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Visitors deliver results at Sydney expo

Sarah Stowe

Exhibitors and organisers alike heaved a sigh of relief after the first day of the Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo in Sydney at the weekend.

The first franchise expo of 2019 was competing with hot sunny weather and a NSW State Election polling day. It was also less than two weeks since the report from the franchising inquiry was released.

Nevertheless, the expo drew visitors to its doors.

Expo success

Expo director Tim Collett told Inside Franchise Business “We were really pleased with how the show went. Naturally everyone was a bit nervous after the tumultuous last week in the franchising world but the response from exhibitors and visitors was almost universally positive.

“Numbers were actually up from last year and the brands are telling us that visitors were interested and asking all the right questions.

“As I said during my speech to exhibitors this challenging time will see some systems disappear while the good operators grow. Franchising remains the best way to get everyday Australians into their own business, and if the industry can effectively address these issues of transparency and fairness then there are good times ahead.”

Buyers research

One hundred brands exhibited at the show. There were brand new concepts in childcare photography, kids play sessions and TexMex fast food, as well as the well-known and familiar franchises in retail and services sectors.

One exhibitor, Kevin Lacey, national franchise manager at Snap Franchising, told Inside Franchise Business “The buyers have done their research, they are asking the right questions.

“They are asking about breakeven points, what type of business and marketing support is provided and what is the profile of the typical business customer.

“The visitors we spoke to are much more knowledgeable about the industry than at previous shows.”

Free seminars sessions were well attended.

Keynote speaker Andrew Morello, first winner of The Apprentice, and now at Yellow Brick Road, drew an enthusiastic and engaged crowd to hear about the benefits of franchising and creating a world class experience.

Upcoming Franchising & Business Opportunities Expos are Brisbane in June and Melbourne in August.