ABF takes an Executive Mission to Peru

With the support of the Peruvean Chamber of Franchising, ABF took an executive mission to Peru, with the participation of the following companies: Casa do Construtor, Caverna do Dino, Emagrecentro, Rabusch, Trópico e Hering.

The mission was held with goal of developing business in the Country.

The event took place in the Brazilian Embassy, in Lima.

The Brazilian delegation was received by the president of the Peruvean Chamber of Franchise, Mr. Daniel Manrique Winkler, at the restaurant Segundo Muele, where there was also present the General Secretary of FIAF, Mr. Carlos Roberts.

FIAF participates of the 22ª Valence Franchise Expo

Once again, the organizers from SIF&Co hosted the Iberoamerican Federation of Franchises – FIAF – to the annual FIAF´s meeting. SIF&Co is seen as one of the most important franchise expo in Europe, and the expo happened on October 20th, 21st, and 22nd.

This year the event has presented signs of recovering when compared to the two last editions. The Expo had 196 franchising brands coming from 14 countries. Another situation that called the attention of the organizers was the increase in the visitors number which made the expositors excited, letting them with a good business perspective. This year, the frozen yogurt concepts have been successful followed by the esthetic clinics and renewable energy business such as solar panels.

For the SIF&Co President, Jaime Ussía, while some sectors in the franchising remain stagnant such as the real state and finances, others have been updating themselves, for instance, sex shops and vending machines that serve hot food.

The President from AEF – Asociación Española de Franquiciadores, Xavier Vallhonrat believes that it hasn´t been the moment for great celebrations just yet, but he believes that there is a positive movement and a new growth beginning in the franchising sector.

According to AEF, there are 934 franchise brands operating in the country, and 81% are national ones. Also, 234 of those brands are present in more than 100 countries.

The FIAF´s meeting had representatives from Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The topics discussed were of great relevance for the sector. As an example we can mention the entrance of Venezuela and Guatemala to the WFC (World Franchise Council) which may be happening in the next meeting that will be hold in March 2012 in Mexico. Another topic discussed was the new federation statute that will bring among other things, new positions to cope the growth of the activities.

The country-members also elected the new General Secretary of FIAF. Carlos Roberts, the AMF (Mexican Franchising Association) international director, was approved by unanimity to be managing the Secretariat of FIAF. Carlos Roberts will be replacing Ricardo Camargo from ABF. In the next 24 months, Mexico will be responsible for conducting the entity.

For Camargo, “his experience on conducting FIAF was positive because it brought the Iberoamerican bloc closer together, and it made the entiy stronger. The Portal da FIAF was improved, and it speeded the country-members´ information process, making the business development easier”.

Ricardo Camargo was recognized for his performance by all the FIAF´s members. Camargo was invited to be the new Communication Secretary and among all the activities that the position inquiries, he will be taking care of the Portal da FIAF (www.portalfiaf.com ).

FIAF´s activities ended with a meeting in the Cámara do Comércio de Valência. The representatives were hosted by the President of the entity, José Vicente Morata. When the participants finished their presentations, Morata informed that the Latin America is part of the international development strategy of Valence companies.

FIAF participates of the 5ª edition of FIFU – Feria International de Franquicias de Uruguay

The General Secretary from FIAF and the executive director from the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF), Ricardo Camargo, participated of FIFU on October 07th in Montevideo in the Hotel Radisson Victoria.

The expo was organized by CAUFRAN. It had 29 booths and hosted around 1000 visitors. According to Ricardo Camargo, the country presents a great potential for the development of the franchising system: “The local retail is more and more organized and is going through a professionalization process leaded by franchise.”

CAUFRAN studies shows that the country has 280 brands, 80% are international ones, and the franchising system is responsible for generating 25 thousand direct jobs. The entity is a FIAF member, and it has started its activities a little less than 3 years ago.

For the President from the Uruguayan Franchising Chamber (CAUFRAN), Gabriel Grasiuso, the event has been growing larger each year, and it has hosted high quality visitors. Gabriel affirmed that the international franchising concepts have a great opportunity in the country.

The female brand concept, Lolita, is today one of the most important franchising brands in Uruguay. It operates in Brazil and more 14 countries.

Another great initiative during the Expo was the releasing of Uruguay Natural – Parilla Gourmet which is a thematic restaurant concept that intends to promote the Uruguayan meat. It is a project done by the government with the National Meat Institute, the private sector, and CAUFRAN.

The opening ceremony of the expo counted with the presence of the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay, Mr. Roberto Kreimerman, the President from ABF, Mr. Ricardo Bomeny, the President from CAUFRAN, Mr. Gabriel Grasiuso, the executive director from ABF, Mr. Ricardo Camargo, the local authorities and guests.

FIAF in the WFC meeting in the Philippines

The Iberoamerican entity was represented in the Manila event in the Philippines during the second WFC annual meeting.

ABF and AMF represented respectively by FIAF General Secretary, and the executive director of ABF, Ricardo Camargo and Diego Elizarraras, AMF President and Carlos Roberts, International director from the Mexican Franchising Association. ABF distributed the new FIAF´s folder in the institucional booth, and provided information about the entity.

The FIAF´s most important topic during the WFC meeting was admission process of Cámara Venezola de Franquicias (Profranquicias) and Asociación Guatemalteca de Franquicias (AGF). If these two associations be approved in the next meeting that will take place in Mexico, the Iberoamerican bloc will get stronger. The FIAF´s members that make part of the WFC are: Brasil, Mexico, Portugal, Argentina and Ecuador.

