FCA attends international franchising conference

The Franchise Council of Australia attended the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 45th Annual International Franchise Convention in Miami, Florida, the theme of which was ‘Crossing Boundaries and Building Dreams’.

The convention showcased over 200 exhibits to allow attendees “the opportunity to explore the new developments in all facets of the franchise world”, as well as build strategic alliances.

The Australian delegation, led by FCA chairman Richard Evans, was instrumental in assisting with introductions for Australian delegates and also in selling Australia as a strategic growth opportunity for the international franchising community.

“Australia is considered one of the top countries to do business with from a franchising perspective,” said Mason Sier Turnbull Lawyers’ (MST) Tony Garrisson on his return from the convention.

“Our view is that Melbourne should be a hub for doing business in Asia. There are many US companies looking to expand into Australasia, and with the growing US economy there are also opportunities for Australian businesses in the US in niche markets.”

At the convention MST principal, John Sier, hosted a roundtable session on ‘Franchising in Asia and the Pacific Rim’. Sier recommended that US-based franchisors consider establishing a “footprint” in Australia before using the base for a push into Asia.

“With telecommunications and web-based support this strategy is regarded as far more feasible these days,” he said.

Meanwhile, World Franchisors president, Tony Foley, who was instrumental in bringing Sign-A-Rama to Australia, said direct franchising is now an effective option for many US-based franchisors wishing to expand to Australia, and one of the reasons for this is because of improvements in support via technology-based intranets. Bill Edwards, another leading US franchising consultant in attendance, was also very supportive of Australia as a destination for US franchisors in his session ‘Global Edge in an Unsettled World’.

Keynote speaker was former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who addressed delegates on the subject of leadership and the important lessons he learned from the September 11 catastrophe.

Another significant event at the conference was the induction of Subway president and co-founder, Fred DeLuca, into the Franchising Hall of Fame. Subway, one of the most successful franchises worldwide, currently has 22,985 stores in 81 countries. In Australia, it has grown from opening it first store in 1988 to over 550 outlets nationally.

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