The much-awaited Franchise Asia Philippines (FAPHL) 2023 International Conference opens, with the attendees expected to gain fresh ideas that will inspire them to start embracing innovations, adapting to changing trends, and elevating their businesses as soon as they emerge from the well-curated plenary and breakout sessions.
Joseph Tanbuntiong, the Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 Overall Chair, said local and foreign experts will cover a wide range of topics that will arm conference attendees with new tools that will be crucial in navigating and succeeding in the ever-evolving landscape of franchising in the country.
"In this year's conference, the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) embodies the core principles of strengthening, growing, and advocating for the franchising sector. By serving as a hub for collaboration, education, and expansion opportunities, the conference plays a crucial role in supporting the advancement of the franchising industry in the Philippines, both domestically and internationally," Tanbuntiong noted.
Powerhouse speakers on Day 1 of Conference
This year’s conference will be opened with a keynote speech from Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who will discuss the Department of Finance’s outlook and prospects for the national economy during his speech.
Another notable speaker during the opening will be Go Negosyo Founder, Private Sector Advisory Council Lead for Jobs and Luzon Representative of the MSME Development Council of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Joey Concepcion, III, who will discuss the government’s plans and programs for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The Conference will also offer a curated line-up of highly dynamic plenary sessions as well as peer-to-peer business roundtable discussions.
The Franchise Asia Philippines International Conference promises to be a unique learning experience with the business solution roundtable discussions featuring a total of 34 topics, each catering to specific groups within the franchising sector such as franchisors and franchisees. There are also roundtables for those interested in international expansion as well as a diverse range of general topics such as digital tools and solutions, customer retention, engagement and loyalty, and social media marketing, hybrid work model.
The plenary sessions will focus on how franchise businesses can remain relevant in the ever-changing social, technological, and economic landscape of the world in line with this year’s them of Franchising Fast Forward.
The first session, the Future of Franchising, will feature Dr. Benjamin Litalien, Founder and Principal of Franchise Well Consulting, discussing outlook, prospects, and opportunities in the global franchising world as well as best practices in sustainability.
Another plenary session will focus consumer behavior trends in 2023 and beyond and will be led by Boston Consulting Group (BCG)’s Julian Cua.
The Conference will also feature one of two (2) Great Debate Forums. Day 1’s forum will be an insightful discussion on whether aggregators such as third-party marketplaces or in-house integrated omnichannel solutions such as ERP, POS, e-Commerce solutions and fleet/riders management would best serve customers better. Experts from Grab Philippines and Army Navy are set to represent the aggregators side while the in-house proponents will be representatives from Shakey’s and McDonald’s Philippines.
Meanwhile, a panel of experts will discuss the impact of technologies such as blockchain, NFT, Metaverse, Web 3.0, e-Commerce innovations, omnichannel and other digital innovations to businesses and how it can affect the SMEs in the fourth session entitled the Future of Digital World and Its Impact on SMEs. Distinguished speakers from Google, the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, Lazada Philippines and Retail Associates are set to grace a stage for this discussion.
A gathering of franchising titans
The Conference will also be a historic opportunity to put on a single stage some of the titans of the Filipino franchising community at the CEO Forum: Franchising Fast Forward. CEO panelists from 7-Eleven, McDonald’s Philippines, and Max’s Group are set to share the stage discussing thought leadership on how they are preparing their companies and brands for the future and moving fast forward in a fast-changing environment. The CEO Forum promises to be a learning opportunity for participants of the Conference as the CEOs of these successful brands share best practices on sustainability.
12 well-curated breakout sessions on Day 2
In the breakout sessions on Day 2, Tanbuntiong said participants will delve into thought-provoking discussions and gain valuable insights from high-level speakers who are experts and icons in their respective fields. Each session has been strategically crafted to address key aspects of doing business and franchising in the Philippines, with the ultimate goal of business development and fostering global readiness.
Here are some of the notable track sessions that will be explored on Day 2 of the International Franchise Conference:
Track 1: "Traditional vs Non-Traditional Locations: Where to Expand Your Business"
● Engage in a thought-provoking discussion on market expansion strategies through traditional brick-and-mortar stores or non-traditional digital platforms. Gain insights from industry experts and thought leaders. Speakers include Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls, John-Michael Hilton, Founder & CEO of Koomi, Mr. Eric B. Bataga, Chief Executive Officer of Pick.A.Roo, and Mr. Michael Conti Martinez, VP, Business & Project Development of Conti’s Bakeshop & Restaurant and Wendy’s Philippines.
