The Franchise Exhibition

The Belfast franchise exhibition

The Franchise Exhibition took place in Belfast on the 11 - 12 May 2007.

The Franchise Exhibition featured the Starting Your Own Business Zone providing the perfect platform for you to find our all you need to know about franchising and starting your own business in Belfast.

The following are the features that took place within the exhibition.

Starting Your Own Business Zone

The Starting Your Own Business Zone is an opportunity to learn from experts, network with advisors and business experts and find out you can run your own business.

From sales and marketing to securing funds and website optimisation, the Starting Your Own Business Zone will provide you with the FREE expertise and advice to help you achieve your dream.

Benefit from attending the following features:

* FREE seminars featuring the founders of successul businesses
* Networking sessions
* FREE Business Plan Clinic

For further details of this event please visit www.start-business.co.uk

Seminar Programme

Friday 11 May 2007

10:15 – 10:45
Opening Address: Entrepreneurship – born or bred?
• What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur?
• What are the key entrepreneurial traits?
• Can anyone do it?
• Maintaining motivation through the hard times
Steven Giles, Founder, Tickety-moo

12:30 – 13:00
Finding funds for your business
• A guide to the different routes for funding
• Proving the essentials – the importance of your business plan
• How can you appear more attractive to potential investors?
• Utilising independent sources of advice
Jenny Waugh, Director, Hamilton Morris Waugh

14:45 – 15:15
An essential guide to sales and marketing
• Why is marketing essential to your business?
• What level of coverage can you expect on a small budget?
• Deciding your brand image and communicating the message
• Creating awareness and recognition
Nicola Bury, Founder, Haybury Marketing

Saturday 12 May 2007

11:30 – 12:00
Becoming a successful networker
• The importance of networking for small business owners
• Where, when and how should you be networking?
• How can you differentiate between networking and selling?
• Top tips for successful networking
Jack McComiskey, Chair, B4B & Barbara Douglas, Business Development Manger, B4B

13:45 – 14:15
Optimising your web presence
• How is the Internet key to the success of your business?
• Building an effective website to attract visitors
• What are the tools you can use to drive traffic to your site?
• Understanding the jargon – what does it all mean?
Gareth Dunlop, Managing Director, Tibus

Networking Lounge Facilitated by Haybury Marketing

Visit the Networking Lounge and solve ‘Your Business Challenge’.

Discuss the major challenge facing your business with Northern Ireland’s leading business experts. The Networking Lounge is your chance to meet with both new and experienced entrepreneurs over a coffee in a relaxed and informal environment and learn from their experiences.

During the course of the two day event visitors will be able to speak to representatives from organisations including; the BNI, the FSB and The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry as well as B4B and Women in Business.

Business Plan Clinic Facilitated by Ulster Bank

Have your business plan critiqued by Ulster Banks Business Development Managers to ensure that your business receives the investment/support it needs to get off the ground.

Business plans are the essential starting point for all aspiring entrepreneurs and our experts will check that your plan displays a strategy for sustainable long-term growth, has a streamlined direction and most importantly will impress the bank manager.

Franchise seminars from the British Franchise Association