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BLE Launches Matchmaking Service for European Licensing Industry

LONDON, August 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A brand new online Matchmaking Service, which generated over 2,500 meetings at Licensing Expo, has been launched today by sister show Brand Licensing Europe (BLE).

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130723/629764-a )

The BLE Matchmaking Service, which will be provided for free this year, will enable exhibitors and visitors to request meetings with one another through an online portal ahead of the show, taking place from 11 - 13th October 2016 at London's Olympia. The tool allows users to create online profiles, identify key contacts based on area of interest and job type, build relationships and create business opportunities - resulting in a pre-planned roster of private meetings at the event. A team of matchmaking professionals support the service, assisting with meeting arrangements and managing the show's new Matchmaking Lounge.

Used for the first time at Licensing Expo in June, the service resulted in:

  • Over 2,500 business meetings.  
  • Over 345,000 online user profile views.
  • Connected 1,000 licensors with licensees.
  • Generated $200,000 worth of business from one user alone.

Anna Knight, BLE Brand Director, said "The licensing industry has embraced this revolutionary service; the take-up rate at Licensing Expo was 50% higher than in any other industry currently using the tool. In fact, 90% of exhibiting companies engaged with it, and we are delighted to now offer this opportunity to the European market. Users told us that the portal made their time at the show more efficient, opened up a network of new contacts, and generated substantial amounts of new business. We would encourage anyone attending BLE to sign up today."

Following his experience at Licensing Expo, John Larson, Director at IMG Worldwide Inc., added "The Matchmaking Service was a fantastic tool that helped me meet many new contacts. Taking meetings in this format was very valuable and I took about 12 meetings via the service. Many solid leads were generated and many new contacts made."

Now in its 18th year, BLE is the largest and most prestigious licensing event in Europe and runs from 11 - 13th October 2016 at Olympia, London. Organised by UBM and sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), the show features over 2,500 brands, characters, and images available to license from more than 300 exhibitors.

About Brand Licensing Europe, part of UBM's Licensing group  

Brand Licensing Europe 2016 (http://www.brandlicensing.eu) takes place from 11 - 13th October 2016 at Olympia, London. It is the only pan-European event dedicated to licensing and brand extension. Now in its 18th successful year, Brand Licensing Europe 2015 was the biggest event to date; hosting 300 exhibitors and 7,203 visitors from 63 countries.

Brand Licensing Europe is owned by UBM which also organises Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, USA. Both shows are produced in partnership with the international Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). License! Global is the official publication for both shows.

About UBM EMEA 

UBM EMEA (http://ubmemea.com/) connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote brands and expand markets. Operating in more than 23 countries, UBM EMEA organises many of the world's largest, most important live events, awards and community sites in a wide variety of industries. Its events include Brand Licensing Europe, Technology for Marketing, eCommerce Expo, Customer Contact Expo and Decorex.

To access the Brand Licensing Europe Matchmaking Service, please visit http://blematchmaking.com or contact the team at ble@meetingsprogramme.com or call +44(0)1275-335-912.