Emerging Franchisor Track Agenda - IFA 2024 Annual Convention

Diving into franchising for the first time? Here are the special sessions designed for Emerging Franchisors. 

Schedule subject to change. 

7:30 AM - 5:00 PM       Registration Desk Open

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM       Concurrent CFE Special Sessions
Get your CFE Education Credits on day one, whether you're a new Certified Franchise Executive candidate or working towards recertification. CFE Special Sessions include CFE credits and a class fee.

• Franchise Marketing Today!
• How to Get Franchisee Buy-In to New Initiatives
• IFA Fran-Guard™ *Mandatory course for all CFE Candidates
• Principles of Franchising
• Discovering Your Authentic Leadership Style: How You are Wired to Lead and Succeed
• Profit Mastery: Financial Boot Camp (Part I – Improving Network Unit Profitability, Cash Flow and Performance
• Cracking the Code to Customer Devotion
• Inclusive Leadership for a Multi-Generation Workforce

7:00 AM - 7:30 PM        Registration Desk Open

7:30 AM - 10:30 AM      Emerging Franchisor Bootcamp 
The 2024 Emerging Franchisor Bootcamp is designed to provide practical value and networking that kick starts your learning. Participants once again will learn from the best in franchising through an opening presentation featuring a prominent franchise executive who will speak to “mistakes I’ve made as a franchisor,” followed by the centerpiece of the bootcamp: peer and mentor input to solve business issues emerging franchisor attendees bring to the table. This input not only guides participants towards overcoming their discussed business issue but also helps them more effectively choose Convention sessions and events that will further help them solve important issues. The lineup of mentors includes a “who’s who” in franchising, and this access lasts long after the 2024 IFA Convention. This is an opportunity to connect with road-tested leaders who have been in your shoes and can help you navigate business issues and resources available to you. This isn’t a show up and just listen kind of session. In order to maximize the value and experience at this Bootcamp, participants are expected to come prepared to share their issue, discuss others, and problem-solve together. Additional fee applies.

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM        Concurrent CFE Special Sessions
Get your CFE Education Credits on day one, whether you're a new Certified Franchise Executive candidate or working towards recertification. CFE Special Sessions include CFE credits and a class fee.

• Franchise Recruitment Essentials
• Scaling for Growth: Multi-Unit/Multi-Brand Expansion Strategies
• IFA Fran-Guard™ *Mandatory course for all CFE Candidates (CFE Special Session)
• Gaining an In-Depth Understanding of Franchising
• The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team
• Delivering Effective Field Support that Franchisees Value
• Leveraging Technology to Power Franchise System Growth
• Managing Franchise Resales

11:45 AM - 4:00 PM       Annual Leadership Conference “Empowered: Navigating the Leadership Landscape”

Join us for a dynamic and engaging leadership conference filled with insights and strategies designed to inspire and uplift aspiring and seasoned leaders alike. A thought-provoking fireside chat, a panel discussion, and an interactive workshop will empower you to turn challenges into opportunities. Women Franchisors and Franchisees will take center stage to share their transformative journeys, revealing the challenges and invaluable insights they garnered along the way. We’ll delve into achieving work-life balance, honing your influence through effective communication, and tackling challenges in staffing and employee retention, particularly from a franchisee perspective. Additionally, we'll explore strategies for navigating change and fostering adaptability to turn potential hurdles into opportunities for growth. This conference will benefit you, wherever you are in your leadership journey.

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM        Opening General Session 
A proper welcome from IFA! Get settled and get a seat for the first keynote speaker of the convention.

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM        Opening Reception 
Get a jump on networking and kick off IFA’s 2024 Convention in style.

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM        Franchisee of the Year Celebration 

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM        Dine Arounds with Board Members and IFA Staff 

6:00 AM - 6:00 PM        Registration Desk Open

6:30 AM - 7:45 AM        Prayer Breakfast 
A non-denominational breakfast with music, reflection, and inspiration. Additional signup required.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM      Super Sessions

Choose 1:

• Consumer Trends Talk: What's on the Horizon?
• Implement Good-Better-Best Pricing to Generate Higher Profits
• How to Market to, Sell to and Serve People Not Like You
• Navigating the AI Revolution: Transforming Franchise Businesses for the Future
• Kickoff to the Franchising Gives Back: Community Service Project 

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM    General Session
Celebrate high honors for the people succeeding in the industry. You’ll need to get there early to grab a seat for this session.

Education – Concurrent Breakout Sessions. Recommended for you:

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM        Developing Effective Franchisee Recruitment Strategies to Attract The Right Candidates

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM        Leadership Think Tank and Forum Exchange

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM        Thought Leadership Roundtables 
Sit in for two 40-minute conversations, with the same facilitator and topic each round.

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM        Exhibit Hall Open with Reception
Join the community service project here!

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM        Diversity Institute Reception 

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM        VetFran Reception

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM        Dine Arounds with Board Members and IFA Staff 

7:00 AM - 6:15 PM       Registration Desk Open

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM       Exhibit Hall Open for Breakfast

Education – Concurrent Breakout Sessions. Recommended for you:

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM    Emerging Franchisor Summit: Elements of Successful Franchising

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM  Morning Beverage Break with Community Service Project

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM  Thought Leadership Roundtables 
Sit in for two 40-minute conversations, with the same facilitator and topic each round.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM     Exhibit Hall Open with Lunch 

Education – Concurrent Breakout Sessions. Recommended for you:

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM       Effective Marketing for Emerging Brands – The Brand, The Brand, The Brand

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM       Afternoon Beverage Break

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM       Closing General Session, with leadership and diversity awards, plus a powerful keynote speaker. 

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM       Exhibit Hall and Reception

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM       FranPac Happy Hour

9:00 PM - 12:00 AM     IFA Unplugged

8:00 AM - 11:30 AM       Sign up to secure your seat. 

Choose Your Immersive Session 

• Use the power of storytelling to influence others and tell your own story in “The Art of Story Telling: Increase Influence, Captivate Customers, Develop Deeper Relationships.” 
• See how digitalization, AI, cloud technologies, and automation can make your life easier in this IFA Immersive Workshop, “How Will You Think About Integrating Technology Across the Enterprise?"
• Join “The Four Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Wildly Important Goals” to learn why some organizations achieve their stretch goals while others are bound to fail. 

Want to see all educational sessions and events that IFA’s Annual Convention has to offer?