FranExcel, the international franchise marketing, training and consultancy firm based in Dubai, and backed by franchise executives with more than 50 years combined franchise experience, is to organize the inaugural World Franchise Forum 2009, which will take place in Dubai in March 2009.
 
 Speaking on the event, FranExcel Managing Director, Gareth Parry, said, "We are so pleased to be working alongside International Expo-Consults, the orgainsers of the Franchising Middle East Exhibition (FME) in organising and running the World Franchise Forum, which will run concurrently with the growing exhibition, which is now into its 6th year. Dubai is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic cities in the world and where better to stage such a prestigious world-class conference, which will bring together some of the world’s leading franchise exponents.”

Parry added, “The conference will take place on the 2-3 March 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre and will feature a world-class speaker faculty, including a line-up of international franchise company CEO’s, as well as interactive sessions to cater for all levels of experience in the franchise industry. The conference will fully complement the exhibition, which offers international franchisors the opportunity to showcase their franchise brands to an audience drawn from across the whole Middle East. The event will offer unparalleled networking opportunities for franchise executives from across the world.”
 
 With the franchise industry already growing at more than 20% per annum, the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the GCC region is a fertile market for franchise companies to expand into. The Forum will highlight the current regional and global market landscape, as well as look at all the opportunities that lie ahead, whilst presenting the latest regulatory issues, legal frameworks, sales & marketing opportunities and will give the audience the opportunity to gain direct insight from some of the world’s most successful franchise companies.
 
 During the current economic climate, franchising is seen as a lower-risk and longer-term investment vehicle and the Forum will also address the key operational issues and strategic planning needed to succeed in these uncertain times.
 
 The event is being supported by the International Franchise Association (IFA) and is presented by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, the SME development organization in the UAE.
 
 The Call for Papers for the conference program is currently under way and any interested companies or individuals who wish to speak at the event should contact FranExcel for more information.
 
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 Notes to Editors
 
 FranExcel is headquartered in Dubai and is a global franchise marketing, consultancy and training company, with combined industry knowledge of more than 50 years and branch offices, associates and partners in 30 countries, serving customers in more than 45 markets. FranExcel also conducts franchise infrastructure programs for governments, assists with the drafting of franchise legislation, provides market-leading consultancy programs and offers dedicated investment advisory services in the franchise sector.
 
 Contact: Gareth Parry, Managing Director – Tel: +971 4 367 8290, Fax: +9714 367 2651, Email: md@franexcel.com , Website: www.franexcel.com