“Brand Expansion Continues - Business Opportunities to be Seized” – the 2015 Macao Franchise Expo (2015MFE) will be held from 3 July to 5 July in Exhibition Hall A of the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. A series of activities will be held, including an exhibition, forums, experience sharing sessions, business matching, brand repackaging consultancy service, as well as seminars and presentations, with the participation of more than 100 international brands. 2015MFE creates opportunities for exhibitors and trade visitors to exchange business ideas, and plays a vital role as an important platform for franchising and chain store operations in the region.

More than 100 Exhibitors Showcasing a Variety of Products

2015MFE 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 the Licensing and Franchising Association of Hong Kong (LFA).

This year’s event has attracted over 165 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macao, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The number of exhibitors is similar to that of last year.

The exhibitors participating in this year’s MFE cover a variety of industries, including food and beverage, retail, education, leisure and entertainment, finance, real estate, brand agency services and consultancy. Some of the well-known brands among the exhibitors are Subway, Store Friendly Self Storage Group, BOSSible, Chocolat-ier, Kids Kingdom, Perfume Dance, Kun Tan Snack, Tino’s Pizza, Pan One, and Share Tea. Macao Ideas - the Macao Products Display Centre will also set up an exhibition area to promote “Made in Macao” products, Macao Brands, Macao Design, and products from Portuguese-speaking countries that Macao enterprises hold the sole-distributorships.

Over 640 participants from a total of 29 trade promotion organisations and associations, as well as youth organisations from different regions, have registered as trade visitors to participate in the 2015MFE.

Experience Sharing Forum

The “Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands”, one of the highlights of the 2015MFE, is scheduled for the afternoon of 3 July. Senior management and prominent experts from franchising and branding associations, as well as young entrepreneurs, have been invited to attend the Forum.

This Forum will be divided into two sessions. Leaders of industrial associations from Portugal, Japan, Korea and Taiwan will host the first session and share with participants some insights on brand development and business strategies under four different types of business environments. Additionally, the Marketing Director of Délifrance, a well-known chain of café bakeries, will introduce the history of the company’s brand development and share experiences in marketing development through franchising.

During the second session, local brand agents and young entrepreneurs will share their success stories in franchising and business start-up. There will also be an interactive panel discussion for local young entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities in Macao and find out how to reduce business risks by making use of the government’s support.

Comprehensive Activities for Business Development

The "Brand Re-packaging Consultancy Service" returns this year as it has been well-received in previous years. The "Brand Re-packaging Consultancy Pavilion" is again organised by the Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association, supported by IPIM. The service aims to support entrepreneurs that wish to venture into the franchising business and help them expand their businesses.

Brand design is vital to the marketing of product and brand building, and plays an important role in the positioning and corporate image of the company. The "Brand Re-packaging Consultancy Service” provides free consultancy service for exhibitors and visitors. Professional consultants will advise on how to establish marketing network and further expand business market.

The 2015MFE has also invited experts from Macao and Taiwan to provide free one-on-one consultancy service in the form of advice and insights for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and young business starters. Additional services for SMEs and entrepreneurs include: “Marketing Promotion Strategy”; “Corporate Operation and Management Strategy”; and “Strategies for Young Entrepreneurs”. All local SMEs and young people intended to start a business are welcome.

Moreover, Mr Liu Wai Hung, a famous actor from Hong Kong, will share his entrepreneurial experience in a session at the 2015MFE.

A series of seminars and presentations are also available this year. Various local and foreign enterprises and organisations will get an exclusive opportunity to present their brands or franchise business, the philosophy of their enterprises, as well as the development of the chain and franchising business in their respective countries and regions.

Free, prearranged, business matching sessions will be available on-site, as part of a series of business matching activities. The organisers of the 2015MFE have already collected information of about 130 projects on chain operations and franchises. All Macao enterprises and young business starters are invited to sign up. For further information, to register or to obtain updated information about the business matching service, please contact the MFE Business Matching Service Team, on (853) 8798 9684/8798 9682, or visit the official website: bm.ipim.gov.mo.

Other activities at the 2015MFE include a Product Presentation by Japan’s Oita Prefecture to be held for three consecutive days and the K-Franchise Brand Show. Experts from Hong Kong and local franchising associations are also invited to talk about the franchising and chain store business model. They will also share ideas and experiences on brand selection and other issues that need special attention.

Convenient shuttle services for the public

The first day of the 2015MFE will be open to trade visitors only. On 4 and 5 July, the event will be open to the public and shuttle bus service will be available. Two shuttle bus routes will operate between the city centre and the MFE venue at the following locations: Estrada Marginal do Hipódromo and Av. Doutor Mário Soares (Macau Square). Complimentary parking at the MFE venue will be available on a first come, first served basis. For any enquiries, please visit the MFE official website: http://www.mfe.mo.