Franchise expo opens today at PICC

MANILA, Philippines - Recognized Philippine franchising guru Armando “Butz” O. Bartolome spearheads the third edition of The Philippine SME and Franchise Expo which opens today and runs until Saturday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The forum will showcase emerging franchise concepts and business trends that are suited even for prospective entrepreneurs with minimal capital resources.

Bartolome, founder of GMB Franchise Developers Inc. and Franchise Institute of the Philippines, said aside from being treated to free seminars on entrepreneurshop, from starting a business to branding and marketing, visitors to the three-day show can also directly learn from the business concepts of some 120 exhibitors.

“When you enter PICC for the Expo, you will surely learn a lot and by the time you go out, you already have the necessary knowledge and inspiration to start or grow your own business,” he emphasized.

He noted the “Philippine SME and Franchise Expo 2011” has generated interest even from the academe, with the student council of the Philippine Women’s University - Calamba sending 500 entrepreneurship students on Oct. 27.

Among the emerging business concepts that will be on display at the event are the Chicken Deli from Bacolod, which will be going to Manila for the first since it opened in 1983, and BC NET, which is offering a VOIP (voice-over Internet protocol) business with very minimal start-up capital requirement.

Bartolome said Sun Cellular Business Solutions will also launch a business package for SMEs at the event.

To further intensify interest in the event, he said Pocholo Gonzales will talk about branding for SMEs and how they can make use of websites and social networks like Facebook to grow their business.

Bartolome added Go Negosyo will also give seminars during the expo while support services facilities like banks, logistics outfits, and contractors have also indicated their desire to participate.

“This is a one-stop-shop for those who want to grow their small businesses and those who want to start their own business ventures,” Bartolome stressed.