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Franchising & Licensing Asia 2024 to Unlock New Horizons in Licensing and Tech-Enabled Franchising

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Presented by the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore) and organised by Constellar, the 19th edition of Franchising & Licensing Asia will take place at Sands Expo & Convention Centre from September 12 to 14. Featuring over 300 franchise brands and licensable characters by 150 exhibitors, including international franchises from Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan region, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam, FLAsia 2024 is the region’s most international franchising event. 

Unparalleled Insights and Opportunities for Franchising & Licensing in Asia

Asia’s rapidly growing Gen Z population will become the highest consumer spending class globally by 2030, presenting vast opportunities as a target market for businesses to expand in Asia through franchising & licensing. With Asia already contributing over 30% of all franchised businesses worldwide, this region offers lucrative prospects for both homegrown and global brands, especially as the demand for quality products and services across sectors like beauty, wellness, education, and technology surges. As an entrepreneurial venture, franchising and licensing provides relative business stability and growth, and will appeal to financially-savvy younger generations with a lower-risk appetite.

Singapore’s pro-business environment provides a strategic launchpad and springboard for these ventures, making FLAsia 2024 a crucial platform for exploring partnerships and driving regional business growth. FLAsia 2024 will offer unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to connect with leading brands looking to expand across the rapidly growing Asia Pacific consumer market, as well as thought leaders, business owners and decision-makers offering insights into building business resilience and scalability. FLAsia 2024 is supported by regional trade and franchising associations in Cambodia, China, Egypt, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan area, Thailand and Vietnam.

Deep-Dive into the World of Brand and Character Licensing

For the first time, FLAsia 2024 features an expansive showcase of licensable brands and characters, as well as comprehensive content, to equip interested parties for the journey. Characters include those from the Marvel Universe, Pac Man, Sonic The Hedgehog, Tamagotchi and The Legend of Hei. Attendees can also connect with representatives from Avex Asia, Bandai Namco, Disney and XM Studios, among others, at the FLAsia Conference and gain insights into the evolving landscape of brand and character licensing.

The conference will feature two key panel discussions on brand and character licensing, highlighting the advantages of strategic collaborations and emerging trends that are reshaping the industry. The first session, “The Power of Brand Licensing: How Strategic Collaboration Can Help Scale Your Business,” moderated by John Ong, Executive Chairman of FT Consulting, will explore how innovative licensing models and partnerships can expand brand reach and drive growth. Panellists include Alex Baillie, Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Company, Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East; Ben Ang, CEO of XM Studios; and Winston Chan, Board Director of IPOS International and Chief Executive Officer of FT Consulting.

The second session, “Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Brand Licensing: Disrupting Traditional Models,” moderated by Esther Wee, President of IIPCC Singapore and IP Consultant at RHT Law Asia LLP, will examine the impact of digital content, social media, technology, sustainability, and globalisation on brand licensing. The panel features Dr. Bryan Tan, Chief Executive Officer of COL Web, Edmund Low, Head of Licensing Division (APAC) at Avex Asia, and Tracy Lui, Senior Assistant Director of Marketing Communications at Mount Faber Leisure Group.

“Character and brand licensing offers exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs to leverage established brand equity, accelerating growth and market penetration,” said Mr Edmund Low, Head of Licensing Division (APAC) at Avex Asia. “By partnering with recognizable characters or brands, businesses can tap into existing consumer fandom, reduce marketing costs and enhance overall credibility. Embracing brand extensions not only fosters innovation through collaboration but also creates synergistic partnerships that drive long-term success. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to explore the vast potential of brand licensing as a strategic pathway to elevate their business ventures and achieve sustainable growth.”

Learn about the impact of Technology and how to build Tech-Driven Strategies in Franchising

The conference will also feature two pivotal sessions focused on navigating today’s complex business and franchising environment impacted by technology. In the session “Business Not as Usual,” Kok Ping Soon, CEO of Singapore Business Federation, will provide critical insights into the key factors that drive business success, offering actionable strategies to overcome barriers and build resilient, future-ready companies amidst rapid technological developments and a challenging operating environment.

