5 Reasons to Attend the 2020 National Franchise Exhibition
Alice Tuffery, writer
Published at 20/09/2019, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min
The 2020 National Franchise Exhibition takes place on 13th and 14th March and offers those interested in the franchise world the chance to learn more and network with industry professionals. Keep reading to find out why you should get yourself down to the NEC Birmingham for this year’s franchise exhibition.
Whether you’re a seasoned franchisee looking for your next venture, a business owner hoping to expand or an interested entrepreneur, the National Franchise Exhibition is a great source of information. At this year’s event, you’ll be able to gather essential facts and figures, network with industry experts and, hopefully, leave inspired to kick-start your franchise journey.
Here are our five top reasons you should make the trip to the NEC Birmingham and get involved in the National Franchise Exhibition 2020:
- There is a huge range of franchise brands
You’ll have the opportunity to meet more than 100 different franchise brands, from small, relatively new business networks to huge corporations. You’ll be able to find out more about franchises from a range of industries, including food and drink, fitness, healthcare and property. Whether you’re interested in low-cost and home-based businesses, or companies with a significant high street presence, you’ll find the franchisors who reflect your own ambitions.
>> Read more:
- A Guide to UK Franchise Shows and Exhibitions for 2019 – 2020
- 2019 Franchise Shows and Exhibitions
- Franchise exhibitions - 5 reasons to go
- Everything You Need to Know About The 2018 National Franchise Exhibition
- The Best Food Exhibitions in the UK in 2019
Meeting with potential franchisors and franchisees in person can be helpful when it comes to deciding whether you want to join a business. At the exhibition, you'll meet the faces behind the brands, spend time with the franchisors who launched the business and the franchisees who can tell you about their day-to-day operations.
This process is invaluable, helping you gain a much deeper understanding of franchise businesses than you would if you just browsed their websites. A franchise may appear perfect on paper, but if you don't think you'd get on with the franchisor, or feel your personalities would clash, you have a chance to walk away before you invest in the business.
- It only welcomes ethical franchises
You’ll only see genuine business format franchises at the National Franchise Exhibition because the event is exclusively supported by the British Franchise Association (BFA). This is the UK franchise industry’s self-regulatory body and it accredits franchise brands with ethical operational standards.
As a result, every single franchise exhibiting at the event is approved by the BFA. So, you can rest assured you won’t be disappointed by the low ethical standards of any of the brands you meet at the National Franchise Exhibition.
- There are lots of informative talks and seminars
The aim of the National Franchise Exhibition is to help attendees make an informed decision when it comes to investing in a business. That’s why it runs a number of free presentations and workshops throughout the event days. In total, the franchise exhibition hosts more than 35 talks, all led by franchisors, industry experts and BFA representatives.
These helpful sessions cover a range of different topics, including:
- Essential tips for franchising your business
- Business planning made simple
- Business bartering 101
- What Brexit means for the home care sector
- Choosing a franchise that will pay you a passive income from property
- BFA real franchise stories
In addition to these organised talks, ticket-holders also have the opportunity to seek individual advice from high-street banks, franchise lawyers, consultants, finance providers, BFA representatives and more! Remember, the National Franchise Exhibition is all about giving professional advice, so don’t be afraid to ask questions; this is the best way to find out what franchising can offer.
You’ll even be able to pick up information booklets and supplementary material to gain a deeper understanding of the franchise process and decide which franchise opportunities are right for you.
- You can plan your visit ahead of time
If you want to get the most out of your trip to the National Franchise Exhibition, you should take the time to plan your visit ahead of time. The event organisers understand this, and have released all the information you need to map out your day in advance.
The franchise exhibition opens its doors at 10am and runs until 4pm on both Friday 13th and Saturday 14th March. This means you'll have plenty of time to swot up on the latest franchising opportunities and industry news.
Conveniently located in the middle of the UK, the event takes place at the NEC Birmingham, less than a 23-minute walk from both Birmingham International Station and Birmingham Airport. If you’re driving, you’ll be able to use one of the venue’s 16,000 parking spaces, which you can book before your visit.
With so many different stalls and sessions at the franchise exhibition, it’s a good idea to work out which ones you definitely want to visit. It’s easy to get distracted on the day and run out of time to learn more about the businesses and topics you would have prioritised. Have a look at the event preview to see the sessions being held and plan your trip.
>> Read more:
- Franchising 101: 7 Steps to Take After Attending a Franchise Show
- When to consider starting your own business
- Basic guide to franchising
- Conquer your fears and start a franchise
- Reasons not to start a franchise
- It’s free!
If you needed any other reason to come along to the National Franchise Exhibition – it’s worth knowing it’ll cost you nothing! Joining a franchise and starting your own business requires making a significant investment, but the good news is: attending this franchise exhibition won’t cost you a penny if you book in advance. You can reserve up to six free tickets, so bring along your family and friends if you like!
Boost your knowledge
There are franchising events happening across the world throughout 2020. To find out more about events near to you and why you should consider attending them, take a look at our other articles below:
Alice Tuffery, writer