From Night Shifts to Brand Licensing Europe 2026

Brand Licensing Europe 2026 (BLE) took place at ExCel London earlier this month, and it’s an event that everyone in the licensing world circles on the calendar. It is THE place to connect and be seen, with licensors, manufacturers, and big brands all under one roof. RipeConcepts had the honor of exhibiting this year, and our booth sat right across from the Lego booth, which got the whole team excited. We had a great spot on the floor! 

 

As head of the Customer Acquisition Team (CAT), along with a handful of colleagues flew out to represent the company at the event. This contrasts with my usual workdays, which happens in late into the night in the Philippines, staring at a screen, taking calls and sending out mailers to leads and customers who mostly live in the US, the UK, and other Western markets. This time, the screen was a booth, and the video chats became handshakes, and tropical Cebu became foggy London. Funny thing: I packed a thick winter jacket for the trip, but London wasn’t as chilly as I expected this time of year. In fact, the office during my night shifts is colder! 

 

 

Getting the Show on the Road

Standing at the RipeConcepts booth meant a lot to me. It was extremely rewarding to be part of the team that showcased the creativity, talent, and capabilities of RipeConcepts in at such a prestigious event. Seeing the positive response from attendees and the genuine interest in what we do made all the preparation and hard work worthwhile. 

The mood throughout Brand Licensing Europe was incredibly positive and energetic. There was a genuine sense of excitement everywhere. You’d walk around and see popular characters like Peppa Pig, JJ from Cocomelon, Pikachu, The Grinch, and many others roaming around the show floor, appealing to both the inner child and the business professional in all of us. 

Even with all the costumes and bright colors, the focus was serious business, but it never felt overly formal. People were approachable, enthusiastic, and eager to discuss ideas and opportunities. For a few days, it felt like everyone was simply there to celebrate creativity and collaboration. 

It’s hard to pick a single most unforgettable moment. The entire experience was unforgettable. Walking through the exhibition halls and seeing some of the world’s most recognizable brands all in one place was truly inspiring. It gave me a much greater appreciation for the scale of the licensing industry and the role RipeConcepts can play in supporting the people who drive it. 

 

Ancient Inspiration

Away from the show floor, our team made time for a visit to the British Museum during our brief stay. I have had a lifelong fascination with ancient Egypt, so seeing real artifacts in person fulfilled a dream for me. Standing in front of objects made thousands of years ago, I thought about those ancient sculptors, designers, and storytellers shaping these pieces with so much care that they still make viewers stop and stare and wonder today 

 

Gratitude

I’d like to express how thankful I am to have experienced BLE alongside such an amazing team: 

A big thank you to Dwynn for being such a great captain of the ship. The results speak for themselves. We came home with hundreds of new leads, many of whom have genuine interest in working with us. 

To Hazel, thank you for always being dependable and willing to help. Whenever anyone had a question, there was a good chance she already had the answer or knew where to find it. 

To Adel, thank you for being our resident energy bunny and master coordinator. Your efforts helped keep everything running smoothly and ensured that things stayed organized even during the busiest moments. 

To Govinda, thank you for bringing the marketing perspective and helping capture so many great moments through photos and videos. Those memories will stay with us long after the event. 

To Chino, thank you for being such a helpful teammate and roommate. Your extension cord basically saved me from my adapter problem, and I also appreciated your help whenever technical design questions came up during meetings. 

To Errah, thank you for being incredibly reliable during the trip. You were always ready to help, and your power bank kept my phone alive more than once. 

To Annia and Rose, thank you for supporting us throughout the travel process, from helping us prepare documents to processing visas, and taking care of all the logistical details behind the scenes. 

To my teammates from CAT: Ben, Charon, Eddien, Mui, and Zia, your contributions were invaluable. The effort you put into setting appointments for us before the show was a key ingredient in our overall success. I was especially impressed by how many of the leads actually showed up and took the time to meet with us. 

BLE was an incredible experience, but what made it a truly memorable journey was sharing it with such a supportive, talented, and hardworking team.