificate in Licensing Studies (CLS) program, which is the only educational course specifically designed to prepare professionals to succeed in the ever-changing licensing industry, and the flip (Future LIMA Industry Professionals) program offering support and networking for industry newcomers. For more information please visit www.licensing.org.