Mr Kok Ping Soon, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Business Federation (SBF) said, “In a ‘business-not-as-usual’ environment, SBF has supported our members by shaping solutions, allowing them to pivot quickly, maintain continuity, and adapt to unexpected challenges. SBF strives to empower our members with the necessary know-how and skillsets through the various initiatives such as driving internationalisation efforts, building on sustainability, and working with various partners to bring fundamental digital solutions to SMEs.”

The second session, “The Tech Advantage: Why You Should Choose a Tech-Driven Franchise,” moderated by Oliver Tian, Founder and Director of Oliver Tian Associates, will explore how technology is revolutionising franchising. Panellists Jeremy Choong of Jayvoxx Holdings, Keith Tan of Crown Digital, and Xiao Saunders of Xiao Saunders Consultation will discuss the benefits of tech-forward franchises, including higher profits, easier expansion, and a competitive market edge.

“Tech-driven franchise models allow entrepreneurs to tap into advanced technology to optimise operations and enhance customer experiences,” said Mr Keith Tan, CEO & Founder of Crown Digital Pte Ltd. “For instance, we combined AI and robotics to develop Ella the robot barista, a groundbreaking tech-enabled franchise opportunity that redefines the F&B landscape. Ella transforms the coffee experience by delivering consistent, efficient, and contactless service, catering to modern consumer needs. By investing in tech-driven franchises such as Ella, franchisees join the forefront of innovation, driving the future of automated retail globally.”

Apart from the above sessions, attendees can engage in interactive discussions and practical workshops that will provide them with comprehensive knowledge on franchising in Southeast Asia.

Connect with New and Established Franchisors Onsite

FLAsia 2024 will enable attendees with franchising intent to make more informed decisions as they connect with franchises onsite. These include 60 percent new franchises in beauty & wellness, education, food & beverage, health, and retail, such as Angel’s Pizza from Philippines; Café Bom Bom, EatPizza and Ediya Coffee from South Korea; 9.36 Wellness, Marrybrown and US Pizza from Malaysia; Appzdate, Dian Xiao Er, Logiscool, Organique and Shenmo Education from Singapore. Returning franchises include Fun Learner’s School, GoPizza, KC Group, Salady, The Jelly Heart and TungLok Group.

Find out more about the exhibitors in the Annex. To attend FLAsia 2024, sign up here.

For latest information on FLAsia 2024, connect on Linkedin and Facebook.

***

About Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore)

FLA (Singapore), one of the founding members of the World Franchise Council, was established in 1993 with the mission to nurture and develop Singapore’s franchising industry. An essential component of Singapore’s knowledge-based economy, FLA (Singapore) promotes and facilitates the use of franchising, licensing and branding as a growth strategy for Singapore enterprises, thus contributing to turning Singapore as a regional franchise and license hub. Through its partnership with Singapore government agencies and international franchise and license bodies, FLA (Singapore) also assists its members in their international development programmes. With an active growing membership of close to 150 companies, representing more than 250 strong brands, FLA (Singapore) is led and managed by a dedicated team of advisors, committee members and a full-time secretariat with the goal of supporting Singapore companies to expand internationally. https://www.flasingapore.org/ 

About Constellar

Constellar is Asia’s preferred partner for convening businesses, curating ideas and creating opportunities for sustainable business growth and global impact. Based in Singapore with a regional footprint in China and Malaysia, we curate and develop influential trade and consumer events for key industries, connecting global marketplaces in sectors such as fintech, industrial transformation and ESG. We also manage the Singapore EXPO, Singapore’s largest purpose-built venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE). Our vision is to be a global leader made in Asia, activating impactful networks to enable cross-industry collaboration and innovation through our holistic portfolio of intellectual properties (IP) in the MICE industry. Visit constellar.co for more information.

