United Franchise Group - Industries' Largest Privately-held Tradeshow Is A Huge Success

(Friday, September 15, 2006) - The United Franchise Group, consisting of SIGN*A*RAMA, EmbroidMe and Billboard Connection, hosted its World Expo 2006 August 9-13 at the Marriott River Center Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. World Expo 2006, the industries' largest privately-held vendor tradeshow, was an enormous success, with over 1,200 franchisees and more than 300 vendors in attendance. The five-day event combined a two-day tradeshow with four days of various educational break-out sessions for franchisees. For the first time in the company's history, all brands were brought together for one Expo in an effort to facilitate mentoring and networking. To that end, all franchisees had an opportunity to meet with and learn from the most experienced owners in the business and share information on potential cross-branding opportunities through both SIGN*A*RAMA and EmbroidMe's mentor programs.

The World Expo 2006 tradeshow filled 97,000 sq. ft. of floor space with over 300 of the best vendors in the industry such as Georgia Printco, Sign Supply USA, Direct Sign Wholesale, Alpha Shirt Company, San Mar and Hartwell. Their presence gave franchisees the opportunity to see a variety of new products and services, and build strong relationships with preferred vendors. "We have been promoting a win/win philosophy with our vendors for almost 20 years and it was never more apparent than at our Expo. Vendor sales were higher than ever, and for the first time we held vendor-led educational workshops for our franchisees," says United Franchise Group president, Ray Titus. The vendors' response was so great that a large number have already signed up to exhibit at the next World Expo, scheduled for 2008 in Orlando, FL.

Another important element of the Expo was the general sessions, daily meetings that brought together franchisees and corporate employees from all brands. With everything from Jim Tatem, United Franchise Group Vice President of Training and International Director, riding in on a full-size, Texas long-horn steer; Jim Johnson, coach of the Greece Athena High School and "J-Mac," giving a speech on his inspirational team and the game that made ESPN's "Sports Moment of the Year"; to the United Franchise Group Foundation's generous donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Africa Bridge and Junior Achievement; every day proved exciting and emotional.

In all, World Expo 2006 and the United Franchise Group's decision to combine all brands into one event is, according to Ray Titus, "just the first step in a larger effort to strengthen the relationship of our franchise system." With a networking and referral program called "Star Point Services" in place, the United Franchise Group's goal is to become the leader in providing the services that help corporations and organizations get noticed through quality signage, printing services, apparel and promotional products.

SIGN*A*RAMA provides a full range of comprehensive sign services at more than 800 locations worldwide. Its franchisees are trained specialists in signage design and installation. EmbroidMe offers full-service embroidery, screen-printing, and promotional products at over 300 retail locations around the world. Billboard Connection is a home-based outdoor advertising agency franchise with nearly 48 locations that specialize in selling outdoor advertising.

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