Track 2: Data Track: "Storing, Managing and Utilizing Your Data for Decision-Making"
● Learn effective methods for storing, managing, and utilizing data to generate valuable business intelligence reports. Discover how cloud technology can be leveraged to ensure sustainability and maximize the use of data for informed decision-making. Speakers include Mr. Weddy Diamada, Manager - Deals and Corporate Finance of PwC Phils. (Isla Lipana & Co.), and Mr. Francis Adrian H. Viernes, CFA, MSF, CCREP, AVP for Data Analytics of Megaworld Corporation.
Track 3: Franchise Track: "Preparing For the Future: Strategies and Prospects"
● Gain valuable thought leadership on how franchise companies are preparing for the future. Explore strategies to sustain, protect, and drive the growth of your franchise business amidst evolving market dynamics. Speakers include Mr. Steve D. Benitez, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Bo’s Coffee, and Dr. Alan Escalona, CFE, President and CEO of Pure Nectar.
Track 4: General Track: "Future Workplace Trends to Watch For"
● Get a glimpse of emerging workplace trends and identify new opportunities that will shape the future of work. Stay ahead of the curve by understanding the changing landscape of the workplace. Speakers include Atty. Frederic B. Landicho, Managing Partner & CEO of Deloitte Philippines, and Mr. Lars Wittig, ASEAN & S.Korea Country Manager and Sales Vice President of International Workplace Group (IWG).
Track 5: Legal Track: "How to Protect Your Brand: IP, Trademark, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy"
● Stay updated on the latest information regarding intellectual property (IP), trademarks, cybersecurity, and data privacy to safeguard your brand. Gain insights into legal measures and best practices for brand protection. Speakers include Atty. Reena Mitra-Ventanilla, Partner of Intellectual Property, Data, and Technology Practice Group Quisumbing Torres, and Mr. Frits Gerald M. Enriquez, Project Manager, IT Advisory in Risk Consulting of KPMG Philippines (R.G. Manabat & Co.).
Track 6: Technology Track: "How AI Will Change Your Business"
● Discover the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in various business aspects, including retail, marketing, and customer service. Explore how leveraging AI can enhance business operations, reduce costs, and improve profitability. Speakers include Mr. Rowen Untivero, Chairman and CEO of KinetX, Mr. Ralph Vincent Regalado, CEO & President of Senti Techlabs, Inc., Mr. Galex Cabrera, Business Development Director of Kantar Insights Philippines, Ms. Abba Tan, Senior Solution Area Specialist for Data and AI of Microsoft Philippines.
Track 7: Digital Track: "Driving Digital Innovations: How it Can Help Grow Your Business"
● Explore the latest digital innovations and learn about successful digital transformations that have driven business growth and sustainability. Discover how to harness the power of digital technologies to expand your business effectively. Speakers include Mr. Riccardo “Ritchie” C. Fong, Assistant Vice President and Head, Business Development and Industry Consulting of PLDT Enterprise, and Mr. Dennis Dimaunahan, Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of Wendy’s Phils.
Track 8: Franchise Track: "Planning Your Network Expansion"
● Dive into discussions on different expansion strategies in franchising, such as clustering, area development, regional, and territorial approaches. Gain valuable insights into planning and executing effective network expansion strategies. Speakers include Mr. Troy Franklin, Managing Partner of World Franchise Associates Ltd., and Mr. Minodh De Sylva, Director, and Chief Business Officer (Asia & Middle East) of Island Tea Co. & Ceylon Coffee Club.
Track 9: HR Track: "HR Innovation Strategies"
● Explore innovative HR strategies to attract, retain, and engage employees amidst the intensifying competition for talent. Learn about winning approaches that drive employee recruitment, retention, and engagement. Speakers include Ms. Lydia Lily G. Quintans, AFPM, CTRP, Managing Director & Senior Consultant and Lead Interventions for Teams, Inc. (LIFT) and Board Secretary of People Management Association of the Phils. (PMAP), and Ms. Marielle Santos, Chief Human Resouce (HR) Officer - CHRO, Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI) and General Manager/Chief Adventurer, Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken, and Sauce Bar.
