PARAMUS, N.J., Oct. 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a move to Anaheim, increasing awareness of franchising as a lucrative avenue to business ownership, and an improving economy, the 2012 debut of the West Coast Franchise Expo in Anaheim was the perfect venue to relocate the leading franchise event in the west, according to show organizers. Over 180 exhibitors showcased their concepts and products to an estimated three day attendance of 8,763 visitors. Held from October 12-14 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, the west's largest franchise event attracted an extremely qualified audience for three days of lead generation, education and networking.
This year's WCFE hosted more than 70 first time exhibitors attracted by a change in location after 8 years in Los Angeles and encouraged by the desire to expand in southern California and throughout the region. Many past WCFE franchisors reported meeting and speaking with extremely qualified show visitors who had the access to capital and the desire to be in business for themselves.
"The West Coast Franchise Expo has been a great show for Firehouse Subs," said Greg Delks director of franchise development at Firehouse, "we really work the show - we sent invitations to our best prospects and we scheduled meetings at the expo. We're new to California and we met great prospects at WCFE. We expect to open 10-15 restaurants in the west over the next twelve months. We've already booked our space for WCFE 2013!"
Media attendance and coverage of WCFE included: KTLA, OC Metro Minute, CNNMoney.com, Entrepreneur.com, 1851 Franchise Magazine, Franchise Times, Money Magazine, Fortune Magazine, USA Today, Univision, WS Radio, The Wall Street Journal in addition to KFWB's Business Rockstars Live on the expo floor. MFV Expositions, the show's producers, ramped up their marketing efforts with new radio and television ads,new in-market partnerships and a better media buy to increase awareness of the new and improved WCFE.
"The move to Anaheim came after a considerable amount of market research and exhibitor feedback," said Tom Portesy, President and CEO of MFV Expositions. "Leaving Los Angeles, or any market after eight years, is difficult and always done with trepidation but like our move from DC to NYC for the International Franchise Expo, we are absolutely delighted with the results. Having been in this business for thirty years and being witness to the kind of growth we've experienced is truly remarkable. It was another great weekend for franchising, the International Franchise Association and MFV Expositions."
For more information about the West Coast Franchise Expo and to find out more for next year's show, please visit www.WCFExpo.com.
For over 20 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 your franchise, MFV also offers access to online franchise opportunities through web-based resources, lead management tools and solutions for generating sales.
The MFV Expositions Logo logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=15394