Franchise China brings business opportunities to mainland entrepreneurs (3/01)

With nearly 80 exhibitors joining its three-city tour last November 6-14, the Franchise China Conference & Exhibition (Franchise China) finished its third consecutive year of helping Franchising grow in mainland China.

More than 12,000 investors turned out for the exhibition to learn about Franchise Opportunities with Shakey's Pizza, Century 21, Informatics, Roto-Rooter, Ramada International Hotels and Resorts, Tupperware, English First and other internationally recognized companies. Nearly 90% o visitors surveyed at franchise China were interested in investing in a franchise that exhibited at the event.

Exhibitors praised the effectiveness of Franchise China in giving them access to qualified prospective franchisees. Michael Higgins, Director of Franchise Development for Roto-Rooter Corporation said, "Actually I am very impressed . every day [we were] very busy and we have talked to a number of very qualified candidates."

Subway Sandwiches and Salads' Development Agent Jim Bryant, a three-year exhibitor at Franchise China said, "[The show] gets better and better every year. It's the best way I can think of to find franchisees."

Franchise China's annual event attracts top business leaders and entrepreneurs from around China - over 40% o visitors to the 2000 event were general managers or senior executives. More than 70% o visitors planned to invest in a new business within one year and nearly half were ready to invest US$12,000-US$60,000 in a franchise. 29% wre willing to commit at least US$60,000 to a new business venture.

Equally impressed with the event were executives from the International Franchise Association (IFA), visiting Franchise China for the second year. "We think Global Sources and the CCFA (co-organizer China Chain-store and Franchise Association) have done a great job putting together the show. It's a terrific crowd," said Matt Shay, IFA Senior Vice President & Chief Counsel. The association's visiting delegation also included IFA chair JoAnne Shaw, who was keynote speaker for the show's opening ceremony.

Potential Chinese franchisees also flocked to the event's educational conference program and Franchise Opportunity Seminars given by select exhibitors. At the conference, almost a thousand delegates learned about choosing franchise partners, franchising fundamentals, the role of franchising in China's economic development, intellectual property protection, and information technology solutions for franchises.

Franchise China is organized by eMedia Asia Ltd., a joint venture between Global Sources Ltd. and CMP Media Inc. Thanks to its strong following among exhibitors and visitors, Franchise China has solidified its position as China's leading international franchising show. Next year's event is expected to grow even larger, as more Franchises take advantage of the opportunities offered by China's increasingly open marketplace. The Franchise China 2001 Conference & Exhibition is scheduled for Nov. 5-13, 2001 in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Global Sources is the leading neutral B2B market maker for volume buyers and suppliers in retail/international merchandise trade. Global Sources has been operating for over 29 years and is represented in more than 40 locations. In Mainland China, Global Sources has operated for more than 15 years. Global Sources has developed one of the world's most comprehensive databases of export products and suppliers (www.globalsources.com). The Global Sources network also includes 6 technical websites and magazines with a focus on Asia and China and produces five annual technology industry events that together serve a community of more than 150,000 technology decision-makers.