Franchise.com will be among the exhibitors at the 20th annual International Franchise Expo (IFE), being held on April 1 – April 3, 2011, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the International Franchise Association (IFA), and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the IFE is the franchise industry’s premier annual event. The three-day conference showcases hundreds of franchise concepts and franchise-related companies and draws attendees from throughout the world.
With the economy and the credit market improving, organizers of this year’s IFE are expecting record turnout from both exhibitors and franchisee candidates. Significant growth is anticipated throughout the franchising industry. According to a recent study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, on behalf of the International Franchise Association, the number of new franchise units industry-wide is projected to grow 2.5 percent in 2011 (as compared to an increase of 0.3 percent from 2009 to 2010).
The IFE is the most comprehensive conference program offered on franchising. For the past 20 years, the IFE has been providing franchise-related companies, suppliers, industry publications, franchisors, franchisees and prospective franchisees, with the rare opportunity to meet face-to-face with one another.
The IFE highlights franchising companies from an array of industries and all investment levels. At the IFE, prospective franchisees have the chance to speak with franchisors exhibiting at the show, learn more about the leading concepts, and gain access to resources and information regarding business ownership and franchising.
For franchisors, exhibiting at the IFE is a vital lead generation tool that can facilitate the sales process. Having a presence at the IFE enables franchisors to connect with franchisee candidates who are diligently pursuing franchise ownership and are often further along in the sales process.
Throughout the past two decades, tens of thousands of prospective investors from across the country and overseas have attended the IFE, and the event continues to attract a vast audience. The IFE is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and promoted worldwide as part of their International Buyers Program. More than 150 U.S. Embassies through their Foreign Commercial Service Offices actively promote the IFE within their regions and bring official escorted delegations from all around the world to the Nation’s capital for the franchising industry’s premier event.
With over 40 educational sessions aimed at the various audiences in attendance, as well as numerous networking opportunities, the IFE continues to be the franchising industry’s premier, ‘must-attend’ event of the year.
Whether you’re a current Franchise.com client, or you’re interested in learning more about how Franchise.com can help you accomplish your franchising development goals, come meet the Franchise.com sales team, at Booth # 366 at the IFE.
