Anaheim hosts WCFE after 8 years in Los Angeles
Paramus, N.J. -
October 22, 2012 - With a move to Anaheim, increasing awareness of
franchising as a lucrative avenue to business ownership, and an
improving economy, the 2012 debut of the
West Coast
Franchise Expo
in Anaheim was the perfect venue to relocate the leading franchise
event in the west, according to show organizers. Over 180
exhibitors showcased their concepts and products to an estimated
three day attendance of 8,763 visitors. Held from October 12-14 at
the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, the west's largest
franchise event attracted an extremely qualified audience for three
days of lead generation, education and networking.
This year's WCFE hosted more than 70 first time exhibitors
attracted by a change in location after 8 years in Los Angeles and
encouraged by the desire to expand in southern California and
throughout the region. Many past WCFE franchisors reported meeting
and speaking with extremely qualified show visitors who had the
access to capital and the desire to be in business for
themselves.
"The West Coast Franchise Expo has been a great show for
Firehouse Subs," said Greg Delks director of franchise development
at Firehouse, "we really work the show - we sent invitations to our
best prospects and we scheduled meetings at the expo. We're new to
California and we met great prospects at WCFE. We expect to open
10-15 restaurants in the west over the next twelve months. We've
already booked our space for WCFE 2013!"
Media attendance and coverage of WCFE included:
KTLA
,
OC Metro Minute, CNNMoney.com, Entrepreneur.com, 1851 Franchise
Magazine, Franchise Times, Money Magazine, Fortune Magazine, USA
Today, Univision, WS Radio, The Wall Street Journal
in addition to
KFWB's Business Rockstars
Live on the expo floor
.
MFV Expositions, the show's producers, ramped up their marketing
efforts with new radio and television ads,new in-market
partnerships and a better media buy to increase awareness of the
new and improved WCFE.
"The move to Anaheim came after a considerable amount of market
research and exhibitor feedback," said Tom Portesy, President and
CEO of MFV Expositions. "Leaving Los Angeles, or any market after
eight years, is difficult and always done with trepidation but like
our move from DC to NYC for the International Franchise Expo, we
are absolutely delighted with the results. Having been in this
business for thirty years and being witness to the kind of growth
we've experienced is truly remarkable. It was another great weekend
for franchising, the International Franchise Association and MFV
Expositions."
For more information about the West Coast Franchise Expo and to
find out more for next year's show, please visit
www.WCFExpo.com
.
For over 20 years, MFV Expositions has been producing the leading
franchise events worldwide that consistently bring together
franchise concepts, at all investment levels, with the most
qualified visitors seeking to own their own business. In addition
to quality franchise expos in the United States and overseas that
offer face-to-face opportunities to grow your franchise, MFV also
offers access to online franchise opportunities through web-based
resources, lead management tools and solutions for generating
sales.