Having checked the noise made across social media and our inboxes this week, we can confirm that all systems are indeed ‘go’. Licensing Expo is merely hours away and here at Products of Change we’ve thrown everything into this past week to make sure we hit the ground running the second our feet touch American soil.

If you’ve missed it, Products of Change has had a big week. We launched the POC Industry Framework on Tuesdayand have subsequently been blown away by the response and the coverage we have received from our friends across the industry media and the wider brand, licensing, and consumer products sectors.

The Framework has been a very special project for us these past two-and-a-bit years, signifying exactly what Products of Change has been set up to achieve – real cross-industry collaboration to help all the wonderful businesses and individuals that make up this vibrantly colourful industry on their pathway to sustainable development.

In its creation, we have worked alongside licensors, licensees, agents, service providers, and retailers as well as a plethora of experts across various disciplines within the sustainability conversation, to devise a step-by-step guide on making the transition to a positive and more sustainable way of business.

You can take a look at the fruits of all this labour right here. It’s a complimentary resource created by the industry for the industry and we do hope you will all make great use of the document as we all take the next steps along the pathway to better business together.

Then, of course, we went and launched the latest issue of the Products of Change magazine. The fourth ever issue – the Summer 2023 Sustainability Edit – features a big focus on the US market and its relationship with sustainable development. Just in time for the Las Vegas Licensing Expo.

Given the theme, we’ve also made sure to check in with the team at Informa Markets to explore the over-arching ESG strategy to be driven Licensing Expo forwards this year, look back on a recent Virtual Sustainability Summit held in partnership with the North American organisation Women in Food Industry Management, and of course offer up our usual serving of POC member and global industry news.

The Summer 2023 Sustainability Edit is ready to read online and in print now. You can access the digital edition right hereand if you’re over in Vegas next week – be sure to swing by the stand to pick up your printed copy.

It’s always a joy putting the magazine together each quarter as the industry’s story with sustainable development evolves and deepens with each issue that passes. It makes us tremendously proud to see a community of business and individuals being so proactive. Yes, there’s a long way to go but – going into Licensing Expo with a roster of roundtables, panel sessions, and product showcases, the industry has never felt so engaged.

Oh, by the way – check out our calendar of events at Licensing Expo next week right here and please do register your interest in those you’d like to come along to. Including the POC Member Drinks on the stand.

Now on the subject of drinks, Rob made an early start of this week when he paid a visit to the Northumberland distillery, Marlish Waters to celebrate the farm’s transition to 100% renewable energy and its commitment to nature, the environment, and sustainability through not only its business operations but the transformation of its 25 acres of farmland into a wildlife haven rich in biodiversity and a lot – a lot – of tree planting. Have a read of the write-up here.

From here, it was a train ride back into London to catch up with Products of Change members and purpose-driven pioneers of the Greeting Cards sector to be pursuing real sustainable development in the sector at Progressive Greetings Live. It was fantastic to see the message of sustainability at the heart of so many companies showcasing at what is simply a wonderful, focused event for the Greetings sector. The complimentary lunch is always something to write home about too.

We can’t wait to follow up with the industry’s pioneering thought leaders very soon.

Now then, with all that’s been going on this past week we haven’t had a chance to think about packing. I’m now preparing myself for an enjoyable 12 hours of turning the house upside-down in the hunt for my passport.

Have a good weekend and for everyone heading to Licensing Expo, safe travels and see you on the other side.