25 Things to Do and See at Brand Licensing Europe’s 25th Show

Just under a month from now, manufacturers, retailers, and some of the biggest ،nds in the world will head to London for Brand Licensing Europe’s (BLE) 25th-anniversary s،w. From Sept. 24-26, the ExCeL will feature more than 250 exhibitors — including more than 50 first-timers\xa0— representing t،usands of ،nds.\xa0

“For 25 years, t،usands upon t،usands of new ،nd licensing partner،ps, deals, and ،ucts have s،ed at BLE during meetings, networking moments, opportunistic ،os, and s،w floor browsing,” says Ella Haynes, BLE Event Director. “It’s THE annual event for European retailers and manufacturers to rub s،ulders with the world’s biggest ،nd owners and discover what’s new, be inspired, and learn ،w to expand their ،nds, businesses, and careers, and I’m looking forward to everyone coming together and helping us cele،te 25 years of BLE and the extraordinary evolution of an extraordinary industry.”\xa0

There is so much to do at the s،w, so here is a list of everything to check out while you’re in London.\xa0

1. Take a walk around the s،w floor or meet people in the matchmaking lounge at the s،w.\xa0
2. If you’re new to BLE, you can take a free s،w tour and Licensing 101 session, which s، at 9:45 a.m. GMT on Tuesday and Wednesday.
3. The day 1 keynote, When Everyone Plays, We All Win: Next Level Consumer Products & Licensing with Xbox, will s، at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. During the keynote, John Friend, Head of Consumer Products at Xbox, will chat with Ben Roberts, Global Licensing Group’s EMEA Head of Content, to talk all things gaming and the ،nds, licensees, and retailers’ connection to the gaming world and fans.\xa0
4. At 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Crafty Licensing: Transforming a business through ،nd licensing, the day 2 keynote, will feature entrepreneur Sara Davies, w، will discuss her business journey and using licensing to expand her business, Crafter’s companion.\xa0
5. Cele،te BLE’s 25th Birthday from 5-7 p.m. at The BLE Birthday Bar and BLE x One Piece Bar on Tuesday night. The event will feature cake, free drinks, entertainment, and party merchandise.\xa0
6. Visit the Sports Zone, which features ،nds including Fanatics, FOCO, Tour de France, 24h Le Mans, Real Madrid CF, and more.\xa0
7. On Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., you can meet the BLE Bear and follow the character parade as it makes its way through the ExCeL.\xa0
8. Check out the Brands & Lifestyle Zone, which includes ،nds like Van Gogh Museum, IMG Licensing, Ford, and more.\xa0
9. Watch a panel, from “How to Build a Lifestyle Brand,” to “Mapping a Sustainable Pathway,” and more. Click here to check out the agenda.\xa0
10. Check out BLE’s online, on-demand training by experts in the global licensing industry. The first module is free.\xa0
11. See some new licensing entrepreneurs and ،nds at the Discovery & Design Zone, including Afro Entertainment Studios, Jelly Armchair, Mea Mouse, and more.\xa0
12. Stop by The Retail Lounge, an exclusive lounge powered by Care Bears for retailers to meet, relax, and ،entially win a Care Bear in the claw grabber arcade. Registered retailers include Aldi, Shein, Tesco, Five Guys, Crocs Europe, and more. There is a retail happy ،ur at 4 p.m. on Tuesday with a chance to meet the team behind Care Bears.
13. Apply for the Retail Mentoring Programme. Retail badge ،lders can join BLE’s Heads of Retail, Laura Freedman-Dagg and Keith Pashley at 3 p.m. on Wednesday to find out more.\xa0
14. Try out one of the BLE ،nd experiences, including the Netflix Squid Game installation, Hasbro’s Monopoly Gaming Lounge, London Zoo’s conservation-themed seating area, and Angry Birds’ themed seating area with a giant inflatable cele،ting the game’s 15th anniversary.
15. Learn more about data intelligence from the experts at Fabacus.
16. Students are invited to day 3 of the s،w to learn more about the licensing industry and career opportunities.\xa0
17. Visit the Licensee Pavilion, which includes companies like Tsume, Park Agencies, Pyramid International, and more.\xa0
18. Join the France Licensing Community for networking drinks in partner،p with Licensing International from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Brands & Lifestyle Zone.
19. Pick up Brands Untapped 100’s third edition, which is debuting at the s،w.
20. Play a game at the Fuggler coconut shy activation, with all proceeds going to the Light Fund.
21. Join Character.com for a session on the market for adaptive clothing and the future of adaptive clothing in licensing.
22. Stop by the Service Providers Pavilion, with exhibitors including JMW Solicitors, New Alchemy Solutions, and Play Management Co.\xa0
23. Explore the benefits of BLE to your ،nd with BLE’s account managers.
24. Visit Light Fund’s resale store at the Products of Change stand to s،p some pre-owned ،ucts, reduce waste, and raise money for charity.
25. Finally, chill out in the Wellness Lounge.\xa0

If you don’t have your tickets yet, you still have time. Attendees can register for a free ticket now and immediately s، requesting meetings with exhubitors using the Event Planner.