Industry trade association Licensing International and Brand Licensing Europe have revealed further details for this year’s Licensing U programme, which is now available online.
The reimagined 2022 programme features both pre-show and at-show content to educate anyone new to licensing with everything they need to know about the $315 billion licensing industry.
Complementing the pre-show content, Licensing U delegates will also benefit from orientation sessions and show tours at BLE in the License Global Theatre; concierge support for booking meetings ahead of the event; and in-person speed networking and mentoring with industry experts and key players in licensing.
The early bird price of £245 (a saving of over £100 and for content worth over £600) ends on Friday 2 September. Standard rate will increase to £350 after early bird.
Six pre-show online sessions (each supported with complementary downloadable materials) are now live on the BLE event platform. These are:
- Licensing 101: The Basics of Licensing – understanding licensing, how it works, the terminology and process, with Susan Bolsover, founder and md of Lightbulb Licensing.
- The Legal & Financials of Licensing: What you need to know – what to consider when negotiating a licensing deal and understanding the key contractual terms and financial obligations, with Esther Jolley, IA director, brand extension at Stobbs.
- Style Guides: How to Present your Brand to the Market – what is a style guide used for? The essential components and understanding the importance of the creative process with Sarah Swindell, md and owner and Gemma Aveling, studio manager at Watermelon Creative.
- Trend forecasting – the purpose and process of trend forecasting in relation to consumer products, with Sophie Bloomfield, founder and ceo of SBC.
- A Global Market Overview – as retail value of licensing exceeds $315 billion for the first time, what are the key markets and product categories that are driving the growth and the likely trends to consider, with Steve Manners, head of global marketing and UK md at Licensing International.
- Top Tips for a Successful Visit to BLE – Licensing U delegates will also receive access to Concierge Matchmaking for BLE to help them pre-book meetings with key exhibitors who are relevant to their business objectives. Anna Knight, SVP licensing at Informa Markets, will explain more.
“This Licensing U programme will provide professionals at the beginning of their licensing journey with all of the information and tools they need as they prepare for BLE, ensuring they can be as successful as possible at the event,” commented Maura Regan, president of Licensing International. “The in-person offerings will build on that knowledge, creating opportunities to put those new skills into action through extended networking and mentoring opportunities.”
Informa Markets’ Anna Knight continued: “Having access to really valuable information, advice, and tools about how licensing works before attending meetings at BLE will be hugely beneficial to the many new faces in both the industry and at the show.
“We’re delighted to partner with Licensing International, who have drawn from their extensive expertise to curate an inclusive and practical programme for Licensing U this year.”
Brand Licensing Europe runs from 20-22 September at London’s ExCeL. Visitor registration is open and can be completed via this link.