During the event the Brazilian Association (ABF) officially transmitted the WFC General Secretariat to the New Zealand Association (FANZ) which will manage the entity for the next two years.

Ricardo Camargo believes that the Brazilian Association management reached two main goals: allow that new countries from different region manage the council, and the implementation of a new vote system that will enable the council to make more balanced decisions valuing the vote from every country-member.

The next WFC meeting will be in Mexico City during FIF in march. The meeting
will coincide with the first meeting of FIAF in 2012.

FANYF and FIAF members

From left to the right: Ricardo Camargo (FIAF General Secretary), Fabio Tobón Londoño (Icontec Director), Luis Felipe Jaramillo (FANYF President), Camilo Montes (Enterprise Ministry of Commerce Industry and Tourism), Rogério Feijó (ABF) and Mauricio Jaramillo (Gomez Pinzón Zuleta ASEMARCAS Director)

Ricardo Camargo, the General Secretary from FIAF, participated of the 5ª edition of FANYF – Feria Andina de Negocios y Franquicias on September 1st and 2nd in Bogota, Colombia.

The Iberoamerican representative, and executive director from ABF (Brazilian Franchising Association) integrated the group formed by 9 Brazilian Franchising companies that participated of the Brazilian pavilion.

Ricardo Camargo said that the event is getting stronger and important, and that Colombia is becoming one of the most important markets for the franchising in the Latin America.

“This is the third time that I come to the expo, and I´m very excited to see its progress. Luis Felipe Jaramillo is doing a great job. We can also see Bogota´s progress which is investing in the infra structure and preparing itself to become one of the biggest cities in the continent”, affirmed Camargo.

Besides the participation in the Expo, the Brazilian group attended to a meeting with the Colombian government authorities and businessmen, most of them, from shopping centers.

“From the meetings I could realize once again that not only the private sector initiatives, but also the government are involved on the Colombia development. Therefore, the franchising segment can be the greatest beneficiary of such changes, on both: the national and international concepts”, added Ricardo Camargo.

He cited the advancement in the area of copyright and patent registration which may become a reference to the whole region.

During the speech in the opening ceremony of FANYF, Ricardo Camargo, mentioned that this is the right time for the country to organize the franchising system. He affirmed that not only the Iberoamerican entity but also the ABF is available to assist the Colombian government and FENALCO to develop policies to the sector.

Grasiuso e Alfonso Riera, diretor da Câmara Venezuelana de Franquias.

The President from CAUFRAN – Gabriel Grasiuso and Alfonso Riera the director from the Venezuelan Franchising Chamber also had their participated in the event.

FIAF is Present in the Chinese Franchise Expo

The General Secretary from FIAF, Ricardo Camargo, participated of Macao Franchise Expo, from 8 to 10 of July in Macao – Chinese city.

He enjoyed the presence of the Brazilian delegation and took the opportunity to promote the activities of the Ibero American entity by distributing the new FIAF´s folder.

According to Ricardo Camargo, FIAF´s members must take opportunities such as this one to promote the entity´s duties, emphasizing the degree of development of the sector in the Ibero American countries.

Macao is a Portuguese ex- colony that has been going through an incredible economic growth in the past years. Macao has been betting in the tourism industry and entertainment, mainly, in the exploration of casinos (nowadays there are 33 in operation). In 2010, the game revenue has increased three times more than Las Vegas revenue transforming the tiny city of a little more than 550 thousand habitants in an itinerary that attracts more than 2 million tourists a month. And where there are tourists, there are good opportunities for franchise operation development, especially to the activities connected to retailers and service providers.

Finally, the local government jointly with IPIM (Institute of Commerce Promotion and Investments of Macao) intend to attract new franchise concepts and transform the region in an export rampant of franchise business concepts to the rest of China. So, Ricardo Camargo believes that not only Brasil can benefit from such efforts but also the FIAF´s countries.

20ª ABF Franchising Expo 2011

The 20ª ABF Franchising Expo took place from June 08th to 11th, the 20ª in São Paulo.

This year the event hosted 47 thousand visitors who had the opportunity to better know the franchising concepts and services from Brazil and abroad.

ABF Expo 2011

The exhibitors noted the public high quality standards, and the business done in the ABF expo may be around US$ 187 million.

The 420 exhibitors were spread out in 27 thousand square meters in the Expo Center Norte Red Pavilion, and the Expo hosted 15 country-delegations in which some were exhibitors and others guests. It is important to mention that the ABF Expo hosted a group of 45 businessmen from the Dominican Republic and a group of 35 university students from Paraguay.

The 2012 edition is planned to happen on June 13th and 16th in the White and Blue pavilion, and it must reach the 30 thousand square meters and 50 thousand visitors, surpassing the mark of 450 exhibitors. As a result, the ABF Franchising Expo 2012 will turn into the biggest franchising expo in the world.

During the expo, the ABF promoted the International Forum, the speakers were able to present updated information from the markets of South Africa, Greece, Portugal, Australia, United States, Argentina and Germany. Representatives from Ecuador, Canada, Uruguay, Colombia, Spain, and France also attended the event.

