Organizers of Brand Licensing Europe have issued a final call for speakers as the deadline for proposals approaches. The event, scheduled for October 6-8 at ExCeL London, is currently accepting applications until Friday, July 31. This year marks a significant shift in how the conference builds its agenda.
For the first time in 27 years, the event has opened the floor to the broader industry to submit speaker proposals directly. According to Ella Haynes, the event director, the new approach has generated a strong response from the licensing community.
“This is the first time in 27 years BLE has invited the industry to submit speaker proposals and it’s proving incredibly popular,” Haynes said.
The conference agenda is filling up quickly. Organizers report that 61 applications have been received to date, in addition to the direct outreach conducted by the team each year. Haynes noted that only a few spots remain on the schedule for the upcoming October event. She mentioned that the team will begin announcing the program, which includes plans for two keynotes, from August onward once the lineup is finalized.
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Conference Themes and Focus
This year’s programming is designed to address current market trends and feedback from previous attendees. The confirmed themes include specific category focuses on music, museums, heritage, food and beverage, and character and entertainment. These sectors represent core growth areas for the licensing industry.
Beyond specific sectors, the agenda will tackle operational strategies. Sessions will cover working relationships with manufacturers and licensees, as well as how to approach business in new and emerging territories. The goal is to provide content that helps shape the future of fandom, retail, and consumer products.
This shift toward an open submission process allows the organizers to tap into expertise that might otherwise go unnoticed. By soliciting proposals from a wider pool, the event aims to diversify the voices on stage and ensure the content reflects the actual challenges facing professionals in the brand extension market today. It is a practical move to keep the material fresh for an audience that returns annually.
Application Requirements
The selection committee is looking for speakers who have not previously appeared on the BLE stage. Criteria for selection include subject matter knowledge, presentation skills, and compatibility with the event’s content strategy pillars. Applicants will receive a response regarding their status within four weeks of submission.
“We are looking for really engaging speakers who have never been on the BLE stage before. People who have passion, knowledge and access to real world case studies,” Haynes added.
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Prospective speakers should be aware of specific logistical constraints. Organizers have stated that Brand Licensing Europe cannot cover speaker fees or travel and accommodation costs. This is a standard requirement for many trade events, ensuring budget is allocated primarily to production. However, proposals that are not selected for the 2026 event may be rolled over for consideration in 2027.
“If that sounds like you, get your applications in before 31 July, or we can’t promise you won’t be suffering from some serious FOMO at the show in October,” Haynes said.
Brand Licensing Europe is the only pan-European annual event dedicated to licensing and brand extension. Registration for a free visitor pass is currently open, and the online Event Planner is available for scheduling.
Interested applicants can find more details and complete the online form through the official call for speakers page.
