The Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc.(AFFI)  is  staging  the  “14th  Franchise  and  Business  Expo:  Empowering  Entrepreneurs”  from October 2 to 4, 2015 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

 The expo brings together over 300 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of business concepts and brands from both the Philippines and a number of countries included in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It also hosts a broad array of seminars and activities from various organizations to  further  improve  the  business  acumen of  all  participating  parties  and  promote  exhibition brands.

Ricardo Cuna, owner of the Fiorgelato ice cream franchise and head of the 14th Franchise and Business Expo organizing committee said “Every year, members of AFFI look forward to this expo because it gathers some of the most dynamic and insightful minds in the local business community, Since  its  conceptualization  years  ago,  it  has  become  an  important  platform  to showcases  businesses,  promote  brands  and  pursue  the  association’s  goals  in  aiding  local businessmen.”

In order to push its endeavours to improve the local business sector, AFFI includes in the expo this  year  around  300  household  names  in  the  franchising  industry as  well  as  start-up entrepreneurs thereby  allowing  them  to  showcase  their  concepts  alongside  participating franchisers. The inclusion of these new businessmen goes hand in hand with the association’s recent rebranding effort to extend its membership not only franchisers but to entrepreneurs as well. 

In line with its attempt to aid new entrepreneurs, AFFI has also launched this year the expo’s comprehensive Business Journey series,  an actual tour for aspiring business owners,  guiding them  on  how  to  go  into  business. It  contains  extensive  information  on  how  to  become  a successful entrepreneur, the proper mindset one must have in starting a business, and how one can properly utilize available government services, investment tools and technology  in pursuing one’s entrepreneurial aspirations.

 “These days, it is very important to nurture the Filipino entrepreneurs and make it ready to compete with in a global arena,” Cuna says. “With the  on-going  ASEAN integration, more and more foreign brands will be entering the country. Therefore, it is necessary for us to properly arm our local businessmen so as to improve their chances of success despite heavy competition.This is why the expo and AFFI  itself have concentrated on the goal of empowerment.”

Founded by a handful of local business owners back in 1997, AFFI now stands as one of the largest and oldest trade organizations in the Philippines. The group was spearheaded in order to promote  responsible  small  medium  enterprise  businesses  through  franchising.  Currently,  it consists  of  Filipino  corporate  presidents,  CEOs,  and  prominent  businessmen  who  seek  to improve the competitive potential of the local businesses in the global market. This year’s “14th Franchise and Business Expo: Empowering Entrepreneurs” is but one of the many events the association pushed for this year in order to realize its goals. 

Register now and discover a whole new world of opportunities. For more  information on the Expo, visit http://www.affi.com.ph or contact (02) 515-9846,  (02)334-3073 or Telefax No. (02) 501-5449 or email them at expo@affi.com.ph.