From left to the right: William Lessante IFA-U.S.A, Rolf Kirst DFV - Germany, Sotiris Yanakakis GFA – Greece, Alan Branch GFP – Australia, Andreia Jotta – IFF – Portugal, Ricardo Gonzalez AAMF – Argentina, Ricardo Camargo ABF - Brasil

From left to the right: William Lessante IFA – USA, Rolf Kirst DFV – Germany, Sotiris Yanakakis GFA – Germany, Alan Branch GFP – Australia, Andreia Jotta IIF – Portugal, Ricardo Gonzalez AAMF – Argentina

A Federação Ibero Americana de Franquias – FIAF, também estava representada por meio de um estande institucional. As pessoas que visitaram o espaço da entidade receberam informações a respeito da atuação do órgão, que distribuiu o folder e divulgou o Portal da FIAF e os eventos oficiais dos países membros. Paulo Antunes, de Portugal, Julio Bonilla, do Equador, Gabriel Grasiuso, do Uruguai, Luis Felipe Jaramillo, da Colômbia, Andrés Gil-Nogués, da Feria Valencia, Ricardo Gonzaléz, da Argentina, prestigiaram o evento e a FIAF.

The Federación Ibero Americana de Franquicias – FIAF was represented with an institutional booth. The people who visited the booth got valuable information regarding the entity´s role, and they were able to get publicity materials that was being handle by the recepcionist. Paulo Antunes from Portugal, Julio Bonilla from Ecuador, Gabriel Grasiuso from Uruguay, Luis Felipe Jaramillo from Colombia, Andrés Gil- Nogués from Valencia fair, Ricardo Gonzalez from Argentina, all attended to the FIAF´s booth.

FIAF´s booth

Ricardo Camargo, the executive director from ABF and General Secretary from FIAF, explained that the Expo proved that the sector is strongly developing in the country, and he added that this is a reality in other countries, mainly in the Latin America.

Camargo added that there are some differentials adding value to the Expo year by year. He cited the social and environmental responsibility projects and commented that an event such as this needs to have such projects. On this edition, the exhibitors who built their booths thinking on the sustainability concepts were awarded. Also, carbon compensation, and all the recycle garbage collection were a matter of concern of the Expo organizers who for the second time in a role had all the aisles covered with a carpet made of PET 100% recyclable.

Speaker Ricardo Gonzalez from AAMF – Argentina

From left to right: Andrés Gil Nogués SIF&Co – Spain, Julio Bonilla AEF – Ecuador, Luis Jaramillo LFM - Colombia

ABF and Uruguay participated of the Argentina Franchise and Business Expo

ABF and CAUFRAN participated of the 17° Salón Internacional de Franquicias, Licencias, Emprendimientos y Negocios that happened on May 19th and 20th in the Centro e Exposições Costa Salguero, in Buenos Aires.

Ricardo Camargo, executive director from ABF represented Brazil and FIAF while Gabriel Grasiuso from CAUFRAN represented Uruguay. For both representatives, the Expo has gone through some evolution and it is a signal that the Argentinean Franchise sector is doing well.

The expo had a total of 70 booths and hosted 3500 visitors who were able to better understand the national and international concepts. For the FIAF General Secretary, Ricardo Camargo, the Argentinean franchising market is going through a recuperation process, and the numbers may improve even more in the following months. “We´ve participated of the Expo for 5 years, and we can see the evolution of the franchising market, not only with the start of new companies, but also with the increase of networks”, added Camargo.

According to the executive director from AAMF, Lucas Secades, the sector has grown 14% in 2010 and he predicts the same percentage for 2011. Besides, the entity is developing a strategic agreement with an important bank from the country which is creating exclusive services for the franchising sector. Therefore, Secades believes that the sector will have good conditions to get new concepts and widen the capacity of having new networks operating in the region.

AAMF displayed a FIAF institutional booth in a very good location. They also provided a receptionist to FIAF´s booth who distributed the entity´s folder.

From left to right: Lucas Secades – AAMF, Gabriel Grasiuso – CAUFRAN, Ricardo Camargo - ABF

FIAF´s Meeting in Portugal

On May 12th, the Brazilian companies and ABF participated of the presentation - 49 Descobrimentos. The meeting was promoted by Faria de Oliveira Advogados, and the meeting brought businessmen form Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Finland, Italy, Japan and Germany. The purpose of the annual meeting is the exchange of experiences among the countries. The Japanese council of the Japanese embassy in Portugal, Jiro Maruhashi, said that he is convinced that Brazil is the right place to do business. In that occasion, the executive director from ABF, Ricardo Camargo, made a presentation for more than 40 people who got really impressed with the Brazilian Franchising Performance in 2010. Click here to watch video.

On May 13th, occurred the FIAF´s meeting – Federación Ibero-Americana de Franquicias. The meeting hosted representatives from Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Guatemala, Uruguay and Mexico. Among the themes discussed in the meeting there were the FIAF´s statutes reform and a brief market analysis on the countries that were in the meeting. In the evening, the Brazilian group occupied an honorable seat in the franchising-award event. Brazil assisted the Portuguese Franchising Association on the prize-awards.

From left to the right: Carlos Roberts – AMF, Ramón Hernandez – AGF

The President from the Portuguese Franchise Association, Paulo Antunes, spoke of the Portuguese Franchising Performance in 2010 which had a growth of 8,5% in the network numbers, ending the year with 560 brands and 11 thousand store outlets. The revenue had a growth, and it corresponds to 3,2% of the GDP. Today, the sector employs 63.500 people, and it generated 3.500 new job opportunities in 2010.

