EDISON, NJ (TIP): The Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Franchise Seminar and Show September 22 at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center in Edison, NJ. Several franchise companies specializing in food, child-care centers, tutoring centers, computer IT services, senior care, financial planning and staffing and employment services participated. The event was co-chaired by AICC board members Nandini Menon and Rajeev Krishna. According to AICC Chairman Anil Bansal, the event was held to understand franchising from a franchisee’s point of view. “The event was a perfect opportunity for people to meet franchisees and franchisors and to facilitate a better understanding of the business process and business opportunities in one’s area of interest,” he said. Franchising can be an effective option for midsize to large companies seeking to enter new markets nationally and internationally, Bansal said. AICC has plans to make this an annual event. Based on feedback from attendees, sponsors and exhibitors, this event fulfills an important need of the Asian Indian Community which had not been addressed till now.

For prospective franchisees the seminar offered advice and guidelines in financial and marketing resources and panel discussions with existing franchisees; while for existing franchisees the seminar offered alternative financial resources and introduction to marketing companies. Some of the participants at the daylong event included Action Coach, Rainbow Academy, Benetrends, Tutor Doctor., Global Life Enterprises LLC., Frannet, Vocelli Pizza, Rock ‘n Joe coffee and others. Other activities of the AICC include Networking Nights held every fourth Wednesday of each month to provide a networking forum for exchange of business ideas, referrals and business contracts for the mutual benefit of members; develop international connections to promote business growth, via trade missions & trade delegations, to and from India and other countries; strengthen commercial, social and political relationships between United States and India; provide a forum for the Promotion and Enhancement of Businesses, to showcase products and services; enhance education, knowledge and interact with keynote speakers and industry leaders and advocate and lobby the business concerns to political leaders at State and National levels, participate in political forums & meetings Delegation to Washington DC to meet with political leaders and policy decision makers. AICC is led by Anil Bansal, president; along with Vice President Priti Pandya- Patel.