Paramus, N.J. – June 25, 2012 – With a move to New York City, increasing awareness of franchising as a lucrative avenue to business ownership, and an improving economy, the 2012 debut of the International Franchise Expo in New York was nothing short of astonishing, according to show organizers. Smashing previous records on both fronts, 334 exhibitors showcased their concepts and products to an estimated three day attendance of 14,313 visitors. Held from June 15-17 at the Javits Center in Manhattan, the nation’s largest franchise event landed in the center of the business world for three days of lead generation, education and networking.
This year’s IFE hosted more than 100 first time exhibitors attracted by a change in location after 20 years in Washington, D.C. and spurred by the desire to expand in the New York metropolitan area. Many veteran IFE franchisors claimed they saw more foot traffic by noon on the first day than they did over the course of the entire weekend during last year’s event.
“The IFE was a huge success for us this year,” said John Twist, Vice President of franchise and business development for Batteries Plus. “We were able to connect with multiple candidates who own cell phone stores, hardware stores and restaurants all looking for the next lucrative opportunity to invest in. For most people, the show was their first exposure to our brand and concept, and the reception was extremely positive. We walked away with some solid leads that will most definitely translate into sales.”
Media interest in the show was at an all-time high too, as word about the IFE’s significance spread in the weeks and days leading up to the show. Attendance and coverage included: Fox Business Network, Business News Daily, CNBC.com, CNNMoney.com, Entrepreneur.com, FoxBusiness.com, New York Daily News, The Street, Wall Street Journal, WCBS-TV, and WPIX-TV. MFV Expositions, the show’s producers, ramped up their marketing efforts with street teams, billboards, street banners and media buys with publications like Money, TIME and Fortune to increase awareness of the new and improved IFE.
“Initially, we were concerned about the 2012 IFE – we had set our goals and expectations rather high,” said Tom Portesy, President and CEO of MFV Expositions. “A few weeks prior to the expo, our confidence soared – the reaction to the IFE coming to New York City was everything we hoped for and then some. In our twenty five years of producing franchise events, regardless of success, this is the first expo where every single exhibitor was delighted with the results. It was an extraordinary weekend for franchising, the International Franchise Association and MFV Expositions.”
For more information about the International Franchise Expo and to find out more for next year’s show, please visit www.ifeinfo.com.
About MFV Expositions
For over 20 years, MFV Expositions has been producing the leading
franchise events worldwide that consistently bring together
franchise concepts, at all investment levels, with the most
qualified visitors seeking to own their own business. In addition
to quality franchise expos in the United States and overseas that
offer face-to-face opportunities to grow your franchise, MFV also
offers access to online franchise opportunities through web-based
resources, lead management tools and solutions for generating
sales.
