Doors open to Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) at 9am this morning. The 21st edition of the show, which runs from until Friday (19 November), is taking place at ExCeL London.Â
Billed as the only pan-European annual event dedicated to licensing and brand extension, the exhibition features over 2,500 brands and more than 7,500 licensees, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and licensing agents.
BLE is part of the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets. Anna Knight, VP Licensing at Informa Markets, said: “There is so much happening at BLE 2021. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back and reconnect the European licensing industry for the first time in over two years.â€
Highlights include personal appearances from celebrities including Team GB Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Worthington, who will pop by at 5pm today, and The Style Sisters, who will attend the event tomorrow afternoon to tell the story of their burgeoning brand in the Retail Trends Lounge.
The big focus of BLE this year is on sustainability. Brands like the Natural History Museum and The Eden Project will be showcasing sustainable products, and George at Asda will be displaying its 100% responsibly sourced school wear and 3D design tech. Also present will be the Newlife charity, which takes excess stock from retailers, resells it, and uses the money to buy medical equipment for disabled children
Plus, from 3pm to 4pm today, there will be the launch of a licensing programme for Obki, which is Sky Kids’ new programme based on an eco alien who comes to save earth. The climate change cartoon character was recently awarded a COP 26 Ambassadorship.
BLE has requested that visitors bring proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test, along with their face mask and entry badge.
 at 9am this morning. The 21st edition of the show, which runs from until Friday (19 November), is taking place at ExCeL London.){kind=link}