Franchisee Track Agenda - IFA 2022 Annual Convention
We want you at the most important franchising event of the year – the IFA’s 2022 Annual Convention.
With over 50 compelling sessions and countless networking opportunities, figuring out your daily game plan can quickly become overwhelming. And you’re probably thinking…what’s in it for me?
As a Franchisee/Operator, this recommended schedule is a great place to get started with determining how to spend your time and get the most value out of your investment in joining us this February.
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Concurrent ICFE Special Sessions
Whether you're a new CFE Candidate or a current CFE working towards recertification, ICFE Special Sessions give you the opportunity to gain hundreds of CFE Education Credits in a short period of time. During the two-day Special Sessions, you're in store for a wealth of knowledge through engaging courses. By attending sessions on both Friday and Saturday, you can earn up to 500 CFE credits. For more information on the available courses, please click here. Want to learn more about becoming a Certified Franchise Executive, the industry gold standard? Click here.
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Franchisee Hospitality Lounge Open
Want to meet with fellow franchisees from across the nation? Need a place to check email or check-in with your store? Swing by the Franchisee Hospitality Lounge in between sessions for refreshments and to network with colleagues from across the nation!
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Concurrent ICFE Special Sessions
For more information on the available courses, please click here.
12:00 PM – 4:15 PM Annual Leadership Conference
Modern Leadership - Embracing New Ways of Being, Knowing, and Doing. The 2022 Annual Leadership Conference will feature franchise leaders who are embracing a new style of leadership to accelerate transformation for the future. From consumer and employee brand relevance, to changing workplace environments, to the necessary evolution of profitability models -- learn what they’re doing and how you too can become a modern leader. Lunch and Reception included. Additional fee applies.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM Franchisee Forum Meeting
(open to all Franchisees)
OR
4:40 PM – 6:00 PM New Member & First-Time Attendee Briefing and Reception
Is this your first time at an IFA Annual Convention? Have you recently joined IFA as a Member? Stop by this briefing on IFA and Convention tips and tricks from veterans and franchising professionals. The briefing will run from 4:40 pm – 5:00 pm and be followed immediately by the New Member & First–Time Attendee Reception with IFA Committee Meet Ups where attendees can learn more about all IFA Member Committees and how to get involved.
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 2022 Opening Reception
Join us and Cheers! as we kick off the start of IFA’s 2022 Convention with a bang! Don’t miss this first opportunity to network with your peers.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM New Member & First-Time Attendee Dine Arounds
Need help taking the first step in forging new business relationships? New this year, IFA will be creating 2 small groups of 10 to dine at a nearby restaurant. Get a taste of San Diego while creating bonds with your fellow attendees. Open to New IFA Members or First-Time Convention Attendees Only. Additional fee applies.
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Registration Desk Open
6:30 AM - 7:45 AM Prayer Breakfast
A non-denominational event, the Prayer Breakfast is a great way to start the day with music, reflection, inspirational speakers and food for both body and mind. Additional signup required.
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Franchisee Hospitality Lounge Open
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Opening General Session
Our opening general session will celebrate the VetFran 30th Anniversary and the IFA Major Award Winners. This session will include a motivational keynote speaker and franchise veteran speakers
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Morning Break in Exhibit Hall
All registered attendees are welcome to come take a look at the latest and greatest in products, services and systems available from our Exhibitors! The IFA Exhibit Hall offers something for everyone. This year, all provided meals will take place in the Exhibit Hall, offering attendees many chances to meet all 2022 Exhibitors.
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Education Session
We recommend you attend the below educational session during this time.
Show Me the Money! Focusing on Franchisee Unit Level Economics
In this session for franchisees – and all operators – we will learn from Franchisor and Franchisee leaders about how developing a laser focus on key performance indicators in your unit sets performance expectations and drives profit. Cost pressures, including labor challenges, will continue to affect your operating model. As margins tighten, keeping a sharp eye on expense line items and reacting swiftly to any variance is key to profitability and growth. Expect to hear best practices for creating your unit’s scorecard that maximizes operations, drives out waste, and grows your financial success.
Moderator: Tam Kennedy, Franchisee, Owner - Taco John's, Twin City TJ's, Inc.
Speakers: Sam Ballas, CFE, President & CEO, East Coast Wings + Grill; Gary Robins, The G & C Robins Company
11:15 AM – 5:00 PM Foundation Community Service Project
Stop by throughout each day of Convention to participate in this year’s Franchising Gives Back Service Project – no pre-registration required! Service project to be announced soon.
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM Education Session
We recommend you attend the below educational session during this time.
Company Culture: Your North Star for Retention
In this interactive session for franchisees - and all business leaders with teams – we will explore company culture cues that improve employee satisfaction and strengthen the bond that keeps your team with you longer. From recognition ideas to creative compensation and benefits packages, learn how to program your culture in ways that drive meaningful interest in a workplace rather than a job. We will share and generate ideas, so that everyone leaves with tools that build and keep great teams!
Speaker: Lisa Lombardo, Chief People and Culture Officer, HDG Hotels
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM Networking Lunch with Exhibitors
(Doors open at 12:15pm with lunch service at 12:30pm)
1:45 PM – 3:30 PM Intensive Summit
We recommend you attend the below Summit during this time.
