In just a little over a month, the leading figures of the global franchising community will converge in Manila as the Philippines hosts the much-awaited Franchise Asia 2011, Asia’s biggest and most important four-in-one event happening on September 19-25 at the SMX Convention Center.

Organized by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and co-presented by PLDT  SME Nation and PLDT Alpha Enterprise, Franchise Asia 2011 is headlined by the twin meetings of the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) and the World Franchise Council (WFC) which will be attended by heads of national franchise associations from 43 member countries of the two world umbrella organizations.

Franchise Asia 2011 Chair Bing Sibal-Limjoco said that the honor of staging this prestigious international event was given to thePhilippinesafter PFA won the bid to host the high-level meetings of the APFC and WFC in Malaysiain 2008.

“This is truly a proud moment for the country, as Franchise Asia 2011 brings an excellent opportunity to market the Philippines as an investment and tourism destination,” Limjoco said.

Bannered under the theme “Asia to the World ● The World to Asia”, the event’s primary goal is to provide the platform to showcase to the world the best Philippine franchise brands and concepts, as well as provide a gateway for international brands to enter the 650 million ASEAN market through the Philippines, thus affirming the country’s position as the “Franchise Hub of Asia.”

WFC Chairman Samie Lim underscored the importance of the Manila-gathering of the international franchise community.  “These meetings will further international cooperation among global franchise players thus strengthening the joint statement of the WFC member-countries that franchising would continue to fuel the economic activity of developed and newly-industrialized countries.”

Aside from the APFC/WFC meetings, Franchise Asia 2011 will also feature the International Franchise Conference (September 22-23), the International Franchise Expo (September 23-25), and Educational Sessions and Seminars (September 24-25).

The two-day Conference, which will feature high-caliber speakers and experts with presentations on franchising updates and opportunities across the globe offers four components thus serving as the ideal learning venue to the participants.   These are: case presentations of industry leaders on “The Making of Successful Brands” to be led by Tony Tan Caktiong (Jollibee), Jeff Welch (Krispy Kreme), Chris Tanco (7-Eleven), and Edgar “Injap” Sia II (Mang Inasal); business leaders’ fora on the “Challenges and Opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, developed economies, and the emerging and growth regions; panel of experts on issues affecting the growth and development of the franchising sector such as “Sustaining the Triple Bottomline” and  “The Use of Social Media for enhanced Profitability”; and, concurrent  breakout  sessions,  which  will  present  a  variety  of  relevant  and  stimulating franchise tracks for new and emerging franchises, established franchises and mature franchises.

Meanwhile, the international franchise expo is a one-stop shop for the best business opportunities ranging from established and successful brands to new and promising franchise concepts – in food, retail and service – both homegrown and international. With almost 10,000 square meters in exhibit area, the three-day Expo will showcase around 500 booth spaces to world-class exhibitors.  A showcase of country pavilions from the U.S., Europe and Asian countries will complement other exciting features of the Expo such as the best of the Philippine franchise brands and concepts; international franchise brands and concepts; emerging concepts, incubation and winning business ideas from the academe; and, suppliers and allied services.

The Expo also provides another learning venue through the franchise seminars for would-be franchisors, franchisees and international master franchisees.  These seminars will be conducted to serve as a forum for business matching between franchisors and franchisees – “International Franchise Opportuniy” for local investors who want to be a master franchisee, an area developer or a partner of a foreign brand on September 24; “How to Franchise your Business” for micro, small or medium enterprise owners who want to expand their business through franchising on September 24 and 25; and, “Investing in a Franchise Wisely” for would-be franchisees on September 24 and September 25.

To cap the Franchise Asia 2011, is the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program on September 26 and 27.  The CFE Program is a mini-MBA professional development program designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of franchise professionals. As the first to be accredited by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE) to offer the program outside theUS, PFA has already produced 38 Filipino CFE graduates, and currently has over 50 enrollees from the country and nearby Asian neighbors, further boosting thePhilippines’ esteemed professional standing in the international franchise community.

Franchise Asia 2011 is supported by the following HP Philippines, BPI Family Bank; PNB; Caltex-Chevron Phils.; 7-Eleven; Max’s Restaurant; Max’s Corner Bakery; Krispy Kreme Doughnuts; Bodega Site; Hungry Juan; Monterey Meatshop; Magnolia Chicken Station; Quali Plus International; Goldilocks; Seaoil: Aquabest; Puregold; HBC; Francorp Philippines; The Generics Pharmacy; Jollibee; McDonald’s Philippines; Wendy’s; PR Gaz Haus; Mister Donut; Pepsi; Crystal Clear; Coca-Cola; Bibingkinitan; Unilever-Selecta; Manels; BDO; Mineski; Corporate Pisanti; SM Supermalls; Robinsons Malls; Araneta Center; Shangri-la Plaza; Walter Mart; Tri Noma; Philippine Daily Inquirer; The Philippine Star; Manila Bulletin; Business World; Business Mirror; Entrepreneur Philippines; Inquirer.net; RMN DZXL 558; Oxford Business Group; Mindgate Systems Inc. AM Cleofe Prints; Manila Hotel; Microtel; Century Park Hotel; and Diamond Hotel.

 

To know more about the event, visit www.franchiseasia.com.ph or www.pfa.org.ph and register on-line for special admission rates. Other details can be obtained from the PFA Secretariat at tel. nos. (02) 687-0365 to 67; (02) 798-2543; 0917-8320731, or e-mail pfa@pfa.org.ph. For more information on the Expo, call the exhibit management team Global Link MP Events at (02) 750-8588; 0917-8320732 or e-mail franchise@globallinkmp.com.