Visitors are urged to save the date as BLE announces this year’s official opening day networking events for Tuesday 20th September – UPDATED.

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) is the leading European event for licensing and brand extension, taking place from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd September at ExCeL London, and visitors can register for free online. Please note updated opening hours here.

In order to facilitate the all-important socialising aspect of the show, official BLE opening day networking and after-hours events are: (please note timing have been revised along with the new show hours).

• Spotlight on France and launch of France Licensing Day

(Tuesday 20th September, 17.30, BLE Bar, free to attend and open to all)

BLE is spotlighting France and the French licensing industry at this year’s event and will be announcing the launch of next year’s France Licensing Day in partnership with Licensing International France, which will take place on 9th March 2023. The BLE Bar will be branded to reflect the focus on France and will showcase all of this year’s French exhibiting brands. Everyone is invited to join the BLE team and Licensing International France’s Laurent Taieb and Florence Ayem to celebrate the successes of the French licensing industry.

• Opening night drinks  

(Tuesday 20 September, 18:00- 20:00, all three bars on the show floor, free to attend and open to all)

Last year’s ‘welcome back’ drinks were incredibly popular with BLE attendees, and this year is likely to be even busier, so make sure to save the date in your calendar. Drinks are free to attend and open to all, although guests must be registered and have a BLE badge to gain access to this ideal networking opportunity (register for free here).

• Licensing International opening night party 

(Tuesday 20th September, 19:30 onwards, central London)

The Licensing International party returns to BLE this year. Taking place at 100 Wardour Street in Soho (just five stops on the Elizabeth line from ExCeL), this is a ticketed event. Tickets are priced at £85 plus VAT for Licensing International members and £125 plus VAT for non-members and can be purchased online here.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the opening night party for BLE 2022,” said Maura Regan, president of Licensing International. “These events are an opportunity to strengthen your relationships in the global licensing industry, and the Soho Nights party is the perfect venue with amazing musical entertainment, outstanding food, and an open bar featuring wine and beer. We promise it’s a party not to be missed.”

Anna Knight, SVP of Licensing, Informa Markets, added: “When it comes to getting business done, networking is critical to the licensing industry who, as we all know, are a hard-working and wonderfully sociable bunch. These three events on BLE opening day are brilliant opportunities for everyone to get together, reconnect, make new connections or just let their hair down and have some fun after a busy day of meetings.”