Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit Returns to New York with IT’SUGAR Hosted Retail Tour

Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit (B&LIS), a thought leadership event dedicated to transforming the future of brand licensing, opens registration for its live event, where industry leaders and decision makers come to learn and connect over the latest trends and insights impacting the brand licensing business.  

Organized by License Global, B&LIS will return to Convene New York at 117 West 46th St. in New York City on Nov. 2-3.  

The Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit starts with a dedicated retail tour and networking event, presented by international candy and confectionery leader, IT'SUGAR, Thursday, Nov. 2. The 60-minute tour will be held at its central New York flagship store in Times Square as IT'SUGAR shares how to bring licensed products to life through innovative experiential in-store activations. The retail networking event is complimentary and included as part of B&LIS delegates attendee passes.

B&LIS connects exclusive senior-level thought leaders from the business of brand licensing, from brand owners and manufacturers to retailers, and will take place Friday, Nov. 3. The conference provides panel discussions and case studies designed to inspire ingenuity and cover trends predicted to impact the industry over the next few years. Early registered speakers include Circana (formerly known as The NPD Group), IT'SUGAR, Vox Media and Falcon's Beyond, to highlight hot topics such as e-commerce, consumer buying patterns, the future of AI, as well as marketing and engaging consumers across generations.

Immediately following the conclusion of the conference program, License Global will unveil its 2023 "The Influentials" honorees, commemorating those changing the face of the business of brand licensing, to be presented at 5 p.m., Nov. 3. The Influentials recognizes individuals in specific categories who have contributed towards advancing the quality of the licensing industry. Proceeding The Influentials ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy a cocktail reception to celebrate the winners amongst colleagues.

“B&LIS is designed to exclusively connect the international thought leaders and trendsetters shaping the future of licensed consumer products to discuss the evolving digital and experiential landscapes that impact these industries through in-depth educational sessions,” says Amanda Cioletti, vice president, content and strategy, Global Licensing Group, Informa, which includes the flagship trade show, Licensing Expo, and the media brand, License Global. “Think of it as graduate school for licensing industry professionals. This year, Licensing Expo hosted a record number of retailers, so it is critical to create ongoing spaces to share retailer insights. B&LIS aims to continue the discourse and reconnect the industry in New York, addressing challenges and opportunities this industry will face in 2024, 2025 and beyond.”  

This year’s Top Global Licensors report, released by License Global, listed $278 billion in retail sales of licensed consumer products in 2022, with over 40 of the 84 brands in the report seeing a collective growth of more than $29 billion. B&LIS arms attendees with the educational tools needed to continue to expand consumer engagement and worldwide industry growth.   

To register to attend the two-day education and networking event, please visit Brandlicensinginnovationsummit.com. Early Bird pricing is available and will end Sept. 22.