If you are considering starting a business overseas, a visit to The British & International Franchise Exhibition - and specifically the International Zone - will enable you to find out what franchise opportunities are available, how to go about gaining funding and get advice on the procedures you should take and the pitfalls you may need to avoid.

So, if you are considering any of the following:

• Exporting a franchise into the UK successfully
• Buying a master franchise in the UK
• Buying an international franchise

Visit The British & International Franchise Exhibition!

If you need any help organising your trip to London please feel free to contact Vickie Shoesmith on +44 (0)20 8394 5237 or email vickie.shoesmith@vmgl.com alternatively you can find more information here >>

International Franchise Conference

The International Franchise Conference will will address many key industry issues including: the pros and cons of going international in the current economic climate, understanding the different routes to buying into a franchise and adapting a brand to fit the local market.

Seminar timetable 

Friday 16 March 2012

10:30 - 11:00 | Welcome & networking

11:00 - 11:30 |  Keynote address
Growing a franchised business overseas

• Why I chose to use the franchise model to expand overseas
• Country selection - where and why?
• The challenges the business faced during the process
• What were the main lessons learnt?

12:00 - 12:45 | Panel seminar
Choosing and operating a master franchise

• What is expected of you?
• What you should expect of yourself
• Choosing a master licence - where to start
• Master licence agreement - what to look for

13:45 - 14:30 | Panel seminar
Franchising your brand into the UK

• What are the opportunities and growth areas in the UK?
• Understanding the UK market, consumer drivers and motivations
• Assessing existing local competition within your market
• What is the role of the British Franchise Association and how can it help?
• Understanding how the UK franchise market is governed

Manzoor Ishani, Senior Consultant Solicitor, Sherrards Solicitors
Amjid Bashir, UK Master Franchisee, Baguette Express
Brian Smart, Director General, bfa

15:00 - 15:45 | Panel seminar
Bringing an international brand to your country - an investor's perspective

• Why choose a foreign brand?
• Understanding how the brand works in its home market
• Researching your local consumers: how does the model or brand need adapting to fit cultural differences?
• Allowing for legal and tax implications within your local market

16:00 - 16:30 | Keynote address
An international launch story - a case study

• Making the decision to go international
• Researching the markets and understanding the implications
• Next steps - finance, premises, partners and the legal stuff
• The launch and experiences so far
• The impact on the business as a whole

Manzoor Ishani, Franchise Development Director, Stagecoach Theatre Schools

Saturday 17 March 2012

11:00 - 11:30 | Keynote address
Investing in an international franchise brand

Tony Goodwin, Founder & Chairman, Antal International

12:00 - 12:45 | Panel seminar
Is your franchise ready for international expansion?

• Determining the right time to take your business international
• Selecting new markets - what do you need to consider?
• What are the considerations for setting up in new markets?
• Does your brand and business model work in the local market and culture?
• What are the implications for your business at home?

13:45 - 14:30 | Panel seminar
The main considerations for expanding internationally

• Costs of adapting the brand to fit the overseas market
• What is the size and profit potential of a market?
• What critical mass is required to establish the brand in the market?
• Culture, language, climate, logistics, cost of labour and regulations
  

Farrah Rose, The International Franchising Centre
Martin Francis, HSBC
Kate Matthews, Stevenson & Bolton 

15:00 - 15:45 | Panel seminar
A guide to purchasing an international brand

• What are the benefits of purchasing overseas?
• How do you determine if it is right for you?
• Understanding the financial implications
• How do you find out about franchise opportunities in different markets?
• What resources are available to help you choose and assess international franchise opportunities?
• Common pitfalls and obstacles to avoid
  

International Partners

Our international partners include:

Seminar tracks

• 

  British Franchise Association (bfa) franchising panel seminars - including consultants, solicitors, bankers and franchisor
• High-level investment franchising
• Franchise resales
• Executives in franchising
• Families in franchising
• Growing your own business
• Hands-on franchising
• International franchising
  
• Franchising your business
• Keynotes
• SPEAKERS at the exhibition
• FULL conference programme