Brand Licensing Europe is launching the ultimate advice point for retailers attending the event in 2009: the Retail Buyers Centre.

All retailers visiting the centre will receive complimentary and impartial assistance from a seven-strong stable of licensing experts; irrespective of the nature of their query, the company they represent, and whether they are new to licensing or industry aficionados.

The panel (listed below) will endeavour to guide them all around the world of licensing as well as the thousands of properties, products, exhibitors and opportunities available to them.

• Keith Pashley – The Keith Pashley Project – consultant advising on all aspects of licensing
• Karen Addison - Karen Addison Associates – provider of solutions to licensing industry
• Fiona Macleod - Fred and Ginger – specialist in design and product development
• Chris Muggleton - Licensing Advice.com – provider of tailor made solutions on all aspects of licensing
• Richard Pink - Pink Key Consulting – promotions and licensing expert
• Gill Thomas - Consulting GT – marketing consultant specialising in character and brand licensing
• Melanie Wood – director of training, Advanstar Communications – trade show expert

Keith Pashley commented: “I’m delighted to be involved in this project. By offering this service we are showing the world wide retail community that we are serious about addressing their individual licensing needs. Each consultant has been hand-picked for their extensive, wide-ranging experience and most importantly, their ability to offer impartial, practical advice.”

Jessica Blue, event director, explained “We need to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our ever growing retail visitor base. The Retail Buyers Centre is the perfect starting point for retailers to navigate their way around the 2,000 properties on show.”

“Our consultants will be briefed to assist everyone and every possible query: from the independent looking to get into licensing, to the grocer interested in finding the next pre-school smash, or the major multiple on the hunt for forthcoming movie merchandising deals. Whatever the quandary, our experts will be on hand to point retailers in the right direction throughout the duration of the event.”

In addition to accessing essential advice sessions, the brand new Retail Buyers Centre will also house meeting space and a cloakroom for the exclusive use of retailers attending the event.

Organiser Advanstar Communications is expecting the demand for sessions to be high. Retailers are recommended to make an appointment in advance by emailing Keith Pashley at buyerscentre@advanstar.com, but are also welcome to drop in at the Retail Buyers Centre on site.

• Companies interested in exhibiting at Brand Licensing Europe should contact Jon Gibson on +44 (0) 20 8956 2663 or jgibson@advanstar.com
• For a list of exhibitors and properties featuring at Brand Licensing Europe, please keep an eye on www.brandlicensingeurope.com