Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit North America Reveals First Wave of Speakers

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Design in Design Innovation | 0 Comments

The convention released its first wave of speakers for its in-person event. | Source: Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit

Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit (B&LIS) North America has confirmed its first wave of speakers.

The two-day thought leadership convention announced a series of new speakers for its upcoming event at Convene New York in New York City. The summit is dedicated to transforming the future of brand licensing and is partnering with Licensing International to strategically design a one-stop shop for in-depth education and trend analysis within brand licensing.

“This year’s B&LIS North America speaker lineup covers all the latest topics and trends impacting the business of licensing,” says Anna Knight, senior vice president of the Global Licensing Group. “This year’s conference lineup will facilitate thought-provoking conversations and help those in attendance adapt to the fast pace of change to continue to serve consumers with the brands they love in new, innovative, ways.”

Registration for the in-person event was launched in tandem with this announcement. U.S. based industry leaders and decision makers will come together to learn and connect over the hottest topics for licensing consumer products across every category. Beanstalk, Brand Central, Hot Topic, Virtual Brand Group, and WHP Global are some of the first companies confirmed to take the stage and will speak on topics ranging from to NFTs.

To date, the confirmed conference sessions and speakers are as follows:

Session: Changing Retail Landscape: Retailers’ Evolving Post-Pandemic Strategies
- Speakers: Maura Regan, President, Licensing International; Robin Motts, Vice President/GMM, Hot Topic Inc.; Jamie Uitdenhowen, EVP/GM of Toys “R” Us, WHP Global
Session: Metaverse in Action: Converting Buzz to Consumer Purchase
- Speaker: Justin W. Hochberg, CEO & Founder, Virtual Brand Group
Session: From NFT to Dollars: How NFTs can Actually Make Sense
- Speakers: Ross Misher, CEO, Brand Central; Alex Locke, Founder and Managing Member, Bored of Directors, and IP/Technology Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Session: Sustainability Session
- Speaker: Andrea Green, Advisory and U.S. Ambassador, Products of Change
Session: Economic Overview: What Challenges are Forecast for 2023?
- Speaker: Simeon Siegel, CFA, Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets
Session: Sustainability Panel
- Speaker: Linda Morgenstern, Vice President, Brand Management,Beanstalk
Session: Think Tank: Can the Licensing Process be Rebuilt?
- Speakers: Michelle McLaughlin, CEO, Brand Activation Consulting; Sam Hafif, CEO, Concept One Accessories; Maya Assis, VP of Licensing, KOMAR; Winnie Jaing, Senior Director, Licensing Strategy & Partnerships, Hot Topic Inc
Session: Marketing 2.0: How to Reach Gen Z and Alpha
- Speakers: Philippe Guinaudeau, CEO, BrandTrends; Todd Kaufman, VP, Strategy & Partnerships, Beanstalk
Session: Diversity & Inclusion: Walking the Talk
- Speaker:Cory Moss, CEO, CLC
Session: Trends: The Changing Consumer and Product Trends Set to Dominate in the Year Ahead
- Speaker: Erin Rechner, Head of Kidswear, WGSN

B&LIS North America will take place Nov. 8-9. Registration can be found here.