From left to the right: Rogério Feijó – ABF, Paulo Antunes – APF and Ricardo Camargo – ABF

Antunes believes that the Portuguese Franchising in 2010 was able to grow in all the areas despite the crisis situation and the uncertainties that the market went through. The franchise market was able to go against the tide in economic terms. He also emphasized the growth in the beauty – health segments, and in the financial and real state service segments.
On May 14th, the IFF promoted a seminar with the FIAF´s representative that counted with the participation of the entity´s General Secretary, Ricardo Camargo. The Seminar´s audience was formed by businessmen, journalists, visitors of the Expo, and exhibitors.

From left to the right: Ricardo Camargo – ABF and Trindade Barros

FIAF Participate of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro

During March, 6th and 7th, the General Secretary of FIAF, Ricardo Camargo, jointly with the President from the Uruguayan Franchising Chamber, Gabriel Grasiuso, and the executive director from the Argentinean Association of Brands and Franchising, Lucas Secades, participated of the most famous popular Brazilian party, the Carnaval.

The meeting happened in the APEX-BRASIL cabin, which was assembled right above the “samba Carioca”. The initiative shows an interest of approximation between the countries in which Brazil keeps commercial relations, also the Carnaval event allowed ABF to show their partners how important the Carnaval event is, because it moves the tourism industry of the country, generating jobs and income.

Ricardo Carmargo, took the advantage of this important meeting to discuss important topics that will be discussed in the 11ª ABF Convention during October 02nd to 05th, 2011 in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The event that will have its first international edition will count with the presentation of cases from franchising business in Argentina and Uruguay.

“ We wish to propose a closer approximation between Brazilian businessmen and businessmen from FIAF countries, extending the exchange of information, experiences, and business opportunities” affirmed Ricardo Camargo. On October 7th, the Franchising Uruguayan Chamber and the ABF´s support in Brazil will promote FIFU (International Franchising Expo in Uruguay). All the country-members are invited to participate of the two days events, and we also extend the invitation to the franchising businessmen sector.

ABF and AAMF attended to the most important franchising expo in the United States, the Franchise Expo South, which happened from Jan. 14th to 16th in Miami Beach Convention Center. This edition counted with the participation of 150 expositors, among them franchisors, consultants and providers.

The food segment network attended in high number with emphasis on the concepts of frozen yogurt, sandwiches and pizzas, followed by the services segment such as technical evaluation of real estate and cell phone repairs.

ABF was represented by Rogério Feijó, relationship manager. The AAMF was represented by the entity´s President, Diego Elizarrarás Cerda. Both were invited by the expo organizer – MFV Expo to participate of the opening ceremony, which also counted with the presence of one of the IFA´s executives, Scott Lehr.

The Brazilian participation were very fruitful, generating many contacts with American companies interested in joining the Brazilian market and the Brazilian residents in the United States who are searching for business opportunities in Brazil.

From left to right: Scott Lehr, (Vice President of IFA Nacional and Internacional developing), Rogério Feijó (ABF relationship manager), Diego Elizarrarás Cerda ( President of Mexican Franchising Association) and Thomas Portesy (MFV Expo President)

Differently from Brazil, in the United States there isn´t a large nacional expo, but many regional franchising shows. The same organizer from this specific expo, the MFV Expo, also organizes franchising expos in Los Angeles and Washington. They are more compact expos. We haven´t found large booths, but basic assemblies with very few differences between one booth to another. They give a better focus on a good publicity material, business divulgation, degustation, and samples.

Another important feature from Miami Expo was the massive presence of new brands that are not very well known. These brands are small and medium networks in the American reality context, and through the expo they are able to gain visibility and candidates prospects. According to IFA, in 2010, it was released more than 100 new franchising concepts in the North American Market, and many of these brands used the expos as a market strategy.

Even though, this year, brands such as Arby´s, Jani-King, Sears Home Services, Century 21, Papa Murphy´s and UPS Store were present in the expo and they were very popular among the visitors.

It is not an expo of large flow of people, but the visitors presented a good profile and were very well informed. Comparing with the last year, the amount of visitors was superior, and it represents the sector growth retake.

There was a strong presence of Hispanics, followed by Americans and Brazilians visitors.

According to the MFV Expo President, Thomas Portesy, who is also organizing the United States Pavillion in the ABF Franchising Expo 2011, there is a perspective of 20 to 25 American brands participating in the ABF Franchising Expo 2011.

ABF´s and AAMF´s participation in the South Miami Expo results in a more prominent image of FIAF in the international scenario, and it creates opportunities for the franchising development in the Ibero-American community.

Just as it happened in the previous years, FIAF participated and honored the 21° SIF&Co edition. The traditional franchise expo of Spain and one of the most important in the country happened on the 21st and 23rd of October in Valencia. The Ibero-American entity hosted many people in their institutional booth, and the well elaborated folders were distributed in order to announce the entity goals and country-member information.

From left to right: Eduardo Abadia(Executive director of FIAF, and AEF), Ricardo Camargo (General Secretary of FIAF and Executive Director of ABF) and José Roberto Fernandez (AGF Director).

Differently from the last edition, this expo edition presented the first sector recuperation results in the country. Those results were noticed because of the increase in number of expositors and public visitors.

According to the expo President, Jaime de Ussía, the event had been more optimistic than the last one in 2009 because this event encompassed 30% more expositors than last year. There were a total of 138 brands, originally from 6 countries: Argentina, Spain, France, Portugal, United States, and Uruguay. Jaíme de Ussía adds that the expositors had gotten many new contacts which will generate many new business opportunities in the short run.

