Toy World spoke to Anna Knight, VP Licensing, Informa Markets, to find out what has happened in the time since we spoke to her last.
The long-awaited return of Brand Licensing Europe is now only days away, with London Excel preparing to welcome back the leading licensing trade fair from 17th-19th November.
We asked Anna how the last-minute preparations were going, and she told us how excited the whole team is. “We’ve got such a packed event in terms of exhibitors, features, keynotes, events and more,” she said. “It’s going to be a hectic but brilliant three days; we just can’t wait to get onsite now.”
The online meetings platform, which lets registered attendees request in-person and online appointments, has been open for the last few weeks and has been inundated with meeting requests, proving that the industry is just as excited about getting together as the Informa crew.
Anna shared the latest big names to join the exhibitor line-up, joining close to 170 confirmed exhibitors, from 20 countries, across in-person and online. “BLE this year is truly embracing the multi-platform format,” she explained. “The majority are exhibiting both in-person and online too, which is testament to their commitment to this format.”
There’s more in the interview on the increase in international visitor sign-ups; on BLE virtual, which will run from 30th November to 1st December; on the keynotes and educational content; on the final of this year’s Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition; on the BLE Sustainability Activation, held in partnership with Products of Change and on a host of other exciting show-related activities.
Visitors are reminded to don their most colourful outfits and take part in Colour for Kelvyn on day two, and to join Team BLE and Licensing International for after-hours drinks on the show floor on day one. Exhibitor drinks will also be hosted at the Novotel on Thursday. (Details in article).
“Licensing is genuinely a face-to-face business, and without a doubt thrives upon personal interactions, so if you can attend, don’t hesitate,” added Anna. “We have the right measures in place to give you comfort and safety, as well as plenty of opportunities to do business.”
To read the full interview, which appeared in the November edition of Toy World, click here.
