Macao Franchise Expo 2014 to be held in July – Comprehensive showcase of business opportunities

The Macao Franchise Expo 2014 (2014MFE) will be held from 4 July to 6 July 2014 in Exhibition Hall "A" of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The expo aims to cultivate entrepreneurship among a new generation of aspiring businesspeople and to encourage the creation of new branded products This year's event attracts more overseas exhibitors and well-known brands to showcase a wide range of products and services. The organisers are also introducing more activities to make it easier for the general public to have a better understanding of franchise and chain businesses. By organising various activities during the expo, the organisers hope that enterprises and individuals attending the event this year have a good chance of finding ideal matches and business opportunities. Increased exhibitors and wider variety 2014MFE is jointly organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM); Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF); Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan (ACFPT); Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association (MIBA); Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association (MCFA); and Licensing and Franchising Association of Hong Kong (LFA), and supported by Chinese Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA), International Franchise Association (IFA) and Japan Franchise Association (JFA).
There are 170 exhibitors this year, an increase of 5.9% compared to last year, coming from Mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland and Vietnam, representing more than 100 franchisors, chain operators and brand agencies. Among them, there are groups of exhibitors organized by different franchise associations and organizations from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Portugal and Singapore. MFE is committed to promoting and establishing a business platform to welcome exhibitors from diverse industries and world-renowned brands that are looking for business partners in Macao, which facilitates trade and exchanges between local, Mainland China and Southeast Asian markets.
Apart from general industries, such as food and beverage, retail, education, leisure and entertainment, finance, real estate and professional consultancy services, the show is also hosting exhibitors from emerging industries such as pet beauty, animation-style interior design, hairdressing, and photography. One of the highlights this year is the Fujian Street, where exhibitors from the Fujian province will display their products. The Macao Ideas will also set up a booth showcasing Made-in-Macao products, as well as promoting the city's cultural and creative industries. A total of about 30 trade promotion associations, industrial and commercial associations, youth entrepreneur associations and other business organisations are organizing more than 500 professional visitors to Macao to attend the 2014MFE. Large companies and hotel and entertainment agencies are also represented. It is believed exhibitors, professional visitors and visitors will have a good change of finding a suitable partner or business deal at 2014MFE. Some exhibiting brands will also offer various incentive packages during the expo. Well-known and international brands The 2014MFE is in its sixth year and continues to promote local brands on the international stage as well as attracting greater numbers of well-known and international brands to invest in Macao. The annual event has become a regional brand trade cooperation platform. In the past few years, participants successfully found their ideal partner through the MFE. Among them, several overseas brands have also found suitable franchisees in Macao. MFE continues to play a role in the region as a franchise platform. With more activities organised during 2014MFE, it expects to improve the experience of exhibitors and visitors, enhancing the opportunities for successful business deals. Entrepreneurs may also look for the right opportunities at the MFE to expand their companies' brands and shape their direction, development and potential. As a regional franchise and brand exhibition MFE continues to attract local and overseas brands. This year they include YuLoong Taiwan (dumplings eatery), Waffle Waffle, Chongqing Cygent (hotpot restaurant), brunch specialist Caffé Italiano, Beijing's Hanor Weiye Leather Cleaning Maintenance Service, Chongsan Metro-Mall, New Zealand Esquires Coffee Houses, and Latvian Attirance natural cosmetics.
As a trade and business platform for Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries, MFE also attracts the participation from franchisors of Portugal and Brazil. A Portuguese brand agency will introduce various brands to this year's event. Brazil's São Paulo Football Club, the 2012 Copa Total Sudamericana champion, is already franchised in Macau and has established in the city its first football school in Asia. With a wider variety of exhibitor brands and industries, the MFE will again create exceptional opportunities to invest in quality franchises. Multiple services and comprehensive support The expo has also received support from local and overseas organisations. During the three-day event, the organisers will promote several initiatives to support business matching and potential deals. There will be a "one-stop service" to assist investors with financing, trade and legal advice. Experts inside the Brand Re-packaging Pavilion will provide advice to business beginners and small- and medium-sized enterprises to leverage their brand image. The organiser has invited representatives from Mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan, as well as local counterparts to share insights and provide tailor-made opinions to enterprises for business planning, retail channels, product packaging and strategies for development. The MFE has become an effective platform for enterprises from various countries and regions to explore and take advantage of chain and franchising opportunities. The theme of the expo this year will be starting a business through franchising, especially for youth entrepreneurs. The organisers have cooperated with various organisations, including the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Macao to hold seminars for business start-ups. Franchise experts will deliver talks to the public, providing legal and financial counselling, as well as explaining business promotion techniques and market trends, in order to help businesspeople better prepare a potential venture. The 2014MFE has also invited entrepreneurs and the youth television programme "I Am Boss," to share the pains and joys of entrepreneurship and of the entrepreneurial process Exploring future prospects and joining the market In previous editions of MFEs, overseas exhibitors and attendees expressed the interest to gain more market information and explore the Macao and South China consumer markets. This year there will be a site-visit programme to these markets. On 7 July after the close of the show, there will be multi-site tour for MFE exhibitors and participants, including districts and cities like Hengqin Island and Zhongshan. It is hoped such site-visit would strengthen the awareness about the different consumer markets and entice delegates' interest in investing in Macao and southern China markets, hence enhances MFE's role as a platform promoting franchise development in the regional market. Several concurrent events will also be held during the three-day event, which include: a reception on 4 July to mark the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association; the Franchise Awards ceremony hosted by the Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association; and on 5 July the seminar "Change Packaging to Enhance the Value of Goods". Convenient shuttle services for the public As in previous MFEs, there will be a Food and Beverages Tasting Zone, as well as a multifunctional area allowing organisers and exhibitors to promote and demonstrate their products. In response to requests from younger businesspeople and small- and medium-sized enterprises, the opening hours of the first two days of the MFE will be extended to 8:00 pm. The first day, 4 July, will be open to business professionals only. On 5 and 6 July, the event will be open to the public. Business representatives and the general public are all welcome to visit the expo. For the public's convenience, two shuttle bus service routes will be available free of charge on Saturday and Sunday with shuttle buses between urban areas and the MFE venue departing every half an hour. Parking at the MFE venue will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
For any enquiries, please contact the secretariat of 2014MFE, on (853) 8798 9675, or via email: sec@mfe.mo or visit the MFE official website: www.mfe.mo.