Exploring Franchise Opportunities at the News Conference-Exhibition
The conference was opened by the Director of The Center for Entrepreneurship office in Nizhny Novgorod. The attendees were welcomed, given an overview of CFE’s activities and wished success in achieving their goals in finding the right business partners. Denis Labusa, Minister for Small Business Support and Development, spoke about the small business structure of the Region and the role and potential of franchising for its development. Speakers from the Russian Chamber of Commerce, Subway, who was invited to the conference by The Center for Entrepreneurship, highlighted the role of franchising in the US economy and compared it to the situation in Russia. Representatives of franchisor companies spoke about current trends in such industries as food and apparel retail, restaurants, medical services, tourism and automotive. Two seminars followed. Experts from Deloshop gave a seminar for would-be franchisees, covering all aspects and stages of buying a franchise. Soyuz conducted a seminar for franchisors, teaching about preparing a franchising package and implementing a franchising system. The exhibition hosted about 40 franchises (retail, services, restaurant, and automotive) from Nizhny Novgorod, and St.Petersburg. Around 400 participants attended the conference from various cities.
Key Organizations at the Conference
OPORA Russia (Association of Entrepreneurial Organizations) played a significant role in supporting the conference, providing insights into the growth of small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit. Another key organization was Startup Huddle, fostering an environment for entrepreneurs to develop ideas and receive feedback. The presence of financial institutions like NBD-Bank was instrumental in discussing funding opportunities for new franchises. Industry representatives from various sectors contributed to a rich dialogue on the current state and future directions of franchising, making the conference a comprehensive resource for all attendees.