Franchisor Supplier Showcase Date Confirmed

The date and venue for this year’s Franchisor Supplier Showcase has been confirmed as Tuesday 30th October at the new Wembley Stadium.

The event, organised by Howarth Franchising, brings together an invited audience of decision-making executives from franchisor organisations and a similarly invited group of presenters and exhibitors who can introduce products and services aimed at improving the businesses of franchisors and their franchisees.

Now in its fourth year, previous events have all been over-subscribed and have been held at venues such as the BMW/WilliamsF1 conference centre and the National Space Centre. Every supplier does a short presentation to the assembled group, then exhibits in the refreshment area to meet delegates during the breaks. There is plenty of time for networking between franchisors, and at the end of the day a private tour of the venue is available for everybody.

As Brian Duckett, managing director of Howarth Franchising, explained, “ The Showcase came about as there was no other sensible forum for bfa affiliates and other suppliers to present the benefits of their products to a group of franchisors. Franchisors don’t like being sold to at Third Wednesday Club meetings or bfa Regional Forums, supplier sections don’t tend to work at franchise exhibitions anywhere in the world, and the exhibitor section at bfa conferences has never really got off the ground. Franchisors have other priorities at all those events - but they know that coming to the Showcase is solely about being introduced to potential suppliers who can help them market their franchise and manage their franchisees.

After all the publicity surrounding its development, the new Wembley Stadium will be top of many people’s lists as a must-see venue - but don’t bother bringing your kit as we cannot have use of the pitch!”.

Previous exhibitors have covered a wide range of business products and services including franchise marketing media, franchisee recruitment services, accounting and franchise management software or outsourced systems, and group printing and regulation compliance services.

Duckett added, “ Suppliers can of course include franchisors whose franchisees should be providing their services to other franchisees. One of the things I would definitely like to encourage, and not just at the Showcase, is much more trade between franchisees of different networks - keeping the money in the franchising family if you like”.