What does it really take to prepare for the biggest event in the licensing industry?

In this episode of Born to License, David shares a behind-the-scenes look at gearing up for Licensing Expo in Las Vegas — and why this year is different.

After more than a decade attending, the Born team is stepping onto the show floor as an exhibitor for the very first time. From booth design and team logistics to back-to-back meetings and live podcast recordings, this episode breaks down what actually goes into showing up at Expo the right way.

But before that, a personal twist: after six months of marathon training, an unexpected injury changes everything — opening the door to a completely different challenge: a trek to Everest Base Camp.

In this episode:

🏃‍♂️ From marathon to mountain

• The reality of long-term preparation and setbacks
• Why a cancelled race led to a new adventure
• Everest Base Camp: the next big challenge

🎯 Licensing Expo: behind the scenes

• What changes when you go from attendee to exhibitor
• The complexity of building a booth
• Why preparation is everything

🤝 What really happens at Expo

• Hundreds of meetings, events, and opportunities
• Why schedules fill up faster than you think
• The importance of planning ahead

🎙 What’s new this year

• Live Born to License podcast recordings from the show floor
• Speaking on AI and licensing
• The Born Summit in LA bringing the global team together

🎬 A quick take on original IP & licensing

• Why films like Project Hail Mary face challenges in licensing
• The risk vs reward of backing new IP
• Why the industry still leans toward established franchises

The key takeaway: Licensing Expo isn’t just an event — it’s a moment.

And like marathon training, the results you get come down to how well you prepare.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

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