International Franchise Expo Moving to NYC

Online, March 6, 2012 (Newswire.com) - After spending the last 20 years in the Nation's Capital, the International Franchise Expo is heading to the business capital of the world - New York City.

The 2012 International Franchise Expo (IFE) will take place June 15-17 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, moving the well-known franchising event to the world's most vibrant marketplace. The three-day event uniquely showcases hundreds of franchise companies offering a wide range of opportunities at virtually every investment level. Tens of thousands of prospective investors from across the country and overseas have attended the show over the last 20 years.

"Every year, the IFE is responsible for the opening of hundreds of small businesses and creating thousands of jobs - and there's no better place for that to take center stage than New York," said Tom Portesy, President of MFV Expositions, producers of the show. "Small business growth will be a significant factor in our economic recovery and we know New York City is the place to lead the charge."

The franchise industry is a major contributor to the U.S. economy, employing more than 20 million people and contributing over $2 trillion in economic activity, according to the International Franchise Association, the show's sponsor. Franchise business jobs are projected to grow 2.1 percent in 2012, an increase of 168,000 jobs, according to a recent IFA report. The gross domestic product originating in the franchise sector is projected to grow 4.8 percent this year, an increase of $21 billion.

Adding to the stature of the show now being in New York, top media players have partnered with the IFE to help promote the show, including TIME, Money, Fortune Magazine, New York Times, Star-Ledger/NJ.com, Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and several other local media outlets. The show is also being promoted through leading industry publications like Franchise Times, Franchising World, Franchise Update Magazine, as well as media outlets like Minority Business Entrepreneur, The Franchise Handbook and other member-based associations in the New York metro area.

To help create even more interest, the New York Attorney General's Office this year has allowed franchise companies not currently registered in New York to apply for a three-day exemption from registration to showcase their brand at IFE through a special "Trade Show Exemption" status. The exemption form can be downloaded through the Attorney General's Website and requires a $450 fee. More information may be found here: http://www.ag.ny.gov/investor-protection/franchisors-and-franchisees.

The IFE is supported by the U.S. Commercial Service and promoted worldwide. More than 80 Foreign Commercial Service Offices in the US and over 60 countries actively promote the IFE within their regions and bring official escorted delegations from all around the world to the New York City. Over the years, the IFE has been a significant catalyst to the global expansion of franchising.

About MFV Expositions
For nearly 20 years, MFV, known as the "first family of franchising," 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.