Ricardo Camargo, the General Secretary from FIAF and the executive director from ABF afirms that the outcome from this expo edition will be really satisfactory and it is only a matter of time for the sector to get back to a relevant position in the country´s economy.

SIF&Co also promoted the Spanish Franchising Prize event called – Premios Nacionales de la Franquicia – which honored 5 different categories for best performance in 2010.

From the left tp the right: Xavier Vallhorant LLurba ( President of the Spanish Franchising Association), Jaime de Ussía (President of SIF&Co), Inmaculada Santainés (SIF & Co Director), Ricardo Camargo (General Secretary of FIAF) and Jesus Garcia Valcare Commercial Director from Valencia.

During the SIF&Co event occurred the second annual meeting from FIAF. The meeting gathered representatives from 11 country-members: Argentina, Brasil, Colombia, Spain,Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The meeting brought up updates issues of the political and economic situation on these countries. Besides, the country-members were able to discuss important issues from the franchise sector.

During the meeting, the FIAF´s members confirmed that FIAF´s headquarter will have its continuity in Valencia. It demonstrates that once again SIF&Co has a compromise to continue sponsoring the development of the franchise sector in the Ibero-American region.

The next meeting will be in May, 2011 in Portugal due to the Expofranchise Lisboa.

Gastronomy Franchises Pavillion – Exposición Park, Lima – Perú – September 2010

Lima, September 13th,2010 – CPF (Peruvian Franchises Chamber), an organization that focuses on the interest of the franchising sector in Peru, jointly with the Peru Commission and Promotion support to the export and tourism sector – PROMPERÚ, announce the ending of their great participation in the Tercera Feria Gastronômica International de Lima (3° International Gastronomy Expo in Lima), MISTURA 2010. The expo counted with the presence of 8 Gastronomy companies.

CPF offers the best of the gastronomy through the restaurants: Chinawork, El Escondite del Gordo, El Rocoto, La Gran Fruta, Las Canastas, Matsuei, Mis Costillitas and Pardo´s Chicken. At the same time, the people could exchange information about franchising business models, franchising normative, and benefits.

There were not only Peruvian participants, but also foreigners from Chile, China, Japan, Brasil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peruvians who have residence in the United States. All of them showed interested on taking restaurant franchises to the country in which they live.

Business System

Daniel Manrique, CPF President, comments that the accomplishments were: better contact with the participants, and the supply of information on the proposal of value and meaning of the franchising business system. This is the same proposal that has been formed by the main economic segments in the country; it also represents an important work source, and a flagship product in the international area. “The participants were able to understand about the advantages and low risk of opening a business that is already in the market”, explains the businessman.

(Left-Right) Juan C. Castrillon, Miguel Castillo, Blanca Chávez , Daniel Manrique (Presidente CPF), Giorgio Robinson (CPF Coordinador).

About 200 thousand people attended to the recognized Peruvian Gastronomy Expo, and the most successful dish in the Gastronomy Franchises Pavilion was, “ Costillas a la BBQ” from Mis Costillitas and the famous “Makis” from Matsuei, which got 2,500 orders per day. Next was the favorite “Pollo en la Brasa” from Las Canastas and Pardo Chicken. The traditional “Rocoto Relleno” from the arequipeño restaurant, El Rocoto which focuses on the internacional cuisine including special preparation criolla dishes, the dishes from the South, and the traditional dishes from Lima.

During August 11th and 12th there was a successful celebration in one of the most prestigious hotels from Guatemala, the 1° International Comercial Mission, “Progresso e Franquias 2010”, (term meaning: Sustainable Society Programs based on the advantages of the Franchising Systems)

During these 2 days, the 500 participants of the meeting had the opportunity to develop market analysis projects and new community support plans that were extracted from the principles and experiences of the local and international franchising systems. Such results were possible because the participants attended to Specialized Conferences and an Exposition Center.

Among the participants of the event, it was possible to notice a large number of entrepreneurs, investors, university students, auditors, representatives from the Industrial and Commerce Chamber of different countries, important personalities from FIAF (Federação Ibero-Americana de Franquias), bank representatives, government personnel, and the notary presence of the most active franchisors who used the forum to promote their intentions of growth in the Central America territory.

The predicted results from the meeting is a better condition establishment to new strategies and tendencies which will contribute to an effective and quick inclusion of our region and a safe Globalization process providing “oportunidades de desenvolvimento sustentável” (sustainable development opportunities), better job opportunities, human development, and a more prosper society that treats the natural resources and environment more respectfully.

The Conferences were presented by international expositors and the societies were:

• Industry

• Banks

• Food

• Investments

• Students and Entrepreneurship

The government jointly with entrepreneurs and franchisors attempt to give support to the community and sustainability process. Therefore, both share experience in the areas of Responsibility and Sustainability (AFRAS – Associação de Franquia Sustentável – Brasil). Also, they point some solutions for the wealth distribution based on productive systems of micro franquias presented by Acofra from Costa Rica.

The event was organized by AGF, and the supporters and participants of the event were:

FIAF, ABF, AFRAS, BRASIL, AAMF, AMF, the Secretary of Mexico Economy, the United States Embassy (through their retail office), ACOFRA, the Economy and Industry of Costa Rica, the Industry Chamber of Guatemala, AGEXPORT, the Economy Ministry of Guatemala and the prestigious AGF members and their sponsors.

