International Franchise Expo

9:30am-12:00pm EST

How to Be a REAL Success
3 CFE Education Credits // $399

People are inspired by and desire to be like great leaders yet become overwhelmed by the perceived knowledge needed to learn the skill of leadership. Success is: Knowing your purpose in life; growing to your maximum potential; sowing the seeds that benefit others. It is a rather simple recipe yet requires awareness, study, practice and mentoring to achieve. Participants will be able to create the strategy and implement actions necessary to:

• Relate well with others
• Identify areas of improvement within their attitude
• Equip others with the proper skill sets for positive communications and relationships
• Lead others through experience

 Speaker: Kevin Wayne Johnson, Founder/CEO, The Johnson Leadership Group, LLC

1:30pm-4:30pm EST

Leading Through Crisis: Navigating Success Through Difficult Times
3 CFE Education Credits // $399

Let’s explore three ways to achieve success in the midst of challenging times: (1) How to maneuver through times of difficulty and adversity, (2) Effectively battle distractions during times of crisis and stress, and (3) Adopt successful thinking habits to think your way through any crisis. Participants will be able to identify, hardships and difficult environments to implement, and recommend practical principles and strategies to lead and navigate successful outcomes.

 Speaker: Kevin Wayne Johnson, Founder/CEO, The Johnson Leadership Group, LLC

1:00-2:00pm EST

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING: BEING SUCCESSFUL IN TODAY’S MARKETPLACE

Join us for a conversation on how women in franchising are changing the franchise landscape. Join us and learn:

1. The basics of franchising: What is franchising, the roles of a franchisor and franchisee
2. Why women make great franchisees and franchisors
3. The importance of teamwork in franchising
4. Building a community of women to support you in franchising 
5. Tips for women thinking about franchising a concept, joining a franchise system or working in the franchise industry 
6. Why franchising helps you attain work/life balance whether you are a ‘zor, a ‘zee or supplier to the industry" 
7. Where to get information and education about franchising 

Speakers: Dawn Abbamondi, CFE, Chief Marketing Officer, SMB Franchise Advisors; Colette Bell, VP, Franchise Development, Ace Handyman Services; Diana Simmons, Co-Founder & CEO, Simply Cabinetry

10:30-11:30am EST

FRANCHISING 101: EXPLORING THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS MODEL FOR VETERANS, WOMEN AND MEMBERS OF DIVERSE OR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND OTHER ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

Join leaders from the IFA Foundation for an introductory session on the world of franchising. During this session, franchise executives will outline what the franchise business model is, how far it reaches, and why it is uniquely suited for people of color, underrepresented communities, women, veterans, and more. Attendees will learn why many franchise companies are eager to identify, recruit, support, and advance a more diverse pipeline of talent throughout their brands and how the IFA Foundation can help you explore the franchise opportunities available as a prospective franchisee. This will be a lively, open discussion with lots of interaction from the audience, so bring your questions!

Speakers: Ron Bender, CFE, VP, Franchise Development, French Florist & Vice Chairman, VetFran Committee; Tim Courtney, CFE, VP, Franchise Development, PuroClean; Richard Snow, VP, National Franchise and Specialty Lending Manager, Bremer Bank & Brooklyn Robot Foundry Franchise Owner; Jimmy Weeks, Interim Manager, VetFran & Founder, Insights Engine