Products of Change is building on its partnership with Informa Markets to deliver a raft of purpose-led content across three full days of its London-based international licensing trade show, Brand Licensing Europe 2024 next month, including a sustainability-focused panel session, a fundraising resale event, and a product showcase of industry pioneers and product innovation.
For the past three years, since the introduction of BLE’s Day of Purpose – through which Informa has previously delivered a slew of purpose-led content including a Black Lives Matter fashion catwalk and a partnership with the social impact charity, Diversity.org – Products of Change has been a strategic partner of Informa Markets helping to deliver on sustainability education and content across the show.
This year, as Brand Licensing Europe unveils a whole new roster of purpose-led content to enhance visitor experience once more, Products of Change has developed a programme of activities for attendees to engage with while connecting with like-minded industry folk looking to make impactful, sustainable change across the international licensing business.
Working with the licensing industry charity, The Light Fund, the team at Products of Change will this year be hosting a special resale store featuring donated products, product samples, and unsold inventory across some of the biggest brands in the business. Items will be available to purchase from the Products of Change booth (A265) throughout the three-day show with all money raised going directly towards the Light Fund’s charitable efforts. Not only does the campaign aim to contribute to this year’s fundraising efforts, but help give unsold product a new lease of life diverting them from the waste streams.
On Wednesday, 25th September Products of Change will bring the industry together once more for a special panel session exploring the industry’s journey of adaptation as it embraces sustainability and sustainable production to meet the demands on today. Kicking off at 4pm, the session will bring together industry stalwarts Jeremy Orriss, director of licensing at Difuzed; David Boyne, managing director at Bravado; and Michelle Papayannakos, head of sustainability at Paramount UK as they tackle to topic: Mapping a sustainable pathway: How the industry is adapting to new demands.
The session will explore the steps each business has taken to map out their pathway towards emissions reduction while utilising brands – some of the biggest IP in the brand licensing world – to help bring that all to life both within the industry and for consumers.
Products of Change will also be hosting a product showcase of sustainable innovations from within the industry at its booth A265 throughout the show, where POC’s team of sustainability specialists will be available to talk through some of the finer points of sustainability in business and sustainability across the global brand licensing industry. The product showcase will feature some of the keenest pioneers of sustainable development within the sector as well as the finalists in this year’s Licensing Awards Best Sustainable Products or Initiative category.
POC Members are also invited to join the team for a social networking session from 5pm on Wednesday, 25th September. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to register here.
An industry evolving
Reflective of shifting sensibilities within the business of brand licensing, BLE will be welcoming a host of charity and non-profit brands housed this year within the show’s Brands & Lifestyle zone. This line up will include first time exhibitor, London Zoo – a ZSL conservation zoo – which will certainly make its presence known this year with themed seating areas designed to highlight animal welfare, the importance of conservation, and London Zoo’s sustainability programme.
In support of underrepresented communities, Brand Licensing Europe will once again be welcoming students back to its Day Three Day of Purpose to learn more about the licensing industry as a potential career prospect as they take up the chance to meet some of the key players at the show.
Black Lives Matter Licensing will also return to exhibit at BLE this year, while the show’s organisers will have pronoun badges available at registration for anyone who would like to wear them.
The BLE Wellness Lounge (A272) will include space to unwind and receive a massage with money donated to local charities.
But Brand Licensing Europe has also been going lengths to reduce its environmental impact, too. This year, the event team is aiming to see all feature areas achieve a Gold rating as part of the Informa Better Stands initiative while all lanyards will be made from recycled PET plastic with a returns receptacle provided at the end of the show.
On top of this, attendees will notice more digital and less printed signage; refillable water stations will be found in the ExCeL boulevard; sustainable food and beverage packaging will be in use across the ExCeL’s selection of cafes and bars; while the show floors will be adorned with The Rewind carpet range – a ‘zero-to-landfill alternative’ described as a 55% lower emissions alternative to the carpet used in previous years. Rewind carpet is also recycled at its end of use into a high-grade mono-recyclate, allowing for easier recycling.
Finally, the show will feature a roster of purpose-led educational content on Wednesday, 25th September and Thursday, 26th September, including a look into the future of adaptive clothing with Character.com and a deep dive into ‘what makes an ethical or sustainable brand in 2024’ with the Good Shopping Guide.
Ella Haynes, BLE event director, said: “It’s critical that BLE supports everyone who is involved in, impacted by or could benefit from being connected with the licensing industry – whether that’s shining a light on the amazing consumer products being developed for and by minority communities including the Black community and those with accessibility needs, giving underprivileged students access to an exciting and rewarding career pathway, or doing everything we can to improve our sustainability credentials and provide valuable guidance and advice for BLE attendees targeting with cutting emissions.”
