Licensing Expo 2022 is continuing to underline its commitment to sustainability – revealing an expanded partnership with Products of Change, bringing sustainability initiatives to the forefront following the programme’s success at BLE last year.
Products of Change is a global educational hub which is aimed at driving sustainable change across the consumer product markets and beyond.
The new expanded initiative will see Licensing Expo and POC deliver two free to attend sessions at the show – which runs from 24-26 May – in the live theatre:
- Sustainability 101: A deep dive into the science behind why sustainable transformation is vital for business future prosperity. Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder of Products of Change, and Andrea Green, principle at Globally Green and POC’s US ambassador, will explain why we need to transition business and fundamental guiding principles to build a sustainable framework.
- 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.
In addition, all attendees and exhibitors will have access to the Sustainability Business Lounge to arrange 121 clinics with POC 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 11 April.
Alongside the 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: Top-line commitments for 2023 include managing waste streams, from significantly reducing carpet on the expo floor to identifying digital alternatives to signage and printed materials.
- 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 organisations.
- Holding the License This! competition at Licensing Expo and BLE to elevate voices and brands that lack the investment or experience needed to broker licensing deals.
- Running a Retail Mentoring Programme for junior retail buyers. A year-long programme that consists of seminars, coaching and mentoring, brand owner site visits, and expo passes to encourage the younger generation to pursue future career opportunities in the retail space.
“Sustainability and DEI are top of mind for us as leaders in the trade show sector; it’s critical to model behaviour 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. “We are so proud to renew and strengthen our partnership with Products of Change to, first, spread awareness of the long-lasting impact each individual can have on our planet’s health, followed by instilling sustainability into the core of each business’ operations.
“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, founder of Products of Change, continued: “With the lack of in-person events over the last two years, Licensing Expo is going to be a celebration of the industry coming back together globally, pivotal to this is how we future proof the industry as consumers mindset shifts and technology advances. Because of this, POC is proud to partner with the Global Licensing Group to highlight the importance of transitioning the industry to a sustainable future.
“It’s been great to work with the Global Licensing Group on ways they can make their events – Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits – more sustainable. From the ‘Better Stands’ initiatives 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, visit www.licensingexpo.com.
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