|
|
06/14/2006
|
Favourable results at Expofranquicia 2006
The fair welcomed nearly 17,000 visitors
The results of the twelfth edition of the Franchising Trade Fair, EXPOFRANQUICIA 2006, which took place between 30th March and 1st April last at Feria de Madrid, were favourable, in view of the participation figures that were achieved. In effect, the fair brought together some 191 direct exhibitors (a 14.37% increase compared to the year 2005) and 300 franchises (an increase of 12%) within a net exhibition area measuring 6,500 square metres (an increase of 20%). The total number of visitors to the event came to 16,733. The analysis undertaken by IFEMA, the body that organizes the trade fair, indicates that the event not only achieved some excellent results in terms of business and investment, but generated a general climate of satisfaction, based on the quality of the exhibition, the stature of the participants and the business opportunities available at the fair.
This much was revealed by the opinions canvassed throughout the course of EXPOFRANQUICIA, with the majority of participants rating the fair highly, in its capacity as one of the best points of reference for the franchising industry and a leading forum for business. Furthermore, the majority of participants stated that they would participate at the next edition of the fair in 2007, based on the profitable nature of their participation.
In relation to one of the aspects of the fair that was most strongly promoted at this edition, namely its projection abroad, EXPOFRANQUICIA 2006 featured the attendance of franchises from France, Holland, Italy and Portugal. The event also welcomed visitors from some 26 different countries, the largest groups, in order of importance, coming from Portugal, Venezuela, France, Morocco, Italy and Mexico.
With regard to the visitors who attended this edition, according to place of origin, the fair attracted professionals from all over Spain, especially from Madrid, followed by professionals from Andalusia, Castile-Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Valencia and Catalonia. In relation to the investment sectors present at the trade fair, the statistics reflect the following breakdown, based on order of importance: Consulting firms, Travel Agencies, Decoration, Financial Services, Food, Cosmetics/Beauty, Hotels/Catering, Photography, Information Technologies, Other Services, Fashion, Jewellery/Fashion Jewellery, Leisure/Education, Real Estate, Printing, Stationery/Office Material, Drugstores, Car Services and Dry Cleaning.
A Strong Industry
The support provided by the two most important trade associations within the industry, AEDEF, the Spanish Association for the Development and Defense of Franchised Companies, which has backed the fair from the very beginning, and the Spanish Association of Franchisers, AEF, which has collaborated with the event over the last two years, contributed in large part to the commercial success of EXPOFRANQUICIA 2006.
These two associations are the most important representatives of an economic sector that has witnessed considerable growth in recent years. This boom is reflected in the figures presented by the Annual Report on the Current State of Franchising in Spain, a publication produced by the specialized consultants, Mundo Franquicia. According to this Annual Report, in 2005 Spain had some 893 franchises, which represents an increase of 7.3% compared to the year 2004. The overall turnover figure is estimated at 17,622 million euros, which represents an increase of 22.2% compared to the year 2004. As far as employment is concerned, in 2005 franchising provided jobs to nearly 193,000 people in Spain, which represents an increase of 11.5%. Throughout the year 2005, the average number of jobs per franchise came to 216, which is equivalent to 3.53 jobs per business unit.
Specialized Conferences
EXPOFRANQUICIA also served as an ideal means of analyzing the current state of the industry through its Specialized Conference Programme, which was organised in collaboration with the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Madrid and Mundo Franquicia Consulting. On this occasion, the Programme was based on the general theme of "How to Succeed by Investing in Franchising". These Technical Conferences were introduced by Carmen Cárdeno, General Director of Trade for the Madrid Region and José Pedro Orío, Chairman of the SMEs, Self-employed and Franchise Commission of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Madrid.
EXPOFRANQUICIA 2006 has also organized its Franchise Forum, an area for discussion and reflection regarding the franchising system, its characteristics and its leading players. On this occasion, at stated in its heading "Franchising from the Perspective of..." it aimed to offer the trade fair's visitors an idea of the view that different groups involved in the system possess regarding an industry that has witnessed extremely rapid growth in Spain in recent years.
The excellent results achieved by EXPOFRANQUICIA 2006 provide the best reason for IFEMA to begin preparing for the next edition of the Franchising Trade Fair - the thirteenth edition - which will take place between 26th and 28th April 2007 at the Feria de Madrid fairground.
|
« Back
(Source: Ifema)
|
