The 2015 Macao Franchise Expo (2015MFE) come to a successful close today (5 July). Many exhibitors described the three-day event as highly successful, praising the role of MFE as a platform for nurturing local brands and assisting enterprises in exploring the markets of Mainland China and those overseas.
This year’s MFE was held under the theme “Brand Expansion Continues - Business Opportunities to be Seized”. It attracted a total of 168 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, including Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Portugal, Philippines, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. It was the first time that MFE was participated by exhibitor from the United Arab Emirates. The exhibitors covered a variety of industries, including food and beverage, retail, education, leisure and entertainment, finance, real estate services, consultancy services and brand agency services. The event was held in a 6,000-square-metre venue, with a total of 218 booths this year.
MFE as a Platform for Exploring Business Opportunities
As there are increasing international participation in MFE and the event has been constantly growing and improving, it continued to make use of the online and new media channels in promotion and publicity, in order to cover wider range of trade visitors. The three-day event has attracted more than 14,500 visitors, including nearly 2,200 trade visitors. A total of 1,042 business matching sessions were held at 2015MFE. With the objective of further enhancing exchanges and networking between different industries, the event organisers has conducted 15 matching and networking sessions, involving a total of 17 parties. A total of 12 co-operation agreements were signed at the venue, with projects covering industries including food and beverage chains, marketing and promotion service, brand agency service, franchising co-operation projects as well as collaboration between associations.
With the aim of making MFE a more professional event, the organisers have invited an increasing numbers of international franchising chain brands to join the event. Gathering internationally-renowned brands from both local and overseas markets, the organisers have turned MFE into a networking platform for enterprises and visitors and promote co-operation between the two. Enterprises can also make use of Macao’s strength as a gateway in tapping the Mainland market to explore business opportunities and further expand their businesses. Many exhibitors said that the event has been effective and achieved their intended objectives.
Event Holds Diverse Activities to Facilitate Youth Entrepreneurship
During the 2015MFE, several forums were held under different themes and a series of seminars and presentations were organised.
Among which, the “Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands”, held on the first day of the event, had attracted the participation of more than 150 young business starter and SME entrepreneurs. Youth entrepreneurship was one of the key topics at this year’s MFE, several activities targeting young business starters were organised. Additionally, the business matching area fostered an ideal environment for exchanges between enterprises, and for those seeking co-operation and opportunities to learn. The event organisers again provided the widely acclaimed “Brand Repackaging Pavilion” this year. It offered free consultancy services to SMEs and young business starters on franchising operations, marketing and promotion strategies, corporate operation and management strategies and approaches to youth entrepreneurship.
As there are growing international participation over the years, attracting a larger number of globally-renowned brands, MFE has continued to consolidate its role as a platform in business start up and investment, something especially beneficial to young entrepreneurs. The event also helps local SMEs to establish their brand image and enhance their corporate culture.
2016MFE to be Held in Late July
The 2016 Macao Franchise Expo will be held between 28 to 31 July 2016. It will continue to promote the development of chain and franchise business; strengthen the promotion of local brands to help them go global; attract more international brands to enter into the Macao market; make use of the advantages of Macao as a gateway to the Mainland China market; and offer a platform for young people that are interested in starting a business so that they can “achieve their dream”. The event will also co-operate with local and overseas commercial and industrial sectors to create more business opportunities for participants.
