Sustainability in Licensing Conference (SILC) to be staged digitally across two days (November 24-25)

With sustainability being a top priority for those in the greeting card industry, as evidenced by this year’s Christmas card selection (see separate story on this edition of PG Buzz), there is great interest in the Sustainability in Licensing Conference 2020 (SILC) which is to be staged digitally, across two days – Tuesday 24 November and Wednesday 25 November 2020. Online booking for tickets is now live.

Being organised by Max Publishing (owners of PG Buzz) in conjunction with sustainability expert, Helena Mansell-Stopher, the Sustainability in Licensing Conference 2020 (SILC), the first ever of its kind in the world, will deliver a full agenda of inspiring and insightful keynote speeches, panel discussions and never-seen-before research findings from a vast array of experts, retailers and visionaries, focused at helping to drive sustainable growth within their business and the industry as a whole.

Above: Helena Mansell Stopher, formerly of National Geographic and founder of Products of Change is the SILC curator and conference director.

Commenting, Helena Mansell-Stopher, SILC curator and conference director said: “While all our personal and business lives continue to be disrupted by Covid-19, by taking SILC onto a digital platform means that we can all continue on our sustainable journey. The commitment we have engendered in SILC, as evidenced by the fabulous line-up of speakers and official supporters, highlights the collective drive for change on the sustainable front while also being aware of the commercial realities.”

Above: Wastebusters’ Katy Newnham will share some of her innovative and engaging initiatives that straddle retail, consumer products, schools and children.

The SILC speaker line-up includes leaders from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Tesco, Asda, Marks and Spencer, Teemil Tech/Rapanui Clothing, Retail Economics, Central Saint Martins, Breakdown Plastics, Wastebusters, Kids Insights and the R&A (The Open) Sustainable Sporting Events covering a wide spectrum of topics.

Above: The highly respected James George of top environmental organisation, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will highlight the importance of moving to a circular economy.

While James George, network development lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will explain why the circular economy is integral to sustainable growth within the licensing sector Martin Drake-Knight, the Co-founder of Rapanui Clothing and Teemil Techwill share how this British entrepreneurial business forged a sustainable fashion revolution with its ‘give back’ scheme. Meanwhile, on the retail front, Jessica Palalagi, head of resource management at Marks and Spencer which reveal details of its ‘Plan A’; Joe Little, head of technical, fabric, Colour, Sustainability and Technology at F&F, Tesco will share the progress of F&F’s sustainable journey while Jade Snart, senior sustainability manager of George at Asda reveals the great strides the grocer has made on the environmental front.

Above: Asda’s Jade Snart will reveal how the grocer has made great strides on the environmental front while keeping an eye on its customers’ purse.

Providing some real punch on the commercial side, Richard Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Economics will be demystifying how to unlock sustainable finance.

Click here for the full agenda and speaker information.

The digital format of the conference replaces the physical event that was due to take place at the British Library in London on November 25.

Using the respected Hubilo digital platform, not only will attendees be able to watch the presentations in real time on the 24-25 November, but they can also request video meetings with speakers and other attendees in the afternoons on those days, as well as use a chat function to network with other delegates.

The Conference programme of talks will be available for attendees to watch on an ‘on demand’ basis from Thursday 26 November until Sunday 29 November.

The cost of attending SILC 2020 is £95 (+VAT) per delegate. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

Above: SILC has a growing line-up of official supporters.

A great number of leading companies have already pledged their official support to SILC 2020, underlining their commitment to change within the industry. The Products of Change group is the headline supporter of SILC 2020 while the official supporters include Amscan, BBC Studios, Brandgenuity, Change Plastic for Good, Character World, Discovery, Dreamtex, GB eye, Global Brands Group, Hasbro, MDR Brand Management, Natural History Museum, Smiffys, TDP Textiles, TLP, University of Oxford, ViacomCBS, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.