Running alongside CRS 2007 is the International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment Show (IFFE) . There is expected to be more excitement this year because, for the first time, six oil companies will be attending.

The biggest name is undoubtedly BP, which will be exhibiting its franchising opportunities.

Howard Nunn, franchise development manager at BP , says: "We are hoping to meet existing fuel retailers and investors looking to buy a petrol filling station to convert into a BP Connect.

"These are exciting times, as this is the first time any fuel retailer will be able to access the award-winning BP Connect with Wild Bean Café and operate it as their own."

The other five oil companies that will be exhibiting at the show are CPL, Harvest Energy, Gulf Oil, Murco and Pace Petroleum.

There is obviously a lot of interest in green fuels and issues affecting the environment at the moment and one stand that is likely to be particularly busy is The Harvest Energy stand. The company supplies Harvest BioEthanol E85 fuel to Morrisons and independent retailers as well as Ford and General Motors for their test tracks.

But everyone is hoping to make the most of the event. Gulf Retail managing director Keith Jewers explains why the company is returning to exhibit. "Our commitment is to the independent forecourt operator and IFFE represents the best way to meet existing and potential customers and demonstrate to them the benefits of the Gulf dealer package that is proving so successful in securing independent dealer outlets from across the UK," he says.

Pace Petroleum will be making its debut at the show this year, and marketing manager Ian Rose outlines what visitors can expect to see on its stand: "We will be promoting the Pace brand plus the fact that we can offer fuel supply secured through a major oil company. In addition, there is our unique marketing arrangement with Exxon Mobil, which allows our dealers to sell their lubricants."

More than 80 exhibitors are expected at IFFE 2007, including the car parts company Unipart, which will be exhibiting for the first time, as well as accessories distributor Maccess and also the pressure washer company Karcher, along with others in the car wash industry.