Post – Event projections

• 10% growth in the Central America Franchising industry.

• Guatemala candidature approval to become the 3° Ibero-American country to acquire rights in the AFRAS Program in Brasil, standing right behind Argentina.

• Discussions to participate and include Guatemala to BID financial programs, Guatemala inclusion to local government financial programs, and private banks that provide finance support that will facilitate the growth of local franchise industry.

• Guatemala will participate and coordinate topics about Central America and the Caribbean published in the next Catalogo de Marca e Franquias da América Latina edition.

• Strategic Alliance of the AGF internet portal www.guatefranquicias.com with the most important commercial internet portals of Latin America

• AGF orientation and support to the foundation of the El Salvador and Honduras Franchising Associations, and also Costa Rica which is intending to fill all the requisites required by FIAF. These requisites promote a good conduction, and ethics code which bring better stability to the franchisors and investors of this or other areas.

• Finally, better perspective to the entrepreneurship programs to the young people and PYMES (small and middle enterprises) of the region.

FANYF took place on July 08th and 09, 2010, in Bogotá, Colombia.

FANYF is the largest franchises exposition event in the country nowadays, and it has been showing considerably growth year after year in the number of expositors, increasing the number of stands from 60 in 2009 to 90 in 2010, which means, a growth of 50%, being 36 stands, or 40% of the total, international brand users, coming from Venezuela, Brasil, Spain, Guatemala, USA, etc.

According to Ricardo Camargo, FIAF´s general secretary and ABF´s executive director, “FANYF is an event that is wresting along the years, and FANYF is counting with the participation of many international brands that attract a high quality public”. Besides, Camargo noted that during FANYF 2010 there was an improvement in the booths quality. There was a deeper concern from the expositor companies with the presentation of their concepts to Colombian investors.

ABF considers Colombia the best Latin American country to the international expansion of Brazilian franchises. FIAF also participated in the event, and it had its own booth, where visitors could get information about the entity´s role.

Besides the exposition there was the International Franchises Symposium (Simpósio Internacional de Franquias) that brought together specialists from the franchises sector, and these specialists were able to present cases and characteristics of the sector to a public that showed high interest in the issue. At that time, Ricardo Camargo, who represents FIAF and ABF, accompanied by Mr. Alejandro Giraldo from FENALCO, authorities from the Colombian government, Mr. Luis Felipe Jaramillo from FANYF, Mr. Gabriel Grasiuso from Uruguayan Franchises Chamber (Cámara Uruguaya de Franquicias), and Mr. José Antonio Bodega from Spanish Association of Franchisors (Associação Espanhola de Franqueadores), participated of the opening ceremony.

FIAF once again participated in the ABF Franchising Expo which occurred from June 09th to 12th, 2010 in São Paulo. FIAF had an institutional booth, and the booth received many visitors interested on the franchising system in the Ibero-American region.

The FIAF´s booth hosted renowned names from the Ibero-American franchising business such as Mr. Ramón Hernandez and José Roberto Fernández, respectively the President and director of the Ecuatorian Franchisors Association (Asociación Ecuatoriana de Franquiciadores –AEDEF), Mr. Luis Felipe Jaramillo, FANYF´s President, Mr. Gabriel Grasiuso, Uruguayan Franchises Chamber (Cámara Uruguaya de Franquicias), Mr. Daniel Hermida, HS Events´ President, official organizers of the Argentinean franchising expo, and Mr. Roberto Russo, publish director of Argentinean Catalogue of Brands and Franchises (Catálogo Argentino de Marcas & Franquicias), responsible for the Official Argentinean Franchising guide publication.

The ABF expo 19° edition has received more than 42 thousand visitors during the 4 days of exposition. According to Ricardo Bomeny, ABF President, the first day of the exposition received 10% more visitors when compared to the previous year.

The visitors have acknowledged 330 investments opportunities in a great range of segments and in different regions, including franchises from Guatemala, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, United States, among others. The prediction is that the business volume will be around U$57 million. “As a consequence this volume post expo will increase significantly”, added Ricardo Camargo, ABF executive director.

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The 4° International Uruguay Franchise Expo happened on May 18th, 2010, Montevideo, in the Radisson Victoria Plaza Hotel.  The event hosted more than 600 people, and it had the support of the Franchise Uruguayan Chamber, the national and international franchise institutions participation.

Representatives and companies from Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, United States, Venezuela and Brasil participated in the event.  Moreover, such countries counted with 24 expositors, and presented conferences and businesses rounds.

During the Franchising and Business Expo 2010 (Franquicias y Negocios 2010) happened the 1° FIAF Annual meeting ( Ibero-American Fanchises Federation ). In the meeting had attended the representatives from 10 countries: Argentina, Brasil, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala and Uruguay. The meeting was important to understand the situation of the Ibero-American countries, and the meeting final draft concluded that the franchising sector is doing well in the Ibero-American markets, with great indicators of growth. The general secretary of FIAF, Mr. Ricardo Camargo ran the meeting and highlighted the Argentinean numbers, which showed that the franchising business is re conquering its space and importance in the country.

Franchising and Business 2010 (Franquicias y Negocios 2010) numbers show a growth of more than 4.000 assistants and 69 expositors in the pavilion 1 from Centro Costa Salguero. The sample registered growth of 30% when compared to the last edition.

