Trade shows are back in Miami. This weekend’s Franchise Expo has 1,500 signed up
One of the first trade shows held in Miami since the COVID-19 pandemic began is coming to town this weekend.
Franchise Expo is open to the public at the Miami Airport Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday. As of Thursday, more than 1,500 attendees had registered, according to event manager Ted O’Shea.
“All wanting to start businesses in South Florida,” O’Shea said.
The show kicked off Friday with a trade day featuring 72 franchise brands.
The public expo will feature educational seminars for those interested in starting a franchise. Attendance is free for those who pre-register and $29 at the door. Masks are required, and there will be sanitation stations throughout the expo hall, O’Shea said.
The pandemic has tanked the conventions and meetings business that makes up a large part of Miami’s hotel bookings and overall tourism industry. The Miami Beach Convention Center will be hosting its first visiting convention business on March 22 with the JIS Convention of jewelers and on April 30-May 3 with the Aesthetic Society meetings.
This story was originally published March 13, 2021 at 2:58 PM.
