United Franchise Group (UFG) Launches Plan Ahead Events

By: United Franchise Group | 1,014 Shares 422 Reads

First Home-Based Meetings & Events Management Franchise

February 12, 2008 // Franchising.com // WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – United Franchise Group (www.unitedfranchisegroup.com), a company that specializes in franchise development and services, has launched Plan Ahead Events, the first home-based franchise in the corporate meetings and events industry.

Plan Ahead Events offers a full-service solution to meetings, conventions, trade shows, special events and incentive travel. The Company was developed to serve a burgeoning market sector – the meetings and convention industry – that has been identified as one of the top "50 Best Jobs in America" by CNN/Money magazine and reported by Entrepreneur.com as a $500 billion industry worldwide. In fact, Yahoo Hot Jobs rates event planning as the No. 1 business career that doesn't require an M.B.A.

Drawing upon his 30 years of experience successfully franchising other UFG brands like SIGNARAMA and EmbroidMe, Ray Titus, CEO and founder of UFG, saw an opportunity to extend the Company's experience to a new industry. "This is a fast-growing industry with no existing franchises," he says. "Plan Ahead Events can carve out a new niche for home-based entrepreneurs."

Plan Ahead Events franchisees undergo a week of training at the UFG headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla. Upon completion, a UFG marketing representative spends a week with them in their local market to help them establish important business connections and begin marketing to prospective customers and referral sources.

Franchisees can capitalize on UFG's established vendor relationships to negotiate the best prices and terms. They also have discounted access to event management software that provides modules for all facets of their business, from registration to a database of attendees.
"We anticipate that Plan Ahead Events will attract corporate event planners who have the skills and contacts, but want to get out of corporateAmerica and into business for themselves," says Lisa Pagano, brand director of Plan Ahead Events. "It's also a great option for stay-at-home moms and military wives because there's no inventory, no rent or equipment, quick start-up and flexible hours.

About United Franchise Group:
United Franchise Group (www.unitedfranchisegroup.com) is a $500 million dollar franchising expert with 30 years of experience and 1,400 franchise locations in 50 countries. Brands include SIGNARAMA, EmbroidMe and Billboard Connection, as well as two new brands --FranchiseMart, a retail location to research business opportunities before investing; and Plan Ahead Events, a home-based corporate event planning franchise. Additionally, UFG's continuum of franchise development services helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses domestically and/or globally with Accurate Franchising, Franchise Greenhouse and World Franchisors. Information on franchising opportunities is available at 800-286-8671 (U.S.) or 001-561-640-5570 (international).