##The National Franchise Exhibition 2014
A visit to The National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham on 3 and 4 October is the perfect starting point for anyone considering a change in career or launching a new business. The flagship franchise event of the industry will be packed with exciting opportunities and all the advice and information you need to succeed, all under one roof.

Starting up on your own can be daunting but with a proven business model, an established brand and the support of a network of helpful experienced colleagues, the prospects of success can be much greater. It is this formula that has made franchising so successful - according to the recent NatWest/bfa survey, 92% of franchises are operating profitably.

There will be hundreds of inspiring franchises to suit every skill, interest and budget available at The National Franchise Exhibition, from health and fitness to finance, food and drink, home care, and children’s services to property. Many of the vast range of opportunities from the UK and overseas are with well-known brands such as Anytime Fitness, McDonald’s, Mail Boxes Etc and Platinum Property Partners as well as fresh franchising opportunities such as Smart PA, Diamond Logistics, LuluLocal and Professor Poopenshtinken`s Magical Maths, NatWest and HSBC. There will also be many specialist lawyers, accountants and consultants who will be there to offer expert services.

In addition to the fantastic range of companies taking part, the two day event is packed full of fascinating and educational seminars, providing visitors with an opportunity to find answers to all their questions about franchising. Many of the sessions feature experts from the British Franchise Association (bfa), as well as members of the legal and finance professions, business advisors and franchisors and franchisees, all giving valuable insight to help visitors become successful franchisees.

There are also a series of specialised clinics on site, offering dedicated advice on specific areas of franchising. The Finance Clinic, facilitated by Franchise Finance, will offer one-to-one advice on how to source funding and how to prepare a business plan to help gain finance from the bank. The Careers Clinic is a feature which enables visitors to establish their own skills and abilities and what kind of franchise would suit them best. At the Expert Advice Clinic, the bfa, lawyers, bankers and business advisors will answer any questions from contract terms to training.

For visitors looking to invest a substantial amount of capital, the High Investment VIP Lounge is set up for them to discuss the opportunities available in a comfortable and discrete environment with complimentary beverages. There are also several dedicated seminars for this type of visitor integrated into the programme.

Among the engaging keynote speakers at the exhibition will be Dina Dwyer-Owens, CEO and executive chairwoman of The Dwyer Group® which owns brands such as Mr. Electric® and Rainbow International® both exhibiting at the event. One of the leading personalities in the franchise industry in America and well–known across the USA as a successful businesswoman, Dina will be sharing her thoughts and advice at the event.

For those considering a career in the food sector, McDonald’s will be holding exclusive Open Sessions providing a unique insight into being part of one of the world`s biggest brands and its first-class franchisee training programme.

The very popular Real Franchise Stories sessions will offer visitors the chance to hear about franchising from those who have already made a success of it. Franchisees who have recently made the transition from employee to business owner will encourage visitors with their tales of success and offer advice. In the Growing Your Own Business Conference impressive entrepreneurs will explain how they developed their businesses and made a success of it.All the companies exhibiting at The National Franchise Exhibition have been approved by the bfa. This means that they are operating in line with the association’s strict code of ethics, allowing visitors to take full advantage of the opportunities available with complete peace of mind.

Any visitors concerned about childcare need not worry as The Creation Station, an award winning children’s activity centre franchise, will be there to entertain them and show what it has to offer franchisees. Under the supervision of a parent or guardian, children will have the opportunity to play and explore a wide range of arts and crafts while a partner or friend explores all the opportunities available.

Adrian Goodsell, Director of Franchise Sales at Venture Marketing Group, organisers of The National Franchise Exhibition, commented: “The National Franchise Exhibition is always an exciting event. There is so much on offer for anyone interested in starting up a franchise. We are looking forward to welcoming a fantastic range of exhibitors this year and helping thousands of visitors on their way to starting a successful career in franchising.”

The National Franchise Exhibition takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on 3 & 4 October 2014.