The Wealthy Franchisee Approach to Building Teams & Boosting Performance
A franchise business is only as good as the employees who run it. But there’s a lot more to building great teams than hiring good people and training them in their work. They must also be nurtured and trained in teamwork. Pulling in concepts from his seminal book The Wealthy Franchisee, franchise performance expert Scott Greenberg will show you how to create workplace conditions that foster unity and loyalty. Then he’ll show you a simple yet powerful hard-skills employee coaching tool that will enable you and your managers to quickly diagnose what an employee needs for a particular situation and determine the best corresponding coaching method to boost their skill set, mindset, and overall performance. If you have a business that relies on employee being great, this powerful, practical session is not to be missed.
Moderator: Tam Kennedy, Franchisee, Owner - Taco John's, Twin City TJ's, Inc.
Speaker: Scott Greenberg, Franchise Expert, Business Performance Consultant and Author, The Wealthy Franchisee
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Afternoon Break in Exhibit Hall
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Education Session
We recommend you attend the below educational session during this time.
Leveraging Capital through Growth and Crisis
This session will explore the various forms and different definitions of capital available to franchisees during periods of growth and crisis.
Moderator: Azim Saju, President & CEO, HDG Hotels
Speakers: Eric Easton, CFO, Ampex Brands; Barbara Nuss, Founder, Profit Soup; David Pepper, CDO, Choice Hotels International
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Chairman’s Reception with Exhibitors
OR
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM CFE Celebration with 2021 & 2022 Graduates
Whether you are a current CFE or celebrating your graduation this year, join us to network with others who have achieved the designation and toast to those who have just completed! Open to all current CFEs and the graduating classes of 2021 & 2022 only.
7:00 AM – 6:30 PM Registration Desk Open
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Franchisee Hospitality Lounge Open
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM General Session
Monday’s general session will highlight 2021 and 2022 CFE graduates, share a franchisor brand story and highlight a keynote speaker with a focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion.
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Morning Break in Exhibit Hall
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Foundation Community Service Project
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Education Session
We recommend you attend the below educational session during this time.
Build Your Grass Roots Leadership Program as a Labor Solution!
In this interactive session for franchisees -and all business leaders with teams –we focus on how to utilize a Leadership culture to create a management pipeline. Business owners know that promoting from within lowers turnover and provides a more wholly qualified team with experiences learned in-house. A strong development channel and promotion process is an effective answer to recruiting challenges. The panel will share examples of how structured development plans create successful transitions for new leaders that are managing their former peers. Plan to leave with useable ideas that you can easily put to work in your company!
Moderator: Jyoti Sarolia, Past Chair, Choice Hotels Owners Council
Speakers: David Burton, Choice Hotels of Tulsa, OK; Clint Ehlers, President & CEO, FASTSIGNS of Lancaster & Willow Grove, PA; Indi Nandra, Mathnasium of West Marietta, GA
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Networking Lunch with Exhibitors
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Education Session
We recommend you attend the below educational session during this time.
Have a Plan! A Franchisee’s Guide to Wealth Management and Succession Planning
Success doesn’t happen overnight. Building your business is hard work - it takes vision, strategy, and a relentless focus on executing your plan. Managing your success requires the same discipline. Attend this session and learn more about wealth management, succession planning, and taxation for today’s franchisees.
Speakers: Carty Davis, Partner, C Squared Advisors, LLC; Ian Kang, Partner - Core Tax Service, BDO USA
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Afternoon Break in Exhibit Hall
3:00 PM – 5:20 PM Thought Leadership Roundtables
(Previously known as Business Solution Roundtables)
Hosted by franchise executives and Supplier Forum members, don’t miss this unique opportunity to sit down at a roundtable of 10-12 people and exchange ideas, challenges, solutions and best practices with some of franchising’s most accomplished CEOs, presidents and COOs. Pose questions and listen to their success stories, lessons learned and innovative business solutions.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM IFA Block Party
Don’t miss your last chance to network with our 2022 Exhibitors and learn about the products, services and systems they have to help your business.
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Franchisee of the Year Celebration
Join us as we recognize this year’s Franchisee of the Year Award Winners!
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Franchisee Open House Reception
(Open to Franchisees only)
Come network with fellow franchisees, IFA leadership and Franchisee Forum members at this exclusive VIP event.
9:00 PM – 12:00 AM IFA Unplugged
After dinner, close out your evening with a little dancing or a nightcap at IFA Unplugged!
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Foundation Community Service Project
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM Specialty Seminars
These are concurrent deep-dive sessions on specific initiatives the IFA and IFA Foundation support. Learn how your business or system can participate in and/or support these efforts! Choose whichever session interests you the most.
- VetFran: Winning the War for Talent: Tapping into the Veteran Pipeline
- DE&I: Recruiting and Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs
- Franchising Gives Back: Integrating Philanthropy into Your Franchise’s DNA
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Closing General Session
Our final general session will celebrate the Franchisee of the Year award winners with keynote speaker messages focused on workforce development and engagement.