Brand Licensing Europe Opens Speaker Applications for 2026 Event

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) in partnership with License Global, has issued its first ‘call for speakers’. The licensing industry is invited to submit speaker proposals and shape the show’s popular content for the first time in the event’s 27-year history, ensuring the programme continues to feature exciting new and diverse thought leaders, innovators and experts.

“BLE's content programme is a big pull for licensing professionals attending the show,” said event director Ella Haynes. “It is purposely forward-looking content designed to positively impact career and business growth.

“The licensing industry is bursting with innovation and new ideas across every category, and it’s critical we give expert voices the stage to share their successes with the broader industry. From first timers to BLE to licensing veterans who have been coming for years, a big part of the BLE experience is to inspire and spark ideas, to learn and imagine, and content can be a brilliant way to do just that.”

The Five Pillars of the 2026 Program

BLE and License Global have identified five core strategic pillars for the 2026 show. While the organisers welcome a wide range of topics, they are specifically seeking panel contributors for the following sectors:

Sports: Focusing on licensing for leagues, athletes, and esports, as well as digital innovation and fan-focused sponsorships.
Fashion: Addressing luxury and streetwear strategies, global market collaborations, and the rising importance of sustainable and ethical licensing practices.
Food and Beverage (F&B): Exploring restaurant brand extensions, lifestyle collaborations, and upcoming flavour-led partnerships.
Retail: Analysing experiential retail, e-commerce trends, and the strategies retail brands use to expand into new categories through licensing.
Trend and Future: Investigating emerging technologies such as AI, VR, and the metaverse, alongside the impact of cultural and consumer shifts on brand innovation.

Actionable Insights and Real-World Data

The organisers have set a high benchmark for successful applicants. According to Haynes, the "ideal applicant" is a subject-matter expert capable of providing real-world case studies and actionable insights.

“If we could manifest the ideal applicant, they would be a true expert in their field with access to real-world case studies and actionable insights that resonate with the audience. They must be collaborative and happy to share the stage with other brands and experts and be able to share something new – whether that’s stats, an announcement or exclusive behind-the-scenes insight, for example,” added Ella Haynes.

Beyond general expertise, BLE is prioritising speakers who can provide:

Exclusive Data: New statistics or proprietary research that can benchmark industry performance.

Behind-the-Scenes Access: Transparency regarding the logistics and execution of high-profile partnerships.

Collaborative Spirit: A willingness to share the stage with other brands and contribute to multi-disciplinary panel discussions.

For B2B stakeholders, the open call for speakers represents an opportunity to influence the industry's "thought-leadership" agenda. As the licensing market becomes increasingly complex, navigating technological disruption and shifting retail behaviours, the ability to hear directly from front-line practitioners is a critical value proposition for the BLE brand.

As the event prepares for its 2026 edition, industry observers expect this new model to result in a more dynamic and technically rigorous program. By empowering experts to define the "Trend and Future" of the category, BLE is reinforcing its role as a primary engine for career and business growth within the global licensing ecosystem.