Licensing Expo
May 20, 2025 – May 22, 2025 | May 19, 2026 – May 21, 2026
Mandalay Bay Convention Center — 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119
16,000+ estimated attendees
The world's largest and most influential brand licensing event, connecting brand owners, agents, and licensees from entertainment, sports, fashion, and more.
Dates
May 20, 2025 – May 22, 2025 | May 19, 2026 – May 21, 2026
Venue
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Address
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Est. Attendance
16,000+
Type
trade show
Guest List
Free Nightclub Entry
Your Licensing Expo Resources
Guides & Info for Licensing Expo Attendees
Everything you need for Licensing Expo in Las Vegas — from badge pickup to after-hours nightlife.
Attendee Guide
Badge pickup, show hours, tips & logistics
🎶Nightlife & After Parties
Best clubs and bars during the show
🏨Wynn & Encore
Nightlife at Wynn for attendees
🏨The Cosmopolitan
Nightlife at Cosmo for attendees
🏨Caesars Palace
Nightlife at Caesars for attendees
🏨MGM Grand
Nightlife at MGM Grand for attendees
🏨Bellagio
Nightlife at Bellagio for attendees
🗺️All Hotels
Browse every Las Vegas hotel with nightlife access
From the Attendee Guide
Badge Pickup & Show Hours
Badge Pickup
Badge pickup and registration is located at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Bayside registration area. Pre-registered attendees can use express kiosks with their confirmation QR code. Registration opens the Monday before the show. Pick up your badge early to skip the Tuesday morning rush.
Show Floor Hours
Quick Tips for First-Timers
- Licensing Expo is a meeting-driven show. Schedule appointments with brand owners and licensees in advance through the Licensing Expo matchmaking platform. Walking in cold is far less effective.
- The show floor is organized by category — entertainment, characters, fashion, sports, art, corporate brands. Map out your target categories and plan your route.
- Bring your product samples, pitch decks, and business cards. Licensing Expo is where deals are initiated — come prepared to present your capabilities.
- The Opening Night Party is one of the best networking events of the week. Attend and bring your business cards — the atmosphere is more relaxed and conversations flow more naturally.
Getting There
How to Get to Licensing Expo
Parking
Use the Mandalay Bay parking garage. Self-parking is available on a first-come basis. During major shows, arrive early as the garage fills by mid-morning.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Uber and Lyft have a designated area at the Mandalay Bay main entrance on Las Vegas Blvd.
Public Transit / Monorail
A free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur. From Excalibur you can walk to the MGM Grand monorail station for service up the Strip. The tram runs every 3–7 minutes.
Walking from the Strip
Mandalay Bay sits at the south end of the Strip. It is a 20–25 minute walk to central Strip hotels. The free tram to Luxor and Excalibur helps, and from there you can connect to the monorail.
Vegas After Hours
Nightlife During Licensing Expo
When 16,000 trade show attendees descend on Las Vegas for Licensing Expo, the nightlife scene shifts into a higher gear. The Strip's biggest clubs extend their lineups, book marquee DJs, and host industry-specific after-parties to capture the surge. Expect longer peak hours, busier dance floors, and an electric atmosphere that feeds off the energy of the trade show crowd. Whether your group is celebrating a successful day of meetings or just looking to unwind, you will find every style of nightlife within minutes of your hotel.
Convention weeks create a unique dynamic in Vegas. The typical weekend tourist crowd blends with professionals who are in town on expense accounts and looking to make the most of their evenings. Bottle service tables sell out faster than usual, especially at venues like XS, OMNIA, and Marquee. If VIP seating is on your radar, booking early is strongly recommended. For everyone else, the guest list is the smartest move — it guarantees free entry and lets you skip the general-admission line that grows significantly during major trade show weeks.
The best part of going out during Licensing Expo is the social element. You will run into colleagues, competitors, and new contacts on the dance floor. Some of the most productive conversations at any convention happen after midnight over cocktails, not on the show floor. Strip clubs like Sapphire and Crazy Horse III are also extremely popular with convention groups — free guest list from your hotel and no cover through our guest list make it an easy choice for groups of any size.
After the Show
Licensing Expo After Dark — Nightlife Picks
The brand licensing community is creative, deal-driven, and social. Licensing Expo evenings feature brand dinners, studio receptions, and networking events throughout the Strip. After the official events wind down, Las Vegas offers everything from world-class nightlife to premium dining — and the Mandalay Bay location gives you easy access to it all.
Hakkasan
Nightclub
At MGM Grand, one free tram stop from Mandalay Bay. Five floors of nightlife worthy of the entertainment licensing crowd.
