Brand Licensing Europe announces packed agenda of experiential, educational and networking events

• 22^nd BLE takes place 20-22 September at ExCeL London
• 2022 theme is fashion
• Free registration open now

Europe’s leading event for licensing and brand extension – Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) – has announced an exciting schedule of networking, educational and experiential events for its 22^nd show, which takes place 20-22 September 2022 at ExCeL London.

Welcoming thousands of European retailers, manufacturers and brand owners, BLE 22 will present the latest brand collaborations, inspire future product ranges, display the hottest product design innovation, showcase new and emerging IPs, and highlight the endless opportunities for brands to extend into new categories and markets.

Attendees can register for free to join Amazon, Aykroyd & Sons, Tesco, Moonpig, Panini France, Jakks Pacific, HMV, Danilo, Paladone Products, Clementoni Spa, Spin Master, Ravensburger and more, already registered to visit.

More than 150 exhibitors have confirmed their participation including Mattel, NBCUniversal, TF1 Licensing, Acamar Films, Pokémon, Sophie La Girafe, Difuzed, Crunchyroll, Bravado, The Smurfs, AC Milan, Asterix, Formula E, Paramount, BBC Studios, Hasbro, Gallimard Jeunesse, Ubisoft.

Attendees can enjoy the following experiential, educational and networking highlights:

Experiential highlights include:

• 10 choreographed catwalk shows forming part of BLE 2022’s fashion theme focusing on Footwear, Kids, Food & Beverage, Collabs, Sports & Athleisure, Culture & the World and Sustainability
  
  
  • 4 branded cafes and bars offering immersive experiences, product installations and additional meeting space
    
    
  • The much-loved character parade, taking place at 11.30am on 20 and 21 September  – follow the characters as they walk through the show before emerging outside the West entrance of ExCeL.
    
    
  • The Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition Finale returning on  22 September from 10:30am until 12:00pm. Watch the shortlisted entrepreneurs battle it out to win the 2022 Character & Animation and Brand & Design awards. Plus, last year’s winners Sophie Jonas-Hill with Tea for Tattoo and Joel Mercer’s Seed Folk exhibiting on the main show floor.  
    
    
  • A new sustainability and diversity programme spotlighting new and diverse brands and voices, with 22 September (final day of the show) exclusively dedicated to bringing this to life through activations and education
    
    
  • An exclusively curated Retail Lounge designed for retail attendees to mingle, gain product inspiration and host meetings

Educational highlights include:

• Free-to-attend keynotes on 20 & 21 September at 1:00pm in the License Global Theatre. Stay tuned for the first reveal next week.

• A renewed partnership with Products of Change providing an educational platform for those looking for guidance on how to make their business more sustainable

• A re-imagined experience for newcomers to the industry with orientation sessions, show tours, speed networking and expert mentoring alongside pre-event on-demand content .

• Additional free educational sessions in the License Global theatre including category spotlights and conference sessions from the recently postponed Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit
   
  • Entertainment showcases on 20 & 21 September in the Platinum Suite

All sessions will be recorded and available on-demand in the online platform, available to all registered attendees and exhibitors. This does not include the invite-only entertainment showcases.

Networking highlights include

• Opening Night Drinks on the show floor on 20 September from 5:00pm – 7:00pm open to all attendees and exhibitors.
  
  
  • The return of the Online Meetings Service and Matchmaking Lounge allowing attendees and exhibitors to book meetings ahead of the event and maximise ROI from the show.
    
    
  • Exhibitor drinks reception on 21 September at the Novotel from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.

“The calendar for BLE is firming up quickly and we want to give the industry as long as possible to start planning and block their diaries before the meeting requests start coming in. With so much going on through the exciting Fashion theme, the packed seminar programme and more, there’s something for everyone and we can’t wait to welcome the European licensing community to ExCeL this September,” said Informa Markets SVP of Licensing Anna Knight.

Upon registering, all visitors and exhibitors will gain access to the free online platform to setup their profile in preparation for the Meetings functionality opening mid-July to book meetings ahead of the event. All content will be available on-demand in the platform once the show ends.