The President of the Argentinean Association of Brands and Franchising (Asociación Argentina de Marcas y Franquicias –AAMF), Gabo Nazar, declared that he intends to associate more members in 2011. “Today we count with 100 members and we will double this number in the next year. Our aspiration goal is to keep growing in quantity and quality, and we are waiting for all of you in the next Franchising and Business (Franquias y Negocios)”, added the entity chairman.

“We keep working for the development of brands and franchises in Argentina, therefore we are creating working committees in many areas and sectors. We invite all companies to join and get closer to our home, the same way we invite the investors who want to be part of this commercial system”, emphasized Lucas Secades, Executive Director of AAMF.

“We are pleased because we have received a high quality public, and great business opportunity. Moreover, 80% of the expositors confirmed their participation for the next event that will take place on May 12th and 13th , 2011”, declared Daniel H. Hermida, HS events director ( the responsible company for organizing the XVI International Franchising, Licenses, Enterprise and Business Salon).

During April 14 to 24, 2010, the General Secretary of FIAF – Ricardo Camargo, the Relationship Manager of the Brazilian Franchise Association, Rogério Feijó, and the Executive Director of the Guatemalteca Franchise Association participated of a prospective mission to Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Guatemala. That was the second visit of the entity to the region, whose objective of this mission was to know the market of Dominican Republic and El Salvador, because in October 2009, the group had already visited Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panamá to identify opportunities to the franchise sector.

These five countries together are parte of an important economic block of the region, representing more than 37 million inhabitants and a GDP around US$ 160 billion. These countries crossed years of military period, political and economic instability and now are searching for recover the lost years investing in a structured development, based in a young democracy, but compromised with the population interests. And it is in this process which has the opportunities for the companies, being franchises or not, because they are forgotten markets and low exploited, but with a great potential of consumption.

Open Mall Gran Via

Normally they are countries which offer low competitiveness, low level in the retail organization, shows difficulties to generate employments, revenue and professional qualification. Besides, they have an economy in developing, linked to the tourism industry, export of raw materials and services, as an example, telemarketing. Another common point in these countries is dependence on remittances made by migrants living in other countries, mostly in U.S. and Europe. The amount of funds injected into the economy moving retail and just easing the unemployment problem, since many families live on money sent by relatives.

El Salvador

The agenda focused mainly contacts with government agencies and local entrepreneurs, complemented by technical visits in each country.

FIAF was present in the first edition of the RECon Latin America 2009, Annual Convention promoted by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), which was held in October 26-29 in Panama City, Panama, being represented by its General Secretary, Ricardo Camargo.

FIAF’s booth in RECon Latin America 2009.

Beside the participation as an attendee, Camargo presented a seminar on the franchise opportunity in the Shopping Centers and the economic overview about the Latin American region. The entity had an institutional booth, where it could present more details about the work of the Federation and distribute its divulgation materials. The Brazilian (ABF) and Mexican (AMF) Associations were present too with booths.

Ricardo Camargo, FIAF’s General Secretary, shows a seminar on the importance of the franchise for the shopping centers

The event was a great opportunity to establish some contacts with important groups of shopping centers in many countries.

ABF and AMF booth in Recon Latin America 2009

During his staying in Panama, Ricardo Camargo had the opportunity to speak about the FIAF’s actions in the Iberian American countries for a very renowned newspaper of Panama, the Capital.

Camargo gives interview to Hitler Cigarruista, from the newspaper Capital - Panama.

FIAF was present with an institutional stand in the 20th edition of the SIF&Co, traditional franchise fair in Spain and one of the most important in the country, which was held from October 15th to 17th.

This year, the expo showed the signals of the crisis in which the country is crossing, with a reduction of the exhibitor number, but in its first day received a good public. However, the organizers are optimist and they bet in the recovery of the growth from the second semester of 2010, which will impact positively in the next edition of the expo. A prove is that the SIF&Co renewed its support to FIAF and confirmed through its director Inmaculada Santaines the continuation of the Valencian Fair as the official seat of the Iberian American entity for the next two years.

During the event occurred the second annual meeting of the FIAF, which has detached the re-election of Ricardo Camargo as General Secretary of the entity, by unanimity, for the next two years.

Another important happening was the acceptance of the Membership Propose of Uruguay, which became the 11th country member of the FIAF. The other countries are: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Portugal and Venezuela. Besides Uruguay, the Law Office Poblete & Cabrera (México) and the Spain Consulting SDEYF Group had their membership propose validated as Supplier members.

According Ricardo Camargo, the permanence of the FIAF’s seat in Valencia shows the commitment and support of the SIF&Co with the development of the Iberian American Franchising and the coming of Uruguay as member fortify the entity each time more, increasing its representativeness and stimulating the entry of new countries of the region

The next meeting will be held in May 2010, in Portugal or in Argentina.

From left to right:
On foot: Juan Malo Jaramillo (Ecuador), Luis Kiser (Peru), Rogério Feijó (Brazil), José Fernandez (Guatemala), Lucas Secades (Argentina), Paulo Antunes (Portugal), Ricardo Camargo (Brazil), Paola Sordo (México), Alejandro Giraldo (Colombia), Tatiana Cruz (Portugal), Xavier Vallhonrat (Spain) and Eduardo Abadia (Spain).
Down: Carlos Roberts (México), Trindade Barros (Portugal), Alfonso Riera (Venezuela), Ferenz Feher (México), Eduardo Tormo (Spain) e Juan Gallastegui (México).

