Event Summary:

The U.S. Commercial Service and the China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA) jointly organized a U.S. Pavilion at the 2006 Shanghai International Franchise Exhibition (SIFE) from August 25-27, 2006 at Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center. Nine U.S. companies presented well-known American franchise brands. The Show was very successful and exhibiting U.S. companies all expressed satisfaction with their participation.

Most of the exhibitors in the U.S. Pavilion have entered the China market. They were looking for sub-franchisees or joint venture partners to expand their presence in major and even 2nd-tier cities. The nine American companies presented franchising concepts that covered a wide range of categories, from food and restaurant, economy hotel, retail to real estate. Especially with the participation of Papa John’s Pizza, Subway and Super 8, the U.S. Pavilion attracted thousands of visitors in all three days. It was a great opportunity for all of the companies to market their products and brands. They developed hundreds of valuable leads, found many potential franchisees and had three letters of intent signed through the show. All of them expressed high appreciation for the Commercial Service’s support and rated our service as outstanding.

The U.S. Pavilion exhibitors particularly appreciated the additional services provided by CS Shanghai, such as the pre-show marketing campaign, business counseling and meeting with high-ranking government officials. Within two months before the show began, CS Shanghai posted the information regarding the U.S. Pavilion onto three websits and sent out three hundred invitations and promotion materials to local government officials, business leaders, local and expat business associations and major media companies. The value-added services helped the U.S. exhibitors to generate more successes. PCO Kasoff with Ms Guo, Chairperson of CCFA jointly walked the U.S. Pavilion and met with company representatives.

Principal Commercial Officer Ira Kasoff together with five staff, including Commercial Representative Tara Qu, Commercial Specialist Scott Yao, Shen Yan Commercial Specialist from Beijing, Event Coordinator Ken Shen and Commercial Clerk Jerry Qian participated the show.