OMNIA Nightclub
Nightclub
At Caesars Palace. The production and VIP experience deliver the kind of spectacle the licensing industry creates.
Drai's Nightclub
Nightclub
Underground multi-room club with live performances. Perfect for the entertainment crowd.
Crazy Horse III
Gentlemen's Club
Free entry through our guest list. Modern, upscale venue popular with convention groups.
Skip the Cover Charge
How to Get Free Entry During Licensing Expo
Cover charges at Las Vegas nightclubs typically run $30 to $75 per person during convention weeks, and lines can stretch past an hour. Here is how to skip both.
- 1
Sign Up for the Guest List
Fill out the form at the bottom of this page with your name, phone number, group size, and hotel. It takes less than thirty seconds.
- 2
Get Your Confirmation
You will receive a text message confirming your spot on the guest list along with details about your free guest list entry from your hotel.
- 3
Show Up and Walk In
Your car arrives at the scheduled time. When you reach the venue, give the host your name — you bypass the general-admission line and enter with no cover charge. That is it. No catch, no minimum spend required.
Make the Most of Your Trip
Insider Tips for Licensing Expo Attendees
Balance Your Schedule
Convention days are long and draining. If you plan to go out at night, map out which sessions and booths are must-sees so you can leave the show floor by late afternoon. A short break at your hotel between the trade show and dinner makes a massive difference in your energy level for the evening ahead.
Pick the Right Nights
The first night of Licensing Expo is usually the wildest — everyone has just arrived and the excitement is high. The final night tends to be more relaxed as attendees pack and prepare for early flights. For the best club lineups, Friday and Saturday nights always deliver regardless of the convention calendar.
Recovery Game Plan
Hydration is everything in the desert. Keep a water bottle on you during the trade show and match every cocktail with a glass of water at night. Order room service breakfast or grab a quick bite at your hotel before heading to the venue — skipping breakfast after a late night is a recipe for a miserable afternoon on the show floor.
Book as a Group
Heading out with colleagues or clients? Larger groups get better treatment at every venue in Las Vegas. When you sign up for the guest list, include your full group count so we can arrange a ride that fits everyone and ensure your party walks in together. Groups of six or more can often request reserved seating at no extra cost.
Pool Parties During Licensing Expo
Convention sessions typically wrap by 5 PM. That leaves the perfect window for a pool party before dinner. Las Vegas dayclubs operate March through October with free guest list entry — a popular choice for networking or blowing off steam after a full day of sessions and exhibits.
After the Show
Top Nightclubs During Licensing Expo
XS Nightclub
Wynn Las Vegas
OMNIA Nightclub
Caesars Palace
Hakkasan
MGM Grand
Marquee Nightclub
The Cosmopolitan
TAO Nightclub
The Venetian
Zouk Nightclub
Resorts World
Gentlemen's Clubs
Strip Clubs During Licensing Expo
Las Vegas strip clubs are a popular after-hours option during convention week. Most offer free guest list entry and complimentary transportation from your hotel — no cover, no minimums.
Sapphire Las Vegas
Crazy Horse 3
Treasures
Hustler Club
Spearmint Rhino
Peppermint Hippo
Kings of Hustler
Palomino Club
Little Darlings
Deja Vu Showgirls
Las Vegas Nightlife Resources
Convention Attendee Nightlife Guides
Licensing Expo — FAQ
Where is Licensing Expo 2026?
Licensing Expo 2026 is held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119.
What are the Licensing Expo 2026 dates?
Licensing Expo 2026 runs Tuesday, June 9 through Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Is Licensing Expo free to attend?
Yes. Registration is free for qualified brand licensing professionals who register in advance. On-site registration may have a fee.
Where do I pick up my Licensing Expo badge?
Badge pickup is at the Mandalay Bay Bayside registration area. Express kiosks are available for pre-registered attendees. Registration opens Monday before the show.
What should I wear to Licensing Expo?
Business professional for the first day, business casual thereafter. Brand licensing is a relationship business — presentation matters.
How do I schedule meetings at Licensing Expo?
Use the Licensing Expo matchmaking platform to schedule meetings with brands, licensees, and retailers in advance. Walk-in meetings are possible but much less efficient.
How do I get from Mandalay Bay to the Strip?
A free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur. From there you can walk or connect to the monorail at MGM Grand. Rideshare is also readily available.
What is there to do after Licensing Expo?
Las Vegas nightlife is right outside the door. From nightclubs to fine dining to shows, the Strip delivers. Sign up for a free guest list to skip cover charges.
Las Vegas Nightlife — All Resources
Nightclubs
Pool Parties
Free Guest List for Licensing Expo Attendees
Get On The List
Free nightclub entry + free guest list entry at your hotel during Licensing Expo