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SOURCE Constellar

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FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION APPOINTS DAVID S. SCHULZ TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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LANCASTER, Pa., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: FULT) (“Fulton”) today announced the appointment of David S. Schulz as a member of its board of directors (the “Board”) for a term commencing September 14, 2026 and expiring at Fulton’s 2027 annual meeting of shareholders.

“We’re excited to welcome Dave to Fulton’s board of directors,” said Curt Myers, Fulton Chairman, CEO, and President. “Dave brings extensive financial leadership experience gained through more than a decade of service with publicly traded companies. His expertise in finance, strategic planning, risk, and mergers and acquisitions will provide valuable perspective as we continue to execute our growth strategy and create long-term value for our shareholders, customers and communities.”

With the addition of Schulz, Fulton’s Board will have 11 members, and he will serve on the Audit and Risk committees. Schulz has also been appointed to the board of directors of Fulton’s banking subsidiary, Fulton Bank, N.A.

Schulz served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Wesco International, Inc. (“Wesco”) from 2016 to June 2020, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Wesco from June 2020 to February 2026 and as Executive Vice President and Special Advisor to the CEO of Wesco from February 2026 until his retirement on May 31, 2026. 

Prior to joining Wesco, Schulz served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. and was previously Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Vice President of Finance of the Armstrong Building Products division.

Before joining Armstrong World Industries in 2011, he held various financial leadership roles with Procter & Gamble and The J.M. Smucker Company. He was also an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

In 2025, Schulz joined the board of Sterling Infrastructure, Inc., and he was appointed as chair of the audit committee in 2026. He also serves on the company’s compensation and talent development committee.

ABOUT FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Fulton, a $34 billion Lancaster, Pa.-based financial holding company, has more than 3,400 employees and operates more than 215 financial centers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia through Fulton Bank, N.A. Additional information on Fulton can be found at https://investor.fultonbank.com.

Contact: Steve Trapnell
717-291-2739

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SOURCE Fulton Financial Corporation

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Octavio Marquez Elected to MSA Safety Board of Directors

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PITTSBURGH, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Board of Directors of MSA Safety Inc. (NYSE: MSA), a global leader in the development of advanced industrial safety technology products and solutions, today announced that Octavio Marquez, president and chief executive officer of Diebold Nixdorf, has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors. His election was part of the MSA Board’s regular succession plans.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to add Octavio to the MSA Board,” said Robert A. Bruggeworth, MSA chairman. “He brings a broad range of executive leadership experience, including strategy development, capital allocation, business transformation and serving international markets, which will serve MSA well.”

“Octavio’s perspectives will be an asset to me and our entire Executive Leadership Team,” said Steven C. Blanco, MSA president and CEO. “It is a pleasure to welcome Octavio to MSA, and I look forward to working with him.”

Mr. Marquez joined Diebold Nixdorf in 2014 and has held senior leadership roles across the company’s Global Banking organization and its Americas region, including as executive vice president of Global Banking and senior vice president of the Americas. Before joining Diebold Nixdorf, Mr. Marquez held leadership positions at Dell EMC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM and NCR.

Diebold Nixdorf automates, digitizes and transforms the way people bank and shop. As a partner to the majority of the world’s top 100 financial institutions and top 25 global retailers, its integrated solutions connect digital and physical channels conveniently, securely and efficiently for millions of customers every day. Headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, Diebold Nixdorf employs approximately 20,000 employees globally, supporting more than 100 countries.

Mr. Marquez holds a degree in business and finance from Universidad Iberoamericana and has completed executive education programs at MIT Sloan, The Wharton School and The University of Texas at Austin.

About MSA Safety

MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) is the global leader in advanced industrial safety technology products and solutions. Driven by its singular mission of safety, the company has been at the forefront of safety innovation since 1914, protecting workers and facility infrastructure around the world across a broad range of diverse end markets while creating sustainable value for shareholders. With 2025 revenues of $1.9 billion, MSA Safety is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, and employs a team of approximately 5,300 associates across its more than 40 international locations. For more information, please visit www.MSASafety.com.

