The world’s largest producer of franchise expos is harnessing the digital event space, in light of in-person exhibitions postponed until 2021.
In a showcase of adaptability, MFV Expositions, the organizer of notable events such as the International Franchise Expo and Franchise Expo West, is debuting the Online Franchise Expo, running from October 15-30.
The event, which will combine four shows into a single online showcase, comes after the decision to postpone the remaining 2020 live events until 2021, in light of COVID-19’s ongoing affect on the business landscape worldwide. The revised dates for MFV Exhibition’s in-person events are as follows:
- Franchise Expo South to be held in Miami February 11-13, 2021
- Franchise Expo Nashville to be held May 6-7, 2021
- International Franchise Expo to be held in New York City June 17-19, 2021
- Franchise Expo West to be held September 30 – Oct 2, 2021
- Franchise Expo Houston to be held October 22-23, 2021
“The COVID-19 global pandemic has put many industries in a state of flux,” said Robert Cresanti, CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA). “By postponing all remaining 2020 live events, MFV Expositions is able to focus all marketing efforts into a robust local, regional, national, and international campaign for this one large virtual event. With the success of May’s International Franchise Expo Online Event, MFV now has a blueprint for making this the largest and most impactful online event in the franchising industry.”
The Online Franchise Expo is the only expo sponsored by the IFA and U.S. Department of Commerce, and exhibitors can design an online presence complete with a virtual booth, where they can host live meetings before and during the show, and interact with valuable candidates from around the world.
“Our franchisors have told us how important it is to keep development and the forefront of their strategic plans as the economy rebuilds post-COVID,” said Sheila Fischer, vice president of MVF Expositions. “One thing this pandemic has shined a light on is the value of having the support of a franchisor to provide guidance, resources, and collateral to navigate uncertainty and remain resilient.
“As unemployment has soared and many re-evaluate personal finances and career paths, we’re anticipating a major influx in aspiring entrepreneurs looking for business opportunities that provide a strong support structure – franchising proving to be the logical answer.”
