What happened at
The British Franchise Exhibition 2011?

10 & 11 June 2011 Manchester Central

The feedback received from the businesses exhibiting at The British Franchise Exhibition at Manchester Central on 10 & 11 June 2011 has been fantastic.

Thank you for everyone who participated and made it such a fantastic event... but don't just take my word for it - here are some more testimonials from our exhibitors...

More exhibitior testimonials

"We have had good quality leads and it has been a successful event for us.  There have been just as many people around the stand today as yesterday.  More than ever we are enjoying people visiting our stand with prior knowledge of franchising and research on our model."
Berkeley Harris, Director, National Franchise Team, WPA

"We have had some strong leads and people seemed interested and open-minded about our franchise, considering our company is not well known. This show is a valuable platform to spread the word and grow awareness of our company."
Rebecca Foulds, Sales Manager, Roomzzz Aparthotel UK

 "It is our first time at the show and it has been great. There was a steady flow of visitors and we had about twenty prospective customers yesterday and today. We will follow-up to progress opportunities."
Darren Pomfret, Development Manager, PVC Wizard

"The show has been brilliant!  It has worked out much better than we expected. Visitors had found us on the website and come prepared with information on our new company."
Kim Dixon, Administrator, Dig It Projects

"The show has been fantastic! The size of the show worked well as we feel we've been able to see most visitors. We have been impressed with the number of leads we have gained so far. We have already booked for
The National Franchise Exhibition in September."
Michael Wilson, National Franchise Sales Manager, Chemex

"We have met many visitors who have done their homework.  We expect to meet our objective of two to three franchisees per show."
Trevor White, Head of Franchisee Support, Daily Poppins

"The quality of visitors has been very good.  The quantity of visitors was higher than last year and we have been pleasantly surprised.  The majority of visitors had found out about our company in advance and were prepared when they met with us.  We have 12 leads that we will take through to the next stage."
Edward Brewer, Business Development Director, Auditel

"It has been a successful two days. Visitors were high in quantity and quality and came from different backgrounds. Many had done their homework and many were already working within the care industry. We have received good feedback: three people returned to our stand from yesterday and we have follow up meetings arranged."
Annetta Doyle, Franchise Recruitment Manager, Bluebird Care

"Fantastic - we have been rushed off our feet! We have been very busy and now have more than 200 leads. Many visitors have done prior research and some even have prior experience in the courier industry."
Mark Currie, General Manager, Fastway Global

"The show has been very good. We have met some interesting people who have come here especially to see us. People need to understand the technology behind our company and we found that visitors had done their research and understood the sector. This is a good sign, as it is often difficult to explain British Eco. Many visitors were not just local but from across the UK."
Tony O'Connor, Managing Director, British Eco

"We have had a good number of leads both days. Today has gone very quickly for us, which is a good sign!"
Sean Cleveland, sales director of Snack in a Box

"This is our first time at the show in Manchester and it's been great! The quality of the show has been above par. People actually know what they are looking for and are asking the right questions. We have approximately 160 leads to follow-up with."
Steve Welsh, Director of Kare Plus

"The show has been fantastic and we have met some really nice people.  We welcomed a huge amount of families at the Activity Centre, and many used it as a base for exploring the rest of the show and turning their visit into a real family day out. Many people have come prepared, having looked at the website and marketing activity. The result was a increase in footfall from our target market."
Sarah Cresswell, Founder, The Creation Station

"This is our first time at the show and the quality of the visitors has been good. We have generated a good number of leads, had visitors from varied locations. We did the show in order to target people in the Manchester area but found we also talked to people from throughout the UK which is a bonus!"
Laura Cottee, Territory Services Manager, Riverford Organic

Visitor testimonials

“Everyone is professional and friendly. We were particularly interested in McDonald’s and were impressed by their open days and franchisee presentations.  We are looking for a business to invest in and went to two seminars.”
Emma and Duncan Metcalf, recently unemployed, Blackburn

“This is the first show I have been to and it has been very useful. I had identified particular franchise businesses that I wanted to focus on, including McDonalds and Totally Clean Solutions. But having looked around the show, I have now broadened my horizons. I went to some seminars including the “Introduction to Franchising.” I thought the McDonalds Open Days were excellent and focused. I will be returning tomorrow with my wife to meet with Dublcheck.”
Paul Siner, police officer, from Liverpool (soon to retire form the force)

“I have seen three exhibitors so far at this show and they were informative and relaxed without the “hard sell.” I will be going to some seminars today including ‘Executives in Franchising.’”
Mrs. A. Bates, retail industry, Sale (Manchester)

“Today I am visiting with my family and am open to meeting all the exhibitors here. I have already visited The Creation Station which were helpful, and relevant - since I have a family - and gave me all the information I needed. I will be back to the show tomorrow.”
Simon Morris, media industry executive, London

“My visit to the show today has been going well and I am interested in a few different franchising sectors including vending business, courier and debt management. I intend to follow up the contacts I made today and look at the financial figures before progressing. I have not yet visited any seminars today, but I did my research before the show and spoke to some of the exhibitors before visiting today.”
Andrew Poton, currently between jobs, Bournemouth

“I am visiting the show from Kuwait where I am hoping to turn my business into a franchise. Having met with many of the exhibitors, I am especially interested in skin treatments and the exhibitor 7 Camicie. I attended the seminar ‘Franchising your business.’”
Mohamed Alimosawy, catering, Kuwait

“We want to start a new business and this show has helped us gather information and hone down our focus. We will return tomorrow to attend more seminars. We have found the seminars very useful and there is plenty of free advice available at the show such as the bfa and the banks. The show has provided us with good ideas of where to look next and areas for further research.”
Jane and David Allen, self-employed, Leek

“I am not sure what I am after, but came to the show to see what is out there. I would like to focus on the automotive industry. The exhibitors I spoke with were helpful and provided the information required.”
Kenneth Henderson, self-employed, Dumfriesshire (Scotland)

“I came here to look for ideas for a franchise to invest in. I am not sure what business to invest in, but I am here to look for ideas. I spoke to Dublcheck who advised me and gave me the information I needed.”
Kuldip Singh, doctor, Solihull

“I came to the show looking for a franchise to invest in.  Though I have not been to any seminars yet, I spoke to Water Cooler World who I found informative and helpful. I am likely to follow-up with them.”
Mr K. Ahmed, estate agent, Oldham

“I am looking to invest in a franchise and am looking especially at food and restaurant opportunities at this show. I am planning to attend the McDonald’s Open Days which should be useful. I have been to one seminar by the bfa which was valuable as the speaker gave me ideas to take away as well as some facts that one wouldn’t find elsewhere.”
Mr Manoj Kumar, physiotherapist, Dumfries

“I decided to come to the show because I would like to invest in a franchise but am not sure what yet. Visiting the show has helped me hone down my focus. I have an existing business and so have the relevant facilities such as office space. What I’m after is a franchise to add on to my current business.  I am here to hone down the choice of businesses and to see exhibitors. I have already spoken to British Eco.
Ian Richards, building trade, Bury

“I am here to invest in a franchise and have spoken to six exhibitors who have all been helpful. I do plan on following-up with some of them and may attend some of the seminars taking place today. This was my first visit to a franchise show.”
Tim Howard, surveyor, nr Crewe

To find out how you can book a stand at any future Franchise Exhibitions, call the Franchise Team at +44 (0)20 8394 5207 or email charlotte.smith@vmgl.com