BLE’s 2017 Matchmaking Service Now Open for Business

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Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has launched this year’s Matchmaking Service, which allows exhibitors and visitors to request and pre-book meetings, organize their schedules and search for relevant contacts before the event.

The free-to-use service debuted at BLE and Licensing Expo in 2016, resulting in 1,200-plus business meetings, nearly 13,800 online profiles created and 61 percent of exhibitors meeting with more visitors than anticipated. This year it features a number of new system enhancements, including improved search functionality. A team of matchmaking professionals will assist with meeting arrangements and oversee the Matchmaking Lounge at BLE, which is taking place at Olympia London from October 10 to 12.

Anna Knight, BLE’s brand director, commented: “We had incredible take-up from the Matchmaking Service last year from both exhibitors and visitors, with one exhibitor using it to pre-arrange 75 meetings over the show’s three days.

“Post-show analysis showed that it was widely used across the board, but particularly appreciated by brand-new exhibitors and those in the Brands & Lifestyle Zone.

“Since launch, we have improved the portal’s functionality and based on the recent second outing of the service at Licensing Expo earlier this year, we’re confident that we’ll see even more meetings arranged at BLE this year. At BLE, we continuously look for ways we can increase exhibitor ROI and improve the visitor experience, and the matchmaking service ticks both of those boxes.”