The FIAF participated of the 3rd Feria Andina de Negocios y Franquicias (FANYF) which happened from September 9th through 10th in the Convention Center Gonzalo Jiménez Quesada, in Bogota – Colombia. The event has been growing gradual and gains projection in the Franchise Latin American scene.

From left to right: Alejandro Giraldo - FENALCO; Alfonso Riera – Venezuelan Franchise Chamber, Eduardo Poblete – Mexican Franchise Association, Ricardo Camargo – FIAF and ABF, Luis Felipe Jaramillo – FANYF, Carlos Canudas – Argentinean Franchise Association, Luis Kiser – Peruvian Franchise Chamber and Gabriel Grasiuso – Uruguayan Franchise Chamber.

The Colombian market shows great possibilities for the international franchising, because the country offers political and economic stability, beside of a population with high cultural level and eager for news, mainly in the food, services and fashion areas.

There is a great concentration of Commercial centers and a retail in fast growth, which open space for new companies to enter in this market. Colombia is part of the Iberian American Franchise Federation (FIAF) since March of this year, in an effort of the sector to organize the franchise system in the country.

The FANYF received around 4000 visitors in its two presentation days and count on 70 stands, detaching one institutional for FIAF. Ricardo Camargo, FIAF’s General Secretary, invited by the fair organizers and the FENALCO, represented the entity making a lecture about the Worldwide Scene of the Franchise in Recession times and participated of the International Franchise Panel, where debated with represent of other countries

Camargo believes that Colombia is nowadays one of the Latin American countries which offer more opportunities to the expansion of the franchise networks, meeting around 10 cities with excellent business potential.

FIAF participated of the 18th ABF Franchising Expo, which happens from June 17th to 20th, with an institutional stand, in which received more than 300 interested in the franchise system of the Iberian American region.

From left to right: Julio Bonilla (AEDEF); Ricardo Camargo (ABF); Luciana (hostess); and Rogério Feijó (ABF).

With a new layout presentation, the FIAF’s stand had the presence of Julio Bonilla, Vice President of the Ecuadorian Franchisors Association (AEDEF), Carlos Roberts, President of the Mexican Franchise Association, and Ferenz Feher, Mexican consultant, besides the participation of Ricardo Bomeny, President of ABF and Ricardo Camargo, Executive Director of ABF and General Secretary of the FIAF.

The 18ª ABF Franchising Expo, which finished in the last Saturday (06/20), received around 39 thousand people interested in opening the own business. The public of the event met more than 260 investment opportunities in many business segments, profiles and regions.

According to the Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF), the expectancy is that the amount of generated business be around US$ 15 million, over passing the expectancy divulged before the event of 14 million. `In the first day of the event we registered an increase of 22% of the visitors interested in opening a franchise, consequently the business amount, after the expo, will increase significantly’, say the ABF’s Executive Director, Ricardo Camargo.

FIAF Board of Directors – Mexico City 2009 From left to right: Ricardo Bomeny, president of ABF; Julio Bonilla,
vice president of AEDEF; Xavier Patiño, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Cuenca

With the reason of strengthening the development of the franchising in Latin America, supported by IADB (Inter-American Development Bank), which develops incentive projects for the sector, the ABF (Brazilian Franchise Association) and the AEDEF (Ecuadorian Franchisors Association) signed last June 19th a convention to promote the interchange of information and relationship between the franchise in this two countries.

The convention was signed by the ABF’s president, Ricardo Bomeny, the vice president of the AEDEF, Julio Bonilla and by the vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Cuenca, Xavier Patiño.

Seminary about the franchising in the Iberian American countries – SIF&Co – Valencia – 2008


FIAF Board of Directors visits the Brazilian Franchise Association – ABF – Sao Paulo – 2008


FIAF Board of Directors - Sao Paulo – 2008


Spanish Franchise Awards Ceremony (AEF – SIF&Co.) – Valencia – October 25^th, 2007.

FIAF Board of Directors – Valencia – 2007

 
Seminary about the franchising in the Iberian American countries – SIF&Co – Valencia – 2007
 

• Promote, diffuse and foment the development of the franchise system in the particular ambit of the countries members and of the whole Iberian American area.
   

• Promote and help the development of the franchises of the associations members in the distinct countries in the Iberian American area.
   

• Fight for a permanent respect and defense of the intellectual property rights involved in the distinct franchises to each one of the countries members, as well as to held actions that is considered as needed to make effective such defense.
   

• Promote and held studies, analysis and investigations about the franchising and its specifics characteristics in the Iberian American region.
   

• Propitiate and keep, by the conduct of the members, relations with the governments of the Iberian American region to foment the development of the legislation which protect the intellectual properties linked to the franchises and which foment and defend the development of the franchise system.
   

• Establish and keep relations with the World Franchise Council, with the international federations of franchise and with the national franchise associations not members of the FIAF.
   

• Represent the associations members in face of the private and public organisms which lead knowledge, expertise and perfection in the franchise system, with the objective of giving assessorial and collaboration in the themes of its competence, whatever directly or throughout the association members.
   

• Organize information’s interchanges and documentation among the members, as well as to organize events which bring benefits to the franchise system.
   

• Promote, orientate and collaborate with the constitution of the franchise national associations which is countries of the Iberian American area where it not exists or it is not being structured.

• Defend the deontological principles.
   

• Promote and stimulate the training, diffusion, investigation and development of the franchise system.