FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON TO HEADLINE IFA ANNUAL CONVENTION

For immediate release

Contact: Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 5, 2008 – Former President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker for the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 49th Annual Convention, IFA announced today. Scheduled Feb. 14-17, 2009 at The Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, IFA’s convention attracts thousands of franchise professionals from hundreds of different systems for four days of activities geared to sharpen their industry skills during a variety of educational sessions and prime networking opportunities.

Elected President of the United States in 1992, and again in 1996, President Clinton was the first Democratic president in six decades to be awarded a second term. While in office, President Clinton’s accomplishments in the White House include increasing investment in education, providing tax relief for working families, helping millions of Americans move from welfare to work, expanding access to technology, encouraging investment in underserved communities, protecting the environment, countering the threat of terrorism and promoting peace and strengthening democracy around the world.

Since 2001, President Clinton has dedicated himself to philanthropy and continued public service through the William J. Clinton Foundation, which is focused on finding practical and measurable solutions to address pressing challenges at home and abroad. In addition to his Foundation work, President Clinton joined with former President Bush to help with relief and recovery following the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and to lead a nationwide fundraising effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He also served as U.N. Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery from 2005 to 2007.

The IFA Convention theme will reflect the association’s new branding effort and feature the new logo tagline, “Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time.” The educational sessions will focus on methods to keep franchised businesses growing, especially during the economic slowdown. Featured speakers include leaders in the franchising industry, experts in Generation Y, and a leading technology entrepreneur who will share ways to help companies build their brands through the latest innovations.

Another highlight of the convention will be the release of the first Economic Forecast of Franchised Businesses, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the IFA, that will reflect the sentiment of franchise business leaders for 2009.

For a complete IFA Convention schedule of events and to register, click here.

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 1,250 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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