70 local, foreign experts headline franchise confab

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) said a powerhouse cast of around 70 local and foreign experts will be on hand at this year’s Franchise Asia Philippines (FAPHL) International Conference to share emerging strategies and business trends that will be critical to the continued growth of the industry in this age of global disruption.

This, according to PFA president Chris Lim, makes the International Franchise Conference 2023 slated on June 7 and 8 at the SMX Convention Center Manila a must-attend event anew for franchising stakeholders.

“The International Franchise Conference is one of several initiatives being conducted by the PFA to promote franchising as the best business strategy that aspiring entrepreneurs can practice in the face of various social and economic difficulties and to advance the local and international growth of more emerging Filipino brands,” Lim said.

PFA chair Sherill Quintana said the conference, which carries the theme Franchising Fast Forward, focuses on preparing franchise organizations for the future and moving businesses forward for growth. “Sessions and discussions are curated in a way that speakers and panelists can share future trends and prospects, operational excellence, and real-life strategic applications to boost forward the growth and success of franchising amidst disruption and the ever-changing business landscape. The theme highlights the importance of emerging technologies and the latest business and workplace trends.”

Franchise Asia Philippines Conference is the PFA’s flagship capability-building program that has immensely opened unparalleled and immeasurable windows of opportunities for growth, expansion, and success for the franchising sector.

It represents the strength and solidarity of the sector and its stakeholders. Through the years, the event’s significance has widened within the country and even beyond borders and has significantly contributed to charting the future of the franchising community.

In line with this year’s theme, the plenary sessions will focus on how franchise businesses can prepare for the emergence of new technologies and how to keep themselves relevant in the ever-changing social and economic landscape of the world. Topics include the future of franchising, consumer behavior trends in 2023 and beyond, the use of third-party marketplaces and the future of the digital world and its impact on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The conference will also be an opportunity to put on a single stage the biggest and brightest superstars of the franchising community in the Philippines at the CEO Forum: Franchising Fast Forward. CEO panelists from some of the country’s most trusted brands such as 7-Eleven, Jollibee, McDonald’s and Max’s Group will share thought leadership on how they are preparing their companies and brands for the future and moving fast forward in a fast-changing environment.

The event will also feature two Great Debate Forums featuring a panel of experts discussing whether aggregators or in-house solutions are the best way to serve customers better and market expansion either by traditional or non-traditional locations. These sessions will feature industry leaders from Grab Philippines, Army Navy, Shakey’s, McDonald’s, SM Supermalls, Koomi, Pick.A.Roo and Wendy’s Philippines.