Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has extended its opening hours and added another social occasion in a bid to beat the strikes taking place during the event next week.
BLE has been hit by planned a planned national rail strike on Wednesday October 4, its opening day, and London tube strikes on that day and on the final day of the show, October 6 and has responded by giving more time for attendees to meet exhibitors.
It will now remain open for an additional hour from 5-6pm on Wednesday, open at 8am, an hour earlier, on Thursday, stay open until 7pm that day, giving two extra hours for meetings, while closing earlier on Friday, at 3pm, to allow visitors more time to travel.
Organisers have also added a second drinks reception on Thursday to give more socialising and informal meeting opportunities.
It is also highlighting other routes to get to ExCeL in east London, the venue’s car parking capacity and lines that will be running throughout the strikes, such as the Elizabeth Line, the Docklands Light Railway and London Overground, all of which can help exhibitors and attendees. It is advising all attendees to check routes and plan ahead and keep an eye out for updates, as the strikes are liable to be called off at any minute.
“We have extended show opening times to allow morning meetings to be held later in the day, and we’ve added a second Welcome Drinks on the show floor on Thursday from 5-7pm. We’re also closing the show an hour earlier on Friday to let people get away ahead of the rush hour”
SVP Licensing, Informa Markets Anna Knight
It has added extensive travel information to its website here https://www.brandlicensing.eu/en/about/travel-information.html
SVP Licensing, Informa Markets Anna Knight said: “After nearly 18 months of train strikes, the UK has become pretty resilient and innovative about working around them and not letting them impact our day to day lives, and there’s so much to look forward to at this year’s BLE, it’s definitely worth some extra time planning your transport options. Pre-reg is substantially up, we have 72 new exhibitors and 4200 meetings have been prearranged on our platform,.
“If the tube strikes do go ahead, there will still be plenty of options for travelling to/from ExCeL, including the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway, Overground and Cable Car. There will be thousands of parking spots at ExCeL, the 02 and Westfield Stratford, all with overnight options, making it easy to park and ride.
“We have extended show opening times to allow morning meetings to be held later in the day, and we’ve added a second Welcome Drinks on the show floor on Thursday from 5-7pm. We’re also closing the show an hour earlier on Friday to let people get away ahead of the rush hour. It may also be easier to book a hotel room to be close to ExCeL, there are plenty still available. But the most important thing I can say, is plan and book ahead and triple check for updates before travelling.”
