The in-person event is due to take place in New York on 27-28 October.
Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit North America (B&LIS) – the two-day conference aiming to bring together more than 200 delegates – has revealed the first wave of speakers confirmed for the in-person Summit set for 27-28 October at Convene New York.
Bay Laurel Advisors, Funko, Macy’s, Microsoft and Xbox are among the more than 40 companies represented at the conference confirmed to take the stage.
The executive-level conference comprises four themes – Market Trends, Retail Disruption, Digital Transformation and Product Sustainability – broken down into two days of keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, breakout sessions and networking opportunities designed to drill down into long-lasting and emergent themes that play an active role in driving consumer purchasing decisions.
“We are thrilled to launch B&LIS in the North American market in partnership with Licensing International, serving as the region’s meeting place for thought leaders to connect, collaborate, and influence the future of brand licensing and consumer product innovation,” said Anna Knight, vp of licensing. “The industry is in the midst of a transformative era as consumers emerge from lockdown and carry with them behaviours formed during the pandemic, such as a strengthened familiarity with digital retail experiences and emerging interests such as self-expression and sustainability.
“These themes carry immense opportunity for retailers and licensors alike, thus underpin the educational and forward-looking conference.”
Anna continued: “What’s more, B&LIS will serve as a reunion for the industry as the first in-person event for the North American licensing community in almost two years. Mark this event on your calendar as a must-attend to garner much-needed insight and to reconnect and network with the industry’s leading decision makers.”
Featured sessions confirmed to date include:
Day 1 – 27 October| Trends, Retail & Sustainability
- A Live Look into Sector and Brand Landscape Trends
- Digital Disruption in Retail: The Balancing Act Between Bricks and Mortar versus eCommerce
- Retail and Brand Partnerships: Driving Online Traffic and Restoring In-store Footfall
- Sustainable Development Goals in Licensing
- Sustainability in Toy Games
- Diversity & Inclusion: Best Practices from the Experts
Day 2 – 28 October | Content & Digital Transformation
- The Power of the Past: Why Brand Management Companies are Snapping Up Heritage Brands
- Odd Couple: Macy’s x Funko
- Location-Based Event and Experiences: Are They Back to Help Bolster Retail Sales?
- Level Up: How eSports & Gaming are Dominating Entertainment Licensing
- It is Now a Data Game Rather Than Just About Selling Product
Speakers confirmed to date include George Wade, founder and president, Bay Laurel Advisors; John Friend, head of Halo and Xbox consumer products; Dave Beré, senior marketing director at Funko; and a Macy’s executive to be announced.
For more details on B&LIS North America, simply click on this link.
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