Friday 11th and Saturday 12th October saw the much-anticipated Ulster Bank Irish Franchising & Start Ups Expo take place in the RDS, Dublin. The Sunday Business Post was excited to combine its annual Start Ups event, which has been running very successfully since its inaugural year back in 2009, with the Irish Franchising Association's annual showcase. Stalls were exhibited, leaflets and cards were exchanged, seminars on franchising and general business were attended, and franchisees were born.
Adrian Hopkins with the Sunday Business Post spent much time organising the event, and afterwards told us of its success.
How do you think the expo went? Were you pleased with the attendance?
We were happy with the event overall. This is the first year we have organised the Franchise Expo in conjunction with the Start Ups Expo so we really didn’t know what to expect. The majority of sponsors and exhibitors were happy.
Why did the Sunday Business Post decide to organise this/get involved?
The Irish Franchise Association asked us to organise their annual showcase event. The Sunday Business Post has been supporting The Franchise Expo for the last number of years by publishing a Franchise Expo supplement so this was a natural progression given our expertise and experience in the event business.
Did it take long to prepare?
We started working on the event in May 2013. This is the time needed to successfully target sponsors and exhibitors.
Will you be doing the same next year?
Yes, we will be letting the Franchise & Start Up community know this will be annual event happening on a similar date.
Do you think it was more or less successful/popular than last year?
The Irish Franchise Association have said it was better this year. The targeted delegates that attended were there to purchase a franchise or their second franchise.
What do you think are the advantages of franchising?
The many advantages of franchising were on display last week. There were some really impressive franchising and business ideas.
See below for photos of the event:
Attendants browse the room, with Caremark's stall to the right
Kevin Pendergast with ODCE speaks of 'Corporate Governance Sins' such as fighting with colleagues and not having meetings.
Snap explain their printing business to potential franchisees. “We are very happy with the quality of delegates here today," said John Eager, CEO with Snap. "We have picked up some excellent leads that we are confident will turn into new franchises. We will definitely be back next year."
A proud John Green with his franchise Chem-Dry
The entrance to the franchise expo building