152 companies have already committed to exhibit at Brand Licensing Europe 2021, with seven weeks still to go and more expected to sign shortly, Informa Markets has this morning (30 September) confirmed.
The announcement coincides with the launch of the event’s online platform. From today, anyone who is registered for BLE can drop off a virtual business card, search the exhibitor list or IP directory, and start booking meetings for both the in-person and online events through the Matchmaking function (sponsored by Flowhaven).
The in-person event runs from 17-19 November at ExCeL London, with a follow up event taking place online from 30 November to 1 December.
A wide range of exhibitors are on board covering categories from sports to animation and heritage to gaming.
They include ViacomCBS, Hasbro, Perfetti Van Melle Group, Panini, Rainbow, SEGA, Vivendi, Coolabi, Warhammer, The Smurfs, Penguin Ventures, Banijay Brands, Crunchyroll, Manchester City, Aardman, Asterix, FC Internazionale Milano, ETS Studios, Kate Mawdsley, Withit Studios, Olympique de Marseille, WWE, MGA Entertainment, Natural History Museum, V&A, Imperial War Museum, Sinigaglia, SCRIBOS Asmodee, ZSL (London Zoo), Federation Française de Football, FC Barcelona, Planeta Junior, Sophie La Girafe, England Football, Dorna Sports, Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol, IMG, Magic Light Pictures and more.
As well as facilitating introductions, IP discovery and meeting bookings (on and offline), the online platform will host on demand educational content and exhibitor trailers. This content will go live after the in-person event ends on Monday 20 November, and follow-up meetings will be available during BLE Virtual.
The online meetings function (sponsored by Flowhaven) was launched at BLE (and sister show Licensing Expo) five years ago. In its first year, over 1,200 business meetings were arranged, and 13,783 online profiles created. In 2019, when BLE was last in person, these stats had rocketed to 3,129 meetings.
“We’re just seven weeks away from meeting up in person again at BLE and to know we will have over 150 companies from across the world exhibiting in London and/or online is fantastic news for the industry and for our visitors,” said Anna Knight, vp of licensing at Informa Markets. “I think it’s fair to say we have all missed that face-to-face time, and it will be wonderful to kick start connections and provide inspiration and food for thought for the European licensing industry once more.
“And for those attending online, I promise you will not miss out. We will be streaming sessions, vox pop and exhibitor interviews filmed at BLE in London, as well as exclusive, never before seen content created for the virtual platform.”
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