Expo Franquicias Monterrey puts AI and financing in the spotlight

Artificial intelligence, financing and professional business management are on the agenda at Expo Franquicias Monterrey 2026, which has opened at Cintermex with more than 100 brands and suppliers. Alongside investment opportunities, the event features talks and panel discussions for business owners, investors and entrepreneurs seeking tools to develop their businesses.

Training alongside investment opportunities

According to information published by Reportacero on 12 November, the exhibition opened on Wednesday and runs for two days. Its programme combines direct access to brands and suppliers with sessions on financing, artificial intelligence, professional business management, leadership and expansion strategies.

Training is therefore a central element of this year's event. The focus goes beyond getting to know a brand or its investment options, providing space to discuss business management and growth.

The announced topics address a range of needs within the franchise community. Financing features alongside expansion strategies, while artificial intelligence shares the agenda with leadership and professional management. These subjects broaden the discussion beyond opening an outlet.

The published programme outlines these themes without specifying particular technology applications or financial product terms. Their inclusion should therefore be understood as part of the event's training programme, rather than an announcement of specific loans or tools available to attendees.

An event for different types of investor

At the opening ceremony, Jaime Salazar Figueroa, chair of the Expo Franquicias Monterrey 2026 organising committee, highlighted the importance of connecting entrepreneurs with established businesses and new ways to build their wealth.

He described franchising as a way to develop businesses with structured processes and the backing of brands with market experience. That view reflects the event's format: exploring business opportunities while discussing the capabilities needed to operate and grow.

Exhibition director Lidia Quezada Osorio explained that the aim is to offer options for different types of investor. These include both first-time entrepreneurs and business owners looking to diversify their investments.

This distinction matters when exploring the exhibition. Starting a first business and investing to diversify involve different needs; the announced agenda allows visitors to explore both business models and management issues, rather than presenting a single path for everyone.

A range of sectors and direct contact with brands

The exhibition brings together Mexican and international businesses in food and drink, health, beauty, education, tourism, services and vehicle maintenance, among other sectors. The figure of more than 100 participants includes both brands and suppliers, so it should not be read as the number of franchises available to buy.

Attendees can learn directly about participating brands' business models, expansion plans and investment options. Suppliers add another dimension to the event, giving visitors access to companies that serve businesses' operational needs.

According to the announcement, opportunities to explore proposals and make business contacts at Cintermex continue on Thursday 12 November. Face-to-face exchanges are a key feature of an event combining an exhibition, business networking and training.

Nuevo León as a meeting point

The event information places the Mexican state of Nuevo León among the significant markets for the franchise community, with around 397 brands and 2,300 operating outlets. These figures describe the franchise presence in the state, not the exhibition's results.

Expo Franquicias Monterrey 2026 is organised by APEX and Global Expo, with the backing of the Feria Internacional de Franquicias. Its stated aim is to connect brands, investors and suppliers while promoting training and business development.

Making the most of the event: combine conversations with brands with training sessions, and ask for specific information on investment requirements, operations and ongoing support. Understanding an opportunity is the first step; assessing how well it fits your resources and objectives is the next.