September 2010
Franchising World

The International Franchise Association’s 11th annual Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. Will you be in town for this premier event?

By Meredith Nethercutt 
     
More than 500 of the International Franchise Association’s most engaged and active members will come to the nation’s capital in September to play key roles in the association’s premier advocacy event, the Eleventh Annual Public Affairs Conference. No doubt they’ll leave a  strong  impression  with  lawmakers about issues that directly affect their  franchise’s bottom line. Now is the time for members of the franchising industry to play key roles in guiding decisions that will be critical to the  future of franchise businesses.
  
Ask yourself: “What will I  be missing if I don’t dedicate 36 hours to protecting my business?”
  
Spend an afternoon on Capitol Hill visiting your U.S. senators and  representatives with other franchise members from your state, voicing the industry’s opinion about how  current legislation may help or harm your business.  ADP is the Founding Sponsor of IFA’s Public Affairs Conference and the Franchisee of the Year Awards.
  
Show Washington, D.C. You Can Make a Difference 
What’s the best way to influence an undecided lawmaker? The No.1 way is for constituents to meet with their members of Congress. The Public Affairs Conference (formerly “Franchise Appreciation Day”) is your unique opportunity to speak to your members of Congress about how your business is helping to move our economy forward. With a key mid-term election coming up this fall, it is critical that your elected officials know the contribution franchising makes to the nation’s economy.  
  
Receive Education on Key Franchise Political Issues 
Most Americans can’t name their members of Congress, let alone have ever contacted them. By attending the conference, you will get an inside perspective on the business of the nation’s capital that few people ever receive. And when you return home, you’ll have a greater understanding of how the legislative process truly functions and how individual voters can make a difference. The conference offers access to the decision-makers in this country; some of the most  powerful members of Congress will be speaking to you as a franchise  leader, making this particular event a unique opportunity for all  IFA members.
  
Hear from political pundits and get the “Inside the Beltway” perspective on national politics from keynote speaker Chuck Todd , NBC News political director and chief White House correspondent. Leading experts from Capitol Hill and the Washington, D. C. community will be discussing key  issues affecting your business today: taxes, union legislation and federal regulations. Nowhere else will you be able to get up-tothe-minute information you need to protect your company against special interests and the threats of big government. With representatives from both political parties slated to address the audience, conference attendees will be getting perspectives from both sides of the political aisle just before heading to Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon.
  
Take Advantage of Your Chance to Impact Key Legislation 
By attending the Public Affairs Conference, you may be in Washington just as key IFA-supported legislation is debated. Plus, this will be the last critical time lawmakers are in town before heading back home to campaign before Election Day.
  
When government relations is not your full-time job, getting a handle on the issues is a daunting task. Learn all the latest information regarding legislation affecting the franchise industry during IFA’s legislative issue roundtables and briefing on Monday afternoon, which will feature helpful tools and information on our key conference issues. Plus, it will give you an intimate and less intimidating arena to ask questions, talk to fellow business operators, and hear best practices from IFA’s most elite advocates.
  
Make a Wise Business Investment
   Did you know that every year the federal government spends almost one-third of the gross domestic product of the entire country? That’s a lot of power in the hands of the U.S. Congress. By visiting your members of Congress and becoming   more educated on issues that directly impact your small business, you can help influence the congressional decisions that are likely to affect the cost of running your franchise. Plus, there is no registration fee to attend IFA’s Public Affairs Conference.  
  
Every day in Washington, Congress is bombarded with letters, phone calls and lobbyist visits from special interest groups opposed to small-business issues. Without your perspective as a franchise-industry   constituent, members of Congress will be less informed when making decisions that affect your business. Your presence in Washington will provide you with the skills to positively impact your bottom line while sending a clear message to Congress that you don’t want the federal government raising the costs of running your business.
  
Everyone Else Will Be Here 
Enjoying the camaraderie of friends pursuing a common goal in franchising is a major benefit of this particular IFA event this month. Network with your fellow politically-active and engaged franchisors, franchisees and suppliers to hear best advocacy practices while enjoying the hospitality of the nation’s capital. We’re expecting to surpass last year’s recordsetting attendance; more than 500 IFA members will be in Washington. Make sure you aren’t left out of this premier event. 
  
Enjoy Hospitality at Its Finest 
In addition to the serious work of lobbying our elected officials, we know you will enjoy two evenings of great hospitality during the conference. A sneak preview of our three reception events:
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Leadership & Franchisee of the Year Awards Dinner(Monday evening): The welcome reception at the JW Marriott Hotel is once again going to honor those who have made a difference in the franchise community this year. Come celebrate and gather with your friends and allies in the franchising world.

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Congressional Reception(Tuesday evening): We will hold our reception for members of Congress in the House Ways and Means Committee Room, a prime location for meeting with lawmakers. Enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres and cocktails with members of Congress and staff, along with your fellow delegates. This not-to-bemissed event will be a highlight of this year’s conference.  
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FranPAC Congressional Dinner(Tuesday evening): As part of this year’s Public Affairs Conference, we’ll hold ourµ annual FranPAC Congressional Dinner at Washington, D.C.’s exclusive restaurant, Central. The private dinner will offer libations and cuisine from celebrated restaurateur Michel Richard, and will offer guests who donate to IFA’s Political Action Committee a unique view of Pennsylvania Avenue and the U.S. Capitol. The dinner will get under way at 7 p.m. directly following IFA’s Congressional Reception. For more information about the dinner or FranPAC, contact IFA Director of Political Affairs Victoria Adams at 202-662-0781. 
  
Why Not Attend? 
We know you have other obligations keeping you occupied during these busy months. However, if you are not in Washington from Sept. 13-14, you’ll miss a valuable opportunity to educate your representatives in Congress about the issues affecting your bottom line. It’s not too late–visit the Public Affairs section of IFA’s Web site 
www.franchise.org and register.
  
While we understand that economic troubles are plaguing small businesses   right now, there is no price tag on the future of your franchise if many pending bills are signed into law. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to participate in key decisions on the issues that matter.
  
As 2009 IFA Chairwoman Dina Dwyer-Owens, CFE, says: “You can sit on the sidelines and hope for the best…or you can join with hundreds of other IFA members–franchisors, suppliers and franchisees–to make your voices heard.”
  
Also, if you have yet to join IFA’s social media Web sites online, we invite you to “friend” Franchise Congress on Facebook, and be sure to follow our updates on
(Twitter@FranchiseCong  ). The latest Public Affairs Conference information will be posted on these sites as updates occur.
  
Meredith Nethercutt is director of advocacy of the International Franchise Association. She can be reached at 202-662-0760 or 
mnethercutt@franchise.org .
Contact her with questions about IFA’s 11th Annual Public Affairs Conference or visit 
www.franchise.org,
“Events.”