Mr. Charles Riotto,
President,
LIMA Worldwide

Mr. Riotto is the President and CEO of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), the world’s leading trade group of licensing marketing professionals, with over 1,100 members worldwide. The organisation is based in New York with offices in London, Munich, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

LIMA is recognised globally as the authoritative voice of the worldwide licensing industry. The organisation is the exclusive association sponsor of The Licensing Expo. This is held each June in Las Vegas and is the world’s largest marketplace for licensed properties attracting more than 16,000 visitors from around the world. LIMA is also the association sponsor of major annual licensing events in London, Munich, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Mr. Riotto is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the association, including serving as an industry spokesperson to the trade and consumer media and interaction with the Board of Directors, which includes representation by some of the world’s largest corporations, entertainment studios and sports leagues. He has guided the association through a period of unprecedented growth in the licensing industry. In 2011, revenues from the sales of licensed merchandise reached an estimated $109 billion at retail in the United States and about $185 billion worldwide.

Mr. Riotto has spent over 30 years in association management. Prior to joining LIMA, he served as Executive Director of the International Recording Media Association and previously as Marketing Director and Executive Director of the Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc.