The environmental advocacy group Products of Change is continuing as a partner for the Licensing Expo in May.
The Global Licensing Group, organizers of Licensing Expo, announced the continuation of its strategic partnership with Products of Change (POC), a global educational hub aimed at driving sustainable change across the licensing and consumer product markets.
“Sustainability and DEI are top of mind for us as leaders in the trade show sector; its critical to model behavior that drives real progress and deeply roots sustainable practices in the industries we serve,” said Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. “We are so proud to renew and strengthen our partnership with Products of Change to, first, spread awareness of the long-lasting impact each individual can have on our planet’s health, followed by instilling sustainability into the core of each business’ operations.
“Our ambition is for the licensing industry to lead by example, encouraging others to follow suit, and we look forward to laying the foundation at Licensing Expo.”
PoC earlier worked with Global Licensing Group at theBrand & Licensing Innovation Summit (B&LIS) Europe and Brand Licensing Europe, but the partners say they are expanding their initiative “to facilitate industry-wide change and help as many as possible across the industry to take the first steps into their sustainability journey.”
Since the live Licensing Expo in the US has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, this is the first time PoC will provide programming for an in-person event in the Americas.
As part of the partnership, Licensing Expo and Products of Change will be delivering two free sessions in the live theatre. The first is called Sustainability 101, and is a deep dive into the science into why sustainable transformation is vital for business future prosperity. Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change, and Andrea Green, Principle at Globally Green and POC’s US Ambassador, will explain why the industry needs to transition business and fundamental guiding principles to build a sustainable framework.
The second session is called Sustainability in Licensing, and will involve manufacturers and brand owners sharing their experience in implementing sustainability programs thus far, and their plans for the future.
As well, all attendees and exhibitors have access to the Sustainability Business Lounge to arrange clinics with Products of Change experts and consultants. The idea is to provide free expert advice on how to focus long-term sustainability efforts. Meetings will be scheduled on a first-come-first-serve basis and can be booked in the dedicated Meetings Platform available to all registered attendees. The online platform will be accessible from April 11.
“With the lack of in-person events over the last two years, Licensing Expo is going to be a celebration of the industry coming back together globally, pivotal to this is how we future proof the industry as consumers mindset shifts and technology advances,” said Products of Change CEO Helena Mansell-Stopher. “Because of this, POC is proud to partner with the Global Licensing Group to highlight the importance of transitioning the industry to a sustainable future. Sustainability is a global challenge, and I can’t wait to see how we can advance the industry together.”
Licensing Expo are also working on a number of initiatives that go well beyond this single event, designed to drive long-lasting change in the industry. Programs include:
- Measuring and reducing carbon footprint: Top-line commitments for 2023 include managing waste streams, from significantly reducing carpet on the expo floor to identifying digital alternatives to signage and printed materials.
- Hosting activations that showcase real-world examples of how licensed products can be produced ethically and using sustainable methods while remaining visually stimulating, on-brand, and commercially viable.
- Providing a platform to amplify diverse voices, working in tandem with Black Lives Matter Licensing, Products of Change, Women in Toys, and other relevant organizations
- Holding the License This! competition at Licensing Expo and BLE to elevate voices and brands that lack the investment or experience needed to broker licensing deals.
- Running a Retail Mentoring Program for junior retail buyers. A year-long program that consists of seminars, coaching and mentoring, brand owner site visits, and expo passes to encourage the younger generation to pursue future career opportunities in the retail space.
As well, PoC has worked directly with Global Licensing Group on ways to make the events themselves more environmentally friendly.
“It’s been great to work with the Global Licensing Group on ways they can make their events – Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits – more sustainable,” said Mansell-Stopher. “From the ‘Better Stands’ initiatives to a reduction in printed materials, through to the significant reduction of carpet at Licensing Expo, this year is a huge step in the right direction for the events’ industry and one that we highly commend Informa Markets for taking as market leaders.”
PoC originally partnered with Global Licensing Group in 2021 as a strategic partner to promote actions the broader licensing community has already taken. Those joint efforts included:
- Producing a 2,000 square foot Sustainability Activation Feature—the activation was the single most visited stand at the event.
- Elevated notoriously unsustainable categories within the licensing industry, using real-world illustrations and products to showcase progress in these groups. An example included showing how an apparel company could switch from producing fabric samples to using 3D modeling.
- POC experts ran a 121 Sustainability Clinic to provide strategic guidance on how attendees and exhibitors alike can take a more sustainable-focused approach to business.
“We’re conscious of the various societal concerns that the licensing and trade show industries, often unconsciously, contribute to and recognize the value of working with our peers to solve big challenges,” remarked Knight. “We invite you to join us at Licensing Expo this May and engage with the education available, learn about sustainable and inclusive practices, and reflect on what you can do to drive progress. In time, our collective efforts will catalyze real progress.”
To learn more about the sustainability and DEI initiatives at Licensing Expo and secure a free visitor pass for the upcoming event held May 24-26, visit www.licensingexpo.com.
Media passes are available to verified press; the credential request form is accessible here.