The 22nd Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) and the 14th Asian Licensing Conference (ALC) have successfully concluded. Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 28 to 30, 2025, the event welcomed more than 330 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing over 600 brands and intellectual properties.
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the show highlighted the dynamic landscape of the licensing sector in Asia, and served as a trading hub that connects Asian markets with the global industry.
The combination of the dual events provided a compelling mix of business opportunities, innovations, and discussions on key industry topics, led by nearly 20 international licensing experts at the Asian Licensing Conference.
In particular, the Conference focused on trending issues, such as the preservation of the original spirit and cultural heritage of classic IPs like Peanuts and The Smurfs, while also exploring strategies to remain relevant in today’s competitive marketplace. Additionally, ALC offered valuable insights into the rich cultural productions of China and Egypt, fostering the creation of timeless IPs and forging new connections with two of the world’s oldest civilizations.
The show saw the participation of Egyptian cultural institutions, such as the Egyptian Museum of Cairo and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, whereas the Mainland China Pavilion included over 30 museums, such as the Prince Kung’s Palace Museum and 14 prominent museums led by the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau. These cultural strongholds showcased Beijing’s rich history and cultural resources while promoting the internationalization of its museums. In line with its theme, the show embraced Hong Kong’s iconic panda motif, presenting over 30 panda-themed IPs, and the Ocean Park Hong Kong’s panda family IP.
Supporting Local Talent
This year’s edition continued to support young talent, original brands, and IPs. The new Hong Kong Licensing Force area featured 15 IPs created by students from the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. These projects addressed topics such as environmental protection, cultural conservation, and social development, showcasing innovations from the new generation through diverse media applications, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences. Another initiative promoting local creative design was the Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, which returned to the Licensing Show with over 40 local designers participating.
