AMERICAS - MFV Expositions has hailed its recently-held International Franchise Expo (IFE) the biggest event in its 22-year history.
More than 18,500 visitors from more than 90 countries attended the franchise event, up from 14,313 in 2012. Of the total 2013 figure, there were 14,902 domestic visitors and 3,725 international visitors, said the organiser.
The show exhibited 413 companies at the Javits Center, New York on 20-22 June, up from 334 in 2012. More than 50 industries were represented, including healthcare, home improvement, retail and fitness.
The inaugural ADP National Franchise Report was released at the event, which found that franchises are an essential driver of the US economy. The report was designed to identify insight and trends within the franchise industry's impact on the US labour system.
The report found that private-sector franchise jobs increased by 19,160 during the month of May 2013, with restaurants, business services and food retailers showing the largest increases.
Approximately 150,000 jobs were added over the past twelve months through the franchising industry.
“The ADP report was the perfect start to this year’s expo as it helped solidify franchising’s position as an essential driver of small business and the US economy,” said MFV Expositions president and CEO, Tom Portsey. "This was further evidenced by the quality of attending potential franchise owners as more than 30 per cent planned to invest between US$100,000 and US$500,000 in a new franchise business.”
The next edition of IFE will return to the Javits Center on 19-21, 2014.
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