For the second year in a row, Licensing International invited a group of our scholarship recipients to a special program called The Scholarship Winners’ Experience at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) 2026, which took place in London in early October.

Through this immersive program, these future licensing leaders participated in educational sessions, unique networking opportunities, and invaluable mentorship from current leaders in the global brand licensing community. Here’s what these aspiring professionals took away from their experience at BLE: 

Akiela Arthamevia [CEPE]
“My most memorable moment was attending the Mattel showcase. As a longtime fan of iconic brands like Barbie, stepping into that room made me feel like a true insider. Getting a sneak peek into how such a powerhouse brand builds its future creative vision was surreal. Beyond that, connecting with industry leaders, sharing insights with my fellow scholarship recipients, and feeling so welcomed into the licensing community made the experience unforgettable.”

Hande Erkan [Baruch College – Zicklin School of Business]“Going into BLE 2026, I was most excited about the opportunity to learn, make meaningful connections, and experience the licensing industry on an international stage. It was also my first time traveling internationally on my own, which made the experience even more meaningful. I arrived eager to learn and left with new knowledge, valuable industry insights, and relationships I hope to carry with me for years to come. I went to BLE hoping to learn more about an industry, but I left feeling that I had found a community I genuinely want to grow with and contribute to.”

Maie Ikemoto [University of Maryland]
“What stood out to me most was the unexpected connections I made with my fellow scholarship recipients. We all came from different backgrounds and had different interests. However, our shared experience in the licensing industry brought us together, allowing us to exchange perspectives and learn from one another. These connections reflected the collaborative nature of the licensing community and the relationships that make the industry so special. Experiencing that firsthand made me even more excited to be part of it.”

Ashley Patterson [University of Maryland]
“One of my most memorable experiences at BLE was meeting Tanya Isler from Netflix and learning about the unexpected virality of Squid Game and KPop Demon Hunters. Hearing that their success wasn’t planned showed me that consumers can surprise even the biggest brands. The Mattel showcase was another incredible highlight, where I witnessed next-level creativity and saw how iconic brands continue to develop fresh ideas and exciting new projects.”

Alex Wang [University of Western Ontario]
“My biggest takeaway from The Scholarship Winners’ Experience at BLE was realizing that nobody truly has it all figured out, even the most experienced professionals in the licensing industry. Hearing that major companies are constantly learning and can’t always predict what will succeed was reassuring. It helped me embrace the uncertainty that comes with being early in my career and feel excited about (instead of intimidated by) everything I have yet to learn.”

Special thanks to the mentors who shared their time and expertise with our scholarship recipients at BLE 2026: Corinne Duckworth, Berit Ginsberg, Veronica Hart, Paul Hepworth, Tanya Isler, Harry Jackson, Sarah Jackson, Esther Jolley, Tyler Jubard, Chang Liu, Allison Lort, Roz Nowicki, Max Pilcher, Josh Romm, Victoria Rose, Steve Scebelo, Rebecca Tatlock, and Ben Townsend.

Learn more about the Licensing International Foundation’s Scholarship Program. Applications for the Scholarship Program close January 29, 2027.

Want to support our Scholarship Program? Join us at the annual Hall of Fame event — our annual scholarship fundraiser — on December 2, 2026, and help us empower the next generation of industry leaders. Register here.