Friday 18 August 2017: Brand Licensing Europe opens its Matchmaking Service today, allowing exhibitors and visitors to request and pre-book business meetings ahead of the event this October.
The easy-to-use online service - provided free of charge - was launched at BLE (and sister show Licensing Expo) in 2016 when it resulted in:
The service allows users to:
This year, the Matchmaking Service incorporates a host of new system enhancements, including improved search functionality. This increased accuracy will make it easier for visitors and exhibitors to request meetings with the businesses and brands of most relevance to them, increasing their ROI. A team of matchmaking professionals supports the service, assisting with meeting arrangements and managing the show’s Matchmaking Lounge.
Following the event, Denise Dean, Owner, Edutainment Licensing, said: “I’ve been able to reach out to people that I wouldn’t have been able to before and my meeting requests are being accepted. It’s a great programme and I’m sure that once people get to grips with it they’ll wonder how they ever managed without it.”
Alessandro Villa, Retail & Licensing Manager EMEA, FIFA: “The service is useful and I was able to arrange several meetings. I actually could have arranged more but my agenda was already fully booked with 19 meetings!”
Roger Hurn, Creative Director, Spook Squad Production: “As first timers at BLE we found the Matchmaking Service to be absolutely invaluable. It provided us with the perfect mechanism to find exactly the right people and contacts we needed to make the most of the opportunities offered by the exhibition. It allowed us to structure our days and concentrate our resources to maximum effect. They had a genuine commitment to making our time at BLE a success and we recommend the BLE Matchmaking service wholeheartedly.”
Anna Knight, BLE Brand Director, added, “We had incredible take up from the Matchmaking Service last year from both exhibitors and visitors with one exhibitor using it to pre-arrange 75 meetings over the show’s three days.
“Post-show analysis showed that it was widely used across the board, but particularly appreciated by brand new exhibitors and those in the Brands & Lifestyle Zone.
“Since launch, we have improved the portal’s functionality and based on the recent second outing of the service at Licensing Expo earlier this year, we’re confident that we’ll see even more meetings arranged at BLE this year. At BLE, we continuously look for ways we can increase exhibitor ROI and improve the visitor experience, and the matchmaking service ticks both of those boxes.”
Europe’s definitive event for the licensing industry in Europe, BLE 2017 takes place 10-12 October at Olympia London. Registration is open now at www.brandlicensing.eu/register
Ends
About Brand Licensing Europe, part of UBM’s Global Licensing Group
Brand Licensing Europe 2017 (www.brandlicensing.eu) takes place from 10 – 12th October 2017 at Olympia London. It is the only pan-European event dedicated to licensing and brand extension. Now in its 19th year, BLE 2017 will feature over 280 exhibitors showcasing over 2,500 brands, characters and images. A free educational programme runs alongside the show featuring advice and sector-specific sessions, workshops and panel discussions along with keynotes from industry trailblazers.
Brand Licensing Europe is owned by UBM and is sponsored by the international Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). License Global is the official publication.
About UBM’s Global Licensing Group (www.licensingexpo.com/global)
The Global Licensing Group at UBM is the global licensing industry’s leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide opportunities around the world to bring brands and products together to explore and cement licensing partnerships. The following events and information products are produced for the licensing industry by the Global Licensing Group: Licensing Expo (May 22-24, 2018), Brand Licensing Europe (October 10-12, 2017), Licensing Expo Japan (April 25-27, 2018), Licensing Expo China (July 25-27, 2018), NYC Summit (March 1-2, 2018), License Global magazine, License Global Daily E-news and License TV.
About UBM EMEA
Brand Licensing Europe is organised by UBM plc. UBM is the largest pure-play B2B Events organiser in the world. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors. Our deep knowledge and passion for these sectors allow us to create valuable experiences which enable our customers to succeed. Please visit www.ubm.com for the latest news and information about UBM.