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SOURCE MSA Safety

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BlueFolder Field Service Software Launches New AI-Powered Features to Transform How Teams Work

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New AI capabilities instantly surface customer insights and transform technician notes into actionable summaries to help field service teams work faster, stay aligned, and deliver better service

AUBURN, Ala., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BlueFolder field service software recently announced the launch of two powerful new AI features: AI-Powered Customer Summaries and AI-Powered Field Notes Summarization. Together, these capabilities are designed to eliminate the time-consuming, manual work of reviewing fragmented customer records and lengthy technician notes—giving field service teams instant clarity to respond faster, make smarter decisions, and deliver exceptional service.

BlueFolder expands it’s field service and work order management suite with two exciting new AI field service features.

Built directly into the BlueFolder platform, both features leverage artificial intelligence to automatically compile and summarize complex, unstructured data into clear, easy-to-read overviews. The result: technicians, dispatchers, and managers always have the context they need, right when they need it.

AI-Powered Customer Summaries

As field service organizations grow, customer information becomes increasingly scattered across emails, service request logs, and communication histories. BlueFolder’s AI Customer Summary feature addresses this challenge head-on by consolidating those interactions into a single, actionable snapshot.

Instead of manually digging through multiple records before a service call or customer interaction, teams can now access a real-time summary highlighting key concerns, past service activity, and recent updates. The feature goes beyond basic summarization and surfaces critical business insights such as equipment past due for maintenance, approaching warranty expirations, and proactive revenue opportunities, empowering teams to recommend follow-ups or upgrades directly from the customer record.

Built-in traceability links each summary back to its original source communications, so users can validate insights with confidence, ensuring both speed and accuracy in every customer interaction.

AI-Powered Field Notes Summarization

In many service organizations, technicians log updates across multiple visits, often resulting in long, fragmented notes that are difficult to review at a glance. BlueFolder’s AI Field Notes Summarization feature solves this by automatically condensing multiple technician entries into a structured summary that highlights key milestones, actions taken, and next steps.

Rather than scrolling through pages of updates, managers and dispatchers can immediately understand job status and determine what needs to happen next, improving alignment between field and office teams, accelerating decision-making, and reducing miscommunication. The feature is especially valuable for complex or multi-day jobs, where clear continuity and smooth technician handoffs are critical to delivering consistent service. It’s another featuring making BlueFolder’s work order management software capabilities stronger every day.

“History is one of the most powerful tools a service team has — the problem is it’s usually buried. BlueFolder’s new AI features fix that. Your team walks into every interaction already knowing the customer, knowing the equipment, and exactly where things stand. That changes the entire experience,” says John Shaw, VP, Technology, Service Operations.

AI as a Core Part of the BlueFolder Platform

The launch of these two features reflects BlueFolder’s broader commitment to embedding AI throughout its field service management software as an integrated layer of intelligence that makes every workflow smarter. Rather than requiring teams to change how they work, BlueFolder’s AI capabilities are designed to surface the right information at the right moment automatically, within the tools that technicians, dispatchers, and managers already use every day.

“AI is transforming what’s possible in field service, and BlueFolder is answering that call. These features are the result of deep platform expertise and a clear vision for where the industry is headed. We’re embedding intelligence throughout the platform because we know it makes our customers more competitive, more efficient, and better positioned to grow,” says Stephen Myslicki, Group President of Field Services.

Availability

Both AI-Powered Customer Summaries and AI-Powered Field Notes Summarization are available now to BlueFolder customers as optional, easy-to-enable features within the platform. They are part of BlueFolder’s growing suite of AI-driven capabilities designed to help field service organizations operate more efficiently and scale with confidence.

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SOURCE BlueFolder

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