Finding your perfect franchise can be as easy as attending a franchise show. All types of people attend franchise trade shows and exhibitions, from prospective franchisees to those looking to expand their portfolio to franchise industry veterans to franchise directors. Franchise shows have a lot of information to offer and allow prospective franchisees to explore franchise opportunities in depth.
What is a Franchise Show?
A franchise show is a national, regional or local exhibition of franchise brands, consultancy firms, and other industry professionals. Representatives from nearly every sector set up booths and displays for attendees to stop at and learn more about their opportunity or services.
Franchise shows and exhibitions give prospective franchise owners the opportunity to gather an abundance of information on various franchise opportunities, speak to franchise recruiters, and compare franchise opportunities to determine which may be right for them.
Franchise Show Benefits
Franchise shows are a wealth of information on the franchise industry. Attendees of franchise shows benefit from the many educational opportunities afforded them.
Contact with franchisors
Franchise trade shows and exhibitions may be a prospective franchise owner’s first contact with the franchisor. Here, prospective franchisees have a wonderful opportunity to meet face-to-face with franchise representatives and ask any pertinent questions before taking the relationship further. This is an important step in the franchise process.
Because this step is so important, talking one-on-one with a franchisor can be intimidating. Franchise shows can help reduce the stress of this situation because many shows are designed around making that one-on-one contact easier, more conversational and in a lighter atmosphere.
Franchise seminars
Most shows include educational seminars throughout the event. Prospective buyers can take a break from the meet-and-great with franchisors to attend seminars hosted by event organisers and exhibitioners covering topics such as the application process, researching franchise opportunities, assessing the franchisor, funding a franchise, and running a franchise. Because seminar topics can be so diverse, and depending on the type of show you are attending, participating in a seminar can be beneficial to current franchise owners as well as new and prospective franchisees.
Franchise developments
Franchise industry experts come to these events in order to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in franchising. Often, franchise brands will debut new technologies and business model enhancements. Industry experts may often divulge research and trends for the future of franchising. Franchise shows are an excellent opportunity to see who keeping their franchise system ahead of the game and what is new in the world of franchising.
Popular Franchise Shows
- The Franchise Expo: The Franchise Expo is a two-day show that allows prospective franchise owners to meet with franchise representatives. Shows also include seminars about starting and growing your business. These events take place across North America, including major Canadian cities.
- IFA Events: The International Franchise Association (IFA) hosts many events throughout the year, including legal symposiums, development seminars, and the association’s popular annual convention that hosts more than 250 franchise executives and partner exhibitors and 50 educational sessions.
- The FranchiseCanada Show: The FranchiseCanada Show is produced by the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). This two-day event allows prospective franchisees to explore 100+ franchise opportunities of all investment levels, with an exclusive showcase of CFA members.
To find a franchise event near you, please visit our franchise shows calendar.