2021 Leadership Summit Live Stream & FAN Day of Action

Join IFA and franchise leaders in a special signing ceremony of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Partnership Challenge. Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) created the Challenge in 2017 to strengthen public-private relationships with HBCUs to ensure the schools’ future sustainability, increase career prospects for their students, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within all sectors.

Moderator: Earsa R. Jackson, CFE, Member, Clark Hill Strasburger
Speaker: Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC)

Speakers: Catherine Monson, CFE, IFA Chair and President & CEO, Propelled Brands and Leadership Summit Co-Chair; Matt Haller, President & CEO, IFA; Tamra Kennedy, Franchisee Owner-Taco John's, Twin City TJ's, Inc. and Leadership Summit Co-Chair

Senator Manchin, time and time again, has proven his leadership skills and courage to work across the aisle and find common ground in Washington, DC, most recently with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. Senator Manchin, a former small businessperson himself, will share how Republicans and Democrats can find commonsense solutions to the challenges facing franchise businesses, workers, families, and communities across America.

Speakers: Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV); Larry Puccio, Lobbyist & Political Consultant

Education is one of the most vital elements to turn a franchise opportunity into long-term success. The International Franchise Association has long been committed to providing best practices and credentialed standards directly through our Certified Franchise Executive program and extensive IFA educational programming. We are also honored to collaborate with a growing number of colleges and universities who recognize the value of providing franchise-focused education to cultivate the pipeline of future franchise leaders; advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in franchising; invest in the long-term health and viability of the franchise business model; and demonstrate to the public and key stakeholders that franchising is an empowering path forward for many who may not otherwise find success as small business owners.

This session will be discussing exciting advancements and extensive investments in the state of franchise education and its role in raising awareness of the franchise business model.

Moderator: Rikki Amos, Executive Director, IFA Foundation
Speakers: Tariq Farid, CFE, Founder & CEO, Edible Brands; Wanda Williams, Head, Global Franchising, Yum! Brands, Inc; Shelly Sun, CFE, BrightStar Franchising, LLC

Hear an important GOP perspective from one of the biggest franchise champions in Congress — Congressman Dan Crenshaw. A retired Navy SEAL, Crenshaw served five deployments overseas. After an IED blast that changed his life forever, leaving him partially blind, Crenshaw was medically retired in 2016 and elected to represent the people of Texas’s Second Congressional District in 2018.

Speaker: Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)

In the 18 months since the COVID-19 pandemic slammed into the United States, few industries have been as hard hit as gyms and hotels. With the country reopening and the economy coming back online, these sectors still need relief, but the message is becoming harder and harder to deliver. In this session, we will dive into the current landscape for the fitness and hotel sectors and hear what relief is still needed and how Congress can help bring both sectors back to full strength.

Speakers: Dave Mortensen, President & Co-Founder, Self Esteem Brands; David Pepper, Chief Development Officer, Choice Hotels International; Tom Epstein, CFE, Franchisee Owner, Cycle Bar

Spin-Free News of the Day from a ‘Simple Country Pundit.’ Chris Stirewalt tells it like it is and isn’t afraid to draw on his now-famous ‘Stirewaltisms’ to get his point across. From hammering the “malarkey” unfolding in the Senate as Republicans pushed for a health care overhaul to advising presidential nominees to “suit up and show up,” Stirewalt is known for his singular way of reporting the news: tell-it-like-it-is commentary infused with first-hand anecdotes, hilarious phrasing, and smart insight. Humble and larger than life, Stirewalt’s gregarious persona keeps audiences engaged while delivering a succinct overview of our current political climate and a deep dive into issues that matter to his audience now, including analyzing races, breaking down what’s happening on Capitol Hill, taking apart legislative battles, and offering a bird’s eye view of what’s to come in politics. Speakers: Chris Stirewalt, Popular Political Analyst & Commentator, and Best-Selling Author; John Crawford, CEO & President, Jani-King International, Inc.
 

Administration officials will provide an important update on priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration, including actions to control the COVID-19 pandemic, provide economic relief, advance racial equity and civil rights, promote American competitiveness locally and globally, and strengthen U.S. national security.

Speaker: Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); Richard Snow, VP SBA National Franchise Relations, WSFS Bank, Ambassador, IFA Black Franchise Leadership Council

The Honorable Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce will share inside perspective on the agency’s efforts to accelerate the nation’s economic recovery from the COIV-19 pandemic through major legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and American Rescue Plan.

Keynote Administration Speaker: Don Graves, Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce

Join the Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who have the courage to work across the aisle and find common ground in Washington, DC. Listen to these elected leaders who find real world solutions to the challenges facing businesses, workers, families, and communities across America.

Moderator: Matt Haller, President & CEO, IFA

Speakers: Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA); Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)

The IFA is excited to discuss a first of it's kind survey from over 3,000 franchise owners that tells the true story of the franchsie business model and ownership produced by Oxford Economics and kick off the Open for Opportunity campaign that will highlight the faces of franchising that are as diverse as our businesses. By providing meaningful jobs and resources that equitably uplift our families and neighbors, we generate opportunity, stability, and wealth for the next generation to build a more equitable better tomorrow.

Moderator: Michael Layman, VP, Federal Government Relations, IFA
Speakers: Hamilton Galloway, Head of Consultancy, Americas, Oxford Economics; Jyoti Sarolia, Past Chairman, Choice Hotels Owners Council and Franchise Owner, Choice Hotels International; Tamra Kennedy, Franchisee Owner-Taco John's, Twin City TJ's, Inc.

Speaker: Matt Haller, President & CEO, International Franchise Association

Virtual action included sending emails and participating in social media campaigns - all so your voice can be heard! More details will be emailed to registered attendees.