IFA™S VETERAN™S ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WINS COVETED SUMMIT AWARD

For Immediate Release
Contact: Alisa Harrison 202-628-8000

The IFA Program is One of Six Chosen out of 38 Applicants

WASHINGTON, DC, July 22, 2008—The International Franchise Association (IFA) has received one of the six 2008 Summit Awards from the American Society of Association Executives for its Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran), the IFA announced today.

“We are honored to win the coveted Summit Award,” said Matthew Shay, IFA president and CEO. “This award validates the hard work by our members and staff to provide opportunities to help former military personnel achieve the American dream of small-business ownership. We are grateful that the ASAE committee recognized the many contributions that franchising makes to our society. “

ASAE serves approximately 10,000 associations that represent more than 287 million people and organizations worldwide. Each year, up to 50 associations are selected to receive the ASAE Associations Advance America Award of Excellence for improving the quality of life in America today. This year, 38 organizations were selected in three rounds. The six Summit Award winners, including IFA, were chosen from this group.

To honor those men and women who have served in the U.S. military, VetFran was developed to help them transition to civilian life. The idea of the late Don Dwyer Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, VetFran is a voluntary effort of International Franchise Association member-companies that is designed to encourage franchise ownership by offering financial incentives to honorably discharged veterans.
To date, purchases of franchised businesses by former military personnel have reached 1,155 and more than 200 others are currently in negotiation. There are nearly 350 franchised businesses from which to choose. Most participating franchise companies offer significant reductions of the initial franchise fee required at purchase. Company details and their incentives for veterans may be viewed at www.franchise.org “VetFran Directory.”

As part of the ASAE’s Center for the Association Leadership’s Associations Advance America program, the Summit Award is given to the very best efforts engineered by associations across the country in areas like public education/information, economic development, business and social innovation, skills training/development and civic and volunteer activities. The Summit Awards will be presented Sept. 23 at an awards dinner in Washington, D.C.

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About The International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of more than 1,300 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site www.franchise.org.

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