British and International Franchise Exhibition

There will be exciting new business opportunities across the globe at The British and International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia, London on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March 2007.

The exhibition is a ëmust attendí event for budding entrepreneurs looking to start and run their own franchise business ventures. As an international event, the exhibition covers not only franchises in the UK, but also from an international perspective as well.

Over 200 companies from various industry sectors will be exhibiting at the show offering franchise opportunities suitable for all kinds of investment levels and interests. Franchises present will include Coffee Republic, Cash Generators, iSoldit UK, Snappy Snaps, Threshers Group, Bairstow Eves Countrywide, Dream Doors and Thorntons Chocolates.

The British and International Franchise Exhibition also includes a unique International Pavilion featuring a range of global opportunities from companies looking to expand into the UK. There will be exciting new ideas from many countries right across the world.

Getting the most out of your visit

The exhibition will also include the Franchise Match-Making Zone, a new feature for the London event, designed specifically to help prospective franchisees. Visitors to this area will be given assistance on finding the most suitable franchise options for them, enabling them to maximise their time at the event.

By indicating their level of investment and key business sector interests, the Zone will provide visitors with a bespoke route plan around the exhibition.

Also new for the Olympia event is the Women in Franchising Zone, sponsored by SureSlim. This dedicated area within the British International Franchise Exhibition will feature leading women entrepreneurs and franchisors offering inspiration and valuable advice to those looking to start their own franchise businesses.

The exhibition is held in association with the British Franchise Association (bfa), and all exhibitors present at the exhibition are thus accredited by the bfa and adhere to the bfaís code of conduct. The event is also supported by the Daily Mail, Business Franchise magazine and Franchise World magazine and sponsored by Sherrards Solicitors.

Free thought provoking seminars

A further highlight of the exhibition is a series of free seminars run by the bfa. They include:

11:00 and 14:00 Friday and Saturday ñ ëAn introduction to franchisingí for prospective franchisees.

12.30 Friday and Saturday ñ ëHow to franchise your businessí for prospective franchisors.

The free hour long seminars offer essential franchise advice and information to aspiring business owners new to the franchising concept, addressing issues including: the benefits of franchising versus other business formats; what the franchisor looks for in a franchisee; what a franchisee should look for in a franchisor, the business plan; and finance and how to get it. The panellists are all either bfa affiliated or bfa members.

In addition there will be experts present including banks, accountants and solicitors all with an extensive experience of the franchise industry, who will be available throughout the event to provide free advice on the key legal and financial aspects of investing in franchising.

The Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference

The event also incorporates the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition, featuring companies that specialise in offering advice to SMEs and newly established businesses to help them develop and grow.

The exhibition is supported by a free conference, with seminars providing practical guidance and information on all aspects of growing a business. Speakers include leading advisors, consultants and successful entrepreneurs who will provide inspirational case studies and success stories. They include renowned inventor and motivator Trevor Baylis, marketing expert Jeremy Martin, and entrepreneurs Danny Bamping and Adam Hildreth. For further information visit www.growingyourownbusiness.co.uk

The British and International Franchise Exhibition and the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference are open from 10am each day, closing at 5pm on Friday 23 March and 4pm on Saturday 24 March.

To register for the British and International Franchise Exhibition incorporating the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference call 0870 7771082 or visit www.franinfo.co.uk. Callers can purchase tickets in advance by credit card for 8 each or 7 each for two or more. Admission on the door is 13.