Episode#17

Tim Collett, Specialised Events, MD (Franchising Expo). Franchise Business Leader.

Where do you even begin in starting a major events company, booking large exhibition halls years in advance, and filling them with exhibitors and thousands of attendees? 

Episode#17 - From a franchise perspective, Tim's Specialised Events company, owns and runs the Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo, and has done so for 10+ years now.

In addition to the Franchising Expo, Tim and his team run both the Foodservice Australia Show, and the Food and Hospitality Queensland shows. So his industry experience, knowledge and presence is substantial.

Tim started out working in, and becoming immersed in 10 day long boat shows while still at Uni, which upon finishing realised that live shows were his calling.

After years of experience working for larger companies, (Tim recalls his first franchising expo where he attended as fresh new events team member in Brisbane back in 1993) including foreign owned events businesses, Tim took the leap and bought his first show in 2011, as he launched his Specialised Events business. 

The franchising expo came later in 2013, buying the show off another event company - a show that he worked on for many years prior!

Tim articulates the immense stress and uncertainty of running an events business during the covid pandemic period, and the pain of cancelling a fully-ready-to-go Sydney Franchising Expo, mere days before it was due to open, with the business having hundreds of thousands of $ on the line.

The weight and impact of this difficult period is clear, while retaining all staff and an office running an event business - with no events.

Tim's story is one of entrepreneurialism, experience and patience in methodically building a successful events business over a sustained, and at times, challenging period.

Podcast Produced by:  magnetic business media

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