Track 10: Marketing Track: "Customer Engagement Strategies To Brand Loyalty"
● Understand customer behavior and learn effective customer relationship management (CRM) strategies to engage customers and foster brand loyalty. Discover how to create synergy between traditional local store marketing (LSM) and digital marketing campaigns. Speakers include Mr. Sy Bryan Lato, President of the Philippine Marketing Association, and Ms. Merlee Cruz-Jayme, Creative Consultant and ChairMom.
Track 11: Operations Track: "Setting Up Operational Excellence Audits"
● Discover best practices for conducting operational audits that uphold brand standards and ensure franchisee compliance with the franchise system. Gain insights into how operational excellence audits can drive business success. Speakers include Ms. Hsien Naidu, CEO of TreeAMS Pte Ltd, Singapore, and Mr. Ricardo “Richie” Z. Cuna, President and CEO of Milkin Corp/Fiorgelato.
Track 12: Supply Chain Track: "Managing Your Supply Chain During These Challenging Times"
● Learn strategies to effectively manage supply chains amidst challenging times, including managing inflation impacts on material costs. Explore available solutions, whether in-house or outsourced and discover the latest technology solutions related to supply chain management. Speakers include Mr. Cris John "CJ" Garcia, VP for Chapters and Linkages of the Philippine Institute of Supply Management (PISM), and Mr. Red George G. Hizon, Proprietor/ Management Consultant of Consulrent Business Consultancy.
Two PFA programs featured in conference
The Conference also marks this year’s closing ceremonies of two of the PFA’s flagship programs dealing with capacity building for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs looking to gain their foothold in the franchising sector – the NxtGen in Franchising and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) Program.
The event is set to be the forum for the final pitch and awarding of the winners of the NxtGen in Franchising Program, which is a nationwide search for the future stars of the Philippine franchising industry and is a key program of the PFA’s Advocacy Cluster.
The graduation ceremonies for both graduates and enrollees of the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) Program will also be a highlight of the conference. CFE is a mini masters in franchise management provided by the PFA as part of its goal to professionalize the franchising industry.
Catalyst for growth
The Franchise Asia Philippines Conference serves as a catalyst for economic growth and development, especially for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Chris Lim, President of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), acknowledged this conference for its significant contribution to establishing a franchise industry that is globally competitive, prepared for the future, and resilient in the face of disruptions. Lim emphasized that this aligns with PFA's objective of fostering the growth of Filipino franchise brands on a global scale.
PFA Chairman Sherill Quintana then emphasized the invaluable networking prospects provided by the Franchise Asia Conference, where attendees can connect with international counterparts and gain insights and strategies from around the world. This presents a unique opportunity to learn from the best practices of other nations and apply them to the development of our own franchise brands.
Franchise Asia Philippines remains committed to empowering MSMEs and fostering a vibrant franchising ecosystem that contributes to the country's economic growth and development.
Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 is co-presented by BPI, Inlife Health Care and PLDT Enterprise and powered by SM Supermalls and Vista Mall. Platinum partners are Jollibee, Caltex, 7-Eleven, Seaoil, The Generics Pharmacy and Megaworld. Gold partners are Potato Corner, LT&G Credit Line, Francorp, Qualiplus, K2 Pharmacy, Robinsons Malls, Araneta City, and Globaltronics. Silver partners are Master Siomai, Shawarma Shack, Famous Belgian Waffles, Paluto Nga Po!, Kurimi Milk Tea, Julie’s Bakeshop, Bo’s Coffee, Living Water, Pure Nectar, Bibingkinitan, Max’s Group, Oryspa, Beanleaf Coffee and Tea and Shell. Bronze partners are Fruitas, Macao Imperial, Farron Café, Grains Mart, Meralco, KFC, Shakey’s, Blooming Ventures, Mister Donut, Tokyo Tokyo, Coolaire Consolidated Inc., Yale Smart Shop, Unioil, McDonald’s, Bench, Perfume Dessert and Angkas.
Event partners are Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, BCS Systems and Technologies, Inc., Action Coach, Microtel by Wyndham, U-Franchise Sales, and Management, Commerce Asia, Sports House, Blims Lifesyle Group.
Media partners are Asian Journal & Balikbayan Magazine, Business Mirror & Philippine Graphic, Business World, Phil. Daily Inquirer & Inquirer Mobile, Net 25 Eagle Broadcasting Corp., The Philippine Star and Manila Bulletin, and its Official PR Partner Media Blitz Group.
For more details about the Franchise Asia Philippines Conference and the complete program agenda, please visit https://www.franchiseasiaph.com/conference.