Operations 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 franchise Operations professional, 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
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Concurrent ICFE Special Sessions
For more information on the available courses, please click here.
OR
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Emerging Franchisor Bootcamp
Does your brand have 100 units or less? This exclusive workshop will be a working session that will maximize time spent on problem-solving real issues. Each emerging franchisor will receive mentoring and peer input to a key business problem. This input will also help participants more effectively choose convention sessions and events that will further help them solve important issues. Additional fee applies.
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.
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.
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 - 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.
“The Great Retention” - How to Retain Your Existing Workforce
Why employees are leaving more now than ever before. Plus, actionable best practices to create a strong culture that can turn the Great Resignation into the Great Retention.
Moderator: Jenna Hilb, Director, Field Operations, Code Ninjas
Speakers: Abe Dunaway, Senior Director, Operations and Training, Hounds Town, Inc.; John Kutac, VP, Operations, Code Ninjas; Christina Russell, CFE, CEO, Sola Franchise LLC
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.
How to Win and Influence Franchisee Leadership
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” - Field staff must be passionate about helping franchisees succeed and grow their business, but ultimately all the passion in the world will not make a difference if the franchisee is not interested. This session will discuss best practices related to forging strong working relationships with a variety of franchisee personalities to strengthen your ability to influence them.
Moderator: Charlie Chase, President & CEO, FirstService Brands
Speakers: Clint Elhers, President & CEO, FASTSIGNS of Lancaster & Willow Grove, PA; Mike Hopkins, COO, Paul Davis Restoration; Joe Lindenmayer, CFE, Owner, California Closets of the Gulf Coast; Tom Wood, CFE, President & CEO, Floor Coverings International
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.
Operations Summit: Metrics that Matter: Using Data to Drive Unit-Level Economics and Help Franchisees Grow
Don’t miss this highly interactive session as we do a deep dive into how leading brands are using data to drive franchisee performance and growth. What are the KPIs that matter most? What tools are used to track and visualize progress? How are KPIs operationalized into actionable goals between business coaches and franchisees? Most importantly, how are franchisors using this data to help franchisees scale and grow? This is a must-attend session for anyone tasked with boosting franchisee performance. You will walk away with tools and tactical ideas on how to implement and/or refine a KPI-driven performance program in your franchise system.
Moderator: Eric Stites, CFE, CEO, Franchise Business Review
Speakers: Lisa Merry, COO, Junk King; Bruce Stone, President, Junk King of San Diego; Kim Juda, SVP, Operations, Clean Juice; Nathan Ring, Area Developer - Southern California, Clean Juice
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.
Training in 2022
Training post-pandemic. Which tools are you going to keep? Which tools do you plan to get rid of as soon as you can? Best practices developed in the virtual world that you would like to see continue.
Moderator: Katrina Mitchell, Chief Match Maker, Franchise Speakers
Speakers: Carisa Findley, VP, Learning & Development, TITLE Boxing Club; Evan Hackel, CFE, Founder & CEO, Tortal Training; Josh Hotsenpiller, CEO, JUNO; Heather Lane, VP, Training & Operations Services, FOCUS Brands
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
8:30 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 one of the below educational sessions during this time.
Overcoming the Labor Pandemic: Helping Your Franchisees to Help Themselves and Recruit New Staff
The lack of labor and challenges that come with worker shortages are not going away anytime soon. In a comprehensive study of the franchise marketplace preceding the pandemic, franchisors in the commercial/residential, personal services, and food service industries reported that 100% of franchise operators felt they could grow sales in their existing territories or geographic markets. However, 69% felt that labor was holding them back from realizing this growth. Their sentiment was they could get 2X to 5X more growth in the next 305 years if it were not for the challenges associated with finding the right people. Our panelists will share the 10 specific things to do to equalize the playing field.
Moderator: Stacie Waller, CFE, President, Franchise & National Accounts Division, Althans Insurance Agency
Speakers: Mitch Cohen, Franchisee, Sola Salons of New York; Mark Dawson, COO, Clockwork, Inc./Mister Sparky Electric; Marianne Murphy, CFE, VP, Brand Experience, Floor Coverings International
OR
From Franchise Development to Successful Franchisees, What Are the Best Tips to Ensure Success?
In this workshop, learn from your peer franchise owners and franchisors their best secrets and steps to selecting the best franchisee candidates during the development stage then ensuring the franchisees success during the lifecycle of their franchise.
Discussion Topics Include:
- Franchise Development has sourced and completed their vetting on a candidate. Franchise Development is ready to “award,” BUT no one else wants the candidate in the franchisee system. What to do?
- The Franchise Systems comes with specific processes and support of those processes. How do you ensure Franchise Development sets up reasonable expectations with candidates so there is synergy and understanding between the franchisor and franchisees regarding the system and the support? How do we not “oversale” yet “underdeliver”?
Moderator: Harvey Homsey, CFE, VP, Franchise System, Express Services, Inc.
Topic 1 Facilitators: Steve Rafsky, CEO, Loyalty Brands; Brian Schnell, CFE, Partner, Faegre Drinker; Len MacPhee, Shareholder, Polsinelli; Amanda House, CFE, 919 Marketing Company; Eric Stites, CFE, CEO, Franchise Business Review
Topic 2 Facilitators: Keith Dziki, CFE, Executive Director, Development, Wireless Zone; Tom Wells, CFE, Managing Partner, 10 Point Capital; Paul Pickett, CFE, COO, Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.; Joe Lewis, President & CEO, Smalls Sliders Franchising LLC
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.
What Leaders Are Thinking - The Transformational Supply Chain and Its Impact on Franchising
Numerous and varied events impact the resiliency of the supply chain that underpins every franchise system. Weather, lack of labor, consumer demands, product shortages, and public health emergencies have catapulted supply chains from demand systems to systems of redundancy, resiliency, and highly dependent on technology to give visibility into the impacts of these events and best methods for countering negative effects. Speakers will discuss what they have endured and learned to move their supply chains positively forward.
Speakers: Andrew Thengvall, CDO, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers; Bill Valentas, CFO, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers; Brian Wise, SVP, Operations, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
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.
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.
- C-Suite Think Tank & Forum Exchange (Open to Franchisor C-Suite Executives Only)
- 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.