Brands & Retail UK summer conference to wrap up with ‘Meet the Buyers’ Networking Party

Ryan Beaird, Event Director of Brands & Retail UK, has announced a new format for the summer conference taking place at the British Library (London) on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July 2022.

The ‘Meet the Buyers’ Networking Party – sponsored by Fabacus – is a speed networking ticket event closing the conference on Day Two (5pm onwards, 7 July).

“After many discussions with retailers it became apparent they want to see as many licensees and brands as possible at events, and if their buying teams are small they can struggle to catch up with everyone.

“Based on the research, we have re-worked the closing party to give retailers VIP booths in the atrium of the British Library terrace so they can meet the audience in 10-minute informal speed networking meetings.

“Canapes and drinks will be served to their tables, giving them a VIP experience. The brands taking part and the licensees that are attending the conference will now get the chance to catch up with major retailers one-to-one… a perfect way to end the summer conference.”

Buying teams that have signed up for VIP booths so far include Tesco, ASDA, Boots, Character.com, ebay and Toys”R”Us.

Brands & Retail UK are also delighted to announce Fabacus are once again exclusive sponsors of the summer conference.

Andrew Xeni, CEO of Fabacus, says: “After an incredible debut conference this February, Fabacus are delighted to again be sponsoring such an important event in the licensing calendar that brings all parties in the industry together, offering licensees and retailers the chance to see upcoming plans of some of the best-known brands in the market.

“The summit aligns perfectly with our mission to facilitate deeper connectivity, visibility and trust across the value chain, as we are enabling partnerships to be based on a foundation of accurate master data and insight.

“We’re looking forward to connecting with a number of client partners we’re already working alongside, as well as using this opportunity as sponsors to meet new faces to showcase our technology, its benefits, and how we’re committed to transforming brand licensing through the power of data.”

There are only six 15-minute pitching slots left for Day One (6 July) for Lifestyle, Commercial, Heritage, Charity and Sports brands, and only three 15-minute pitching slots left for the Character and Gaming brands on Day Two (7 July). If you are a brand and would like to take part, contact Ryan.Beaird@BrandsRetail.uk.

Licensees can book their FREE tickets for the conference and purchase their ‘Meet the Buyers’ party tickets on the conference website, www.BrandsRetail.uk

First pitchers announced for Brands & Retail UK Summer Conference

Ryan Beaird, Event Director of the Brands & Retail UK Conference, has confirmed a host of big-name participants for the Summer conference, which takes place at the British Library, London, on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July 2022.

Companies confirmed so far include:

TeamGB – Day 1 and Day 2

The Victoria and Albert Museum – Day 1

Mattel – Day 2

Paramount – Day 1 and Day 2

Acamar Films – Day 2

Kelebek Media – Day 2

MGA Entertainment – Day 2

Penguin Ventures – Day 2

Warhammer – Day 2

With only twelve 15-minute pitching slots left for Day One (6 July) for Lifestyle, Commercial, Heritage, Charity and Sports brands and only seven 15-minute pitching slots left for the Character and Gaming brands on Day Two (7 July), opportunities are limited.

Ryan says: “If you’re already a licensee or retailer of any the brands, please do email to pre-register as the capacity is limited to 200 seats on both days. As a reminder, the conference is free, and you can have up to three members of staff attend from your company.

“The B&RUK Winter conference, which took place on 24 February this year at the British Library, was a huge success. With over 200 key executive representatives from brands, licensees and retailers attending, the feedback from the audience on the format and the quality of the screenings was all positive. I’m excited the Summer conference is now really taking shape.

“The Winter conference sold out in weeks of being announced and I was operating a reserve list so knew we could expand the conference into two days for the summer, which must mean I’m doing something right for the industry.

“Licensees who attended the 24 February conference are already pre-registering for both Days One and Two, and I am speaking with the main UK Retailers about them bringing their wider buying teams and building the retail side of the audience.

“Brands & Retail UK conferences are only open to licensees and retailers, and to watch the screenings and presentations you will need to sign a conference NDA and will be vetted for attendance.

“I am also finalising the closing Summer Terrace Party which take place on the terrace at the British Library from 5pm on 7 July and will only be open to the licensees and retailers attending both days and the brands taking part.

“With capacity for 200 people on the terrace it will be a great place to do business after watching the great screenings and presentations during the day.”

If you wish to book a remaining pitching slot please email Ryan at Ryan.Beaird@BrandsRetail.uk, and if you are a retailer or licensee and wish to reserve your seats now you can do so by reaching out.

More information is available at www.BrandsRetail.uk

 

Brands & Retail Pitch Smarter Summer Conference set for 6 & 7 July

Following huge support for the Winter Pitch Smarter Conference from the UK’s consumer product and retail industry, Ryan Beaird, Event Director for Brands & Retail UK, has announced there will be a Summer Conference in July.

Taking place on 6–7 July 2022, again at the British Library, the event will close with a Summer Terrace Party for over 200 industry executives at the end of Day 2.

“The support from licensors, licensees and retail buyers has been phenomenal for the Winter Conference and demand was so high I had a reserve list of licensors wanting to book pitching slots, which meant I had to expand the show,” says Beaird.

“I am delighted that Acamar Films, Mattel and ViacomCBS are supporting the new summer event, having taken the first three slots on Day 2, and I will be announcing more great brands who have reserved slots very shortly.

“I now want to open the event up to sports, charity, publishing, heritage, commercial/lifestyle brands, so planning is going into bringing these licensors into the conference and giving them the opportunity to share their updates and their fantastic brands to a room full of licensees and retailers.

“I am working with the British Library events team on holding the conference party on their amazing Roof Terrace which will be welcome news to those reading this. I think we are all longing for sunshine and being outside again.

“I am also delighted to confirm that the conference price for the audience will stay the same – 100 per cent FREE.”

Free registration for the Brands & Retail UK Pitch Smarter Summer Conference will go live on 25 February 2022.

For more information about taking part, visit www.brandsretail.uk or contact Ryan Beaird at Ryan.Beaird@BrandsRetail.uk.

Twenty tickets (at time of press) are still available for the Winter party at the Ivy Club on 24 February. Priced at £75 each, they are available from the website.