Tokyo to Host First Ever International Franchise Expo, Oct. 18-19, 2016

Endorsed by the U.S. Embassy, the Japan Franchise Association (JFA), and welcomed by the Japan External Trade Association (JETRO), Tokyo is set to host its first ever International Franchise Expo at the Tokyo International Forum, Oct. 18-19, 2016. The two day event is designed to unite qualified prospective franchise owners with growing Japanese, American, and other global franchisors in the largest franchise market in Asia – Japan.

As franchising remains a hot global opportunity, MFV Expositions, recognized for producing the leading franchise events worldwide, Idea Link Co., Ltd. and I. Fujita International, Inc. (IFI) have joined forces to further global expansion in the sector by introducing International Franchise Expo, Japan. More than 100 exhibitors are anticipated at the expo as senior-level executives will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with both new and existing investors.

“The International Franchise Expo, Japan is geared towards those franchise brands looking to develop in Asian markets,” said Tom Portesy, president of MFV Expositions. “We’re able to draw well-respected, growing franchise brands from a wide variety of industries and in turn, we attract highly qualified prospects hungry for new business opportunities. With commitments from reputable Japanese and United States companies, we anticipate many exhibitors awarding franchises based on expo meetings.”

For more than 25 years, MFV has enjoyed a partnership with California-based IFI on the Japanese website. Portesy has worked alongside Ichiro Roy Fujita, president and CEO of IFI for decades, and recently welcomed Naoki Shimakuro, president and CEO of Idea Link Co., Ltd. to grow franchising in Asia.

Based in Tokyo, Idea Link Co., Ltd. is one of the major lead generating sites in Japan, and a successful organizer of a number of trade shows. The pioneer of web and social media marketing in the region, Idea Link Co., Ltd. partnered with IFI in Japan in 2015 knowing the combination, along with MFV, would provide them tremendous entry to the franchise industry.

“When it comes to growing a brand through franchising, tradeshows remain one of the soundest investments available,’ said Fujita. “Since I started my franchise consulting company 30 years ago, it has been my personal dream to organize an International Franchise Expo in Japan and I am beyond eager to debut the show this fall.”

Given that 95 percent of the world’s potential consumers are beyond U.S. borders, there is a lot of market potential yet to be tapped and American brands going global with increasing intensity. This trend has been driven not just by the big franchise players, but by up-and-comers as well, proving to be a unique strategy for early rapid global growth.

Inquire for the International Franchise Expo, Japan; please contact Rick Brunsman at MFV
(rbrunsman@mfvexpo.com or Tel: 201-881-1606).

About MFV Expositions

For 25 years, MFV Expositions 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 a franchise, MFV also offers access to online franchise opportunities through web-based resources.

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