The Franchise & Small Business Expo

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The Franchise & Small Business Expo is designed to bring together people exploring business ownership with the brands, advisers, and service providers that support the franchise and small business sector. With early registrants expressing great desire to meet franchisors, make sure you book your exhibition space now.

New Zealand's Biggest Small Business Expo is Coming soon 

The Franchise & Small Business Expo is coming to the Due Drop Events Centre in Auckland on 18 and 19 September, bringing together more than 60 exhibitors, 65-plus speakers and 93 free sessions across two days.

Designed for people who are already in business, preparing to start one or considering buying a franchise, the Expo gives visitors direct access to practical advice, business opportunities, new technology and people who can help them move forward.

For prospective franchise buyers, the Pathways Stage will cover the questions that matter before making a major investment. Sessions include franchise due diligence, becoming finance-ready, comparing opportunities, choosing the right franchise, understanding training and ongoing support, franchise readiness and finding a business that suits your goals.

Visitors can hear directly from experienced franchise professionals, advisers, lenders, lawyers, brokers and franchise brands. The Expo floor will also provide the opportunity to meet franchise systems and service providers face to face, ask questions and explore different business opportunities in one place.

Existing business owners can head to the Elevate Stage for practical sessions on cashflow, marketing, recruitment, sales, AI, business systems, leadership and increasing the value of a business.

Topics include Marketing on a Shoestring, Hiring Smarter, Build to Sell, Not Just to Survive, More Deals More Often and Work Smarter, Not Harder. Visitors can also take part in the SME Growth Clinic and hear practical advice on reducing owner dependency, building better systems and creating a more valuable business.

On the NextWork Stage, visitors will hear bigger-picture conversations about the economy, leadership, confidence, technology and the changing nature of work.

The programme opens with Where to From Here? What SMEs Need to Know About the Economy, Policy and Opportunity, featuring Simon Bridges, Katherine Rich and Wilhelmina O’Keeffe.

Other highlights include Justin Flitter’s keynote Everyone Has AI. The Difference Is You, The Confidence Chain, The Trust Economy, Redefining Work, Age and Success and The Rejection Advantage.

The Demo Lab will show business products and technology in action. Visitors can see demonstrations and case studies covering CRM, AI, financial data, event technology, workplace systems and other tools designed to help businesses operate more effectively.

For those who prefer conversation to presentations, interactive round-table discussions will give visitors the chance to ask questions, share experiences and learn from other business owners and industry experts. Topics include buying a franchise, overcoming barriers to growth, using systems and AI, business support and the role of FANZ in New Zealand franchising.

Speedy Networking and informal meeting opportunities will make it easier to connect with other attendees, speakers and exhibitors throughout the event.

With 93 free workshops, keynotes, demonstrations, discussions and networking opportunities, visitors can build a day around the topics most relevant to them.

Whether you want to start a business, buy a franchise or grow the business you already own, the Franchise & Small Business Expo brings the opportunities, advice and connections together under one roof.

Franchise & Small Business Expo
18 and 19 September 2026
Due Drop Events Centre, Auckland
Free to attend. Registration is essential.
View the agenda and register at expo.nzsme.co.nz

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