WASHINGTON, June 6, 2011

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FOX News Channel and leading business and political correspondent Stuart Varney will headline the International Franchise Association’s 12th Annual Public Affairs Conference Sept. 13-14 in Washington.
“We are thrilled to have Stuart Varney as our keynote speaker at the IFA Public Affairs Conference,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira.  “As hundreds of Main Street franchise business owners descend on Washington this fall to meet with their lawmakers, Varney’s unique and respected perspective on the intersection of business, finance and politics will provide valuable insight to IFA members.”
Originally a Fox News Channel anchor, Varney joined the Fox Business Network as an anchor on October 15, 2007, where he served as host of the daily morning show,

Varney & Company
. Since joining FOX Business, he has contributed to the network’s weekday and weekend business programming, including:

Your World with Neil Cavuto, Bulls and Bears, Cavuto on Business, and  Cashin’ In
. He also is the substitute host for

Your World with Neil Cavuto
.
Formerly the host of CNBC’s broadcast of

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board with Stuart Varney
and co-host of

CNN’s MoneyLine News Hour
from 1999 to 2001, Varney joined the Fox News network in December 2003. He is also notably a founding member of CNN’s award-winning business team, and former host of both

Business Day and Business Asia
. He joined CNN upon its founding in 1980.
IFA’s annual Public Affairs Conference gathers franchise business leaders in Washington to inform Congress how public policy impacts the economic health of the franchise industry. IFA recently outlined its “

Solutions for the Economy

,” the franchise business community’s public policy goals that encourage economic recovery and job growth. Attendees at the conference will be communicating these goals to lawmakers throughout the conference.
“IFA supports pro-growth public policies that encourage economic recovery and job growth in the franchise business community,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira. “These include initiatives that increase small business access to credit, eliminate tax uncertainties, reduce the cost of health insurance and support veterans and minorities as small franchise business owners.”
Over 825,000 franchise businesses contribute $2.1 trillion in economic activity and provide for nearly 18 million jobs.  During the conference, IFA will name a Legislator of the Year, two members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who has supported a pro small business agenda, as well as host the Franchisee of Year Awards to recognize outstanding franchisees who have helped to move the industry forward.
IFA’s Public Affairs Conference is supported by Founding and Franchisee of the Year Awards Sponsor ADP. Additional sponsors include The UPS Store, HaynesBooone, LLP, Valpak, BeneTrends, Inc. Guidant Financial Group, BrightStar LifeCare, Coverall and Franchise Finance America. 
For more information about the 12th Annual IFA Public Affairs Conference,

click here

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About the International franchise Association

The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs. Through its awareness campaign highlighting the theme,
Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time,IFA promotes the nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic activity generated by franchising. IFA members include franchise companies in over 90 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.