An expanded partnership with Products of Change brings sustainability initiatives to the forefront following the programme’s European launch in 2021.
The Global Licensing Group, organizer of Licensing Expo, has announced a continuation of its strategic partnership with Products of Change (POC), a global educational hub aimed at driving sustainable change across the consumer product markets and beyond.
Returning as an instrumental partner following last year’s successful implementation at Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit (B&LIS) Europe and Brand Licensing Europe, the expanded initiative represents an ongoing commitment to facilitate industry-wide change and help as many as possible across the industry to take the first steps into their sustainability journey.
Licensing Expo and Products of Change will be delivering two free to attend sessions in the live theatre:
Sustainability 101: A deep dive into the science behind why sustainable transformation is vital for business future prosperity, with Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change, and Andrea Green, principle at Globally Green and POC’s US Ambassador.
Sustainability in Licensing: Manufacturers and brand owners will share their sustainability journey thus far, their strategic plans and areas of collaboration to move the industry forward.
All attendees and exhibitors have access to the Sustainability Business Lounge to arrange one to one clinics with Products of Change experts and consultants and receive free counsel on where to focus their long-term sustainability efforts. Meetings will be scheduled on a first-come-first-serve basis and can be booked in the dedicated Meetings Platform available to all registered attendees – the online platform will be accessible from April 11th.
Alongside the robust education made available to all event participants, Licensing Expo and Products of Change are dedicating significant resources to bring sustainability and DEI to the forefront to drive long-lasting change, encompassing:
- Measuring and reducing carbon footprint
- Hosting activations that showcase real-world examples of how licensed products can be produced ethically and using sustainable methods while remaining visually stimulating, on-brand and commercially viable.
- Providing a platform to amplify diverse voices, working in tandem with Black Lives Matter Licensing, Products of Change, Women in Toys and other relevant organizations
- Holding the License This! competition at Licensing Expo and BLE
- Running a Retail Mentoring Program for junior retail buyers.
“Sustainability and DEI are top of mind for us as leaders in the trade show sector. It is critical to model behavior that drives real progress and deeply roots sustainable practices in the industries we serve,” said Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. “Our ambition is for the licensing industry to lead by example, encouraging others to follow suit, and we look forward to laying the foundation at Licensing Expo.”
Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO, Products of Change added: “Sustainability is a global challenge, and I can’t wait to see how we can advance the industry together. It’s been great to work with the Global Licensing Group on ways it can make its events – Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits – more sustainable. From the ‘Better Stands’ initiative to a reduction in printed materials, through to the significant reduction of carpet at Licensing Expo, this year is a huge step in the right direction for the events’ industry and one that we highly commend Informa Markets for taking as market leaders.”
To learn more about the sustainability and DEI initiatives at Licensing Expo and secure a free visitor pass for the upcoming event held May 24-26, visit www.licensingexpo.com.
