IFA’s 2018 Annual Convention offers the chance to establish new business contacts and strengthen existing partnerships.

By Robert Cresanti, CFE

Heading into the 2018 IFA Annual Convention, which takes place Feb. 10-13 in Phoenix, Ariz., optimism in the franchising community is strong. A more business-friendly approach to the regulatory environment has helped change the tone in Washington. IFA has worked nonstop in recent months to help bring clarity to the National Labor Relations Board’s joint employer standard, resulting in the Save Local Business Act passing in the U.S. House of Representatives and, in December 2017, NLRB overturning the standard established in the August 2015 Browning-Ferris Industries case. Plus, the sweeping tax reform package passed in late December will help small businesses and job creators.

Let’s continue the positive momentum. It’s more important than ever to make new contacts and strengthen existing relationships at IFA 2018. The connections you’ll establish will prove beneficial for your business for years to come. Then there’s all the top-notch programming and events – Shark Tank star and entrepreneur Daymond John at the NextGen in Franchising Global Competition, an immersive learning experience with Music Paradigm, the always-popular Business Solution Roundtables and the return of the Emerging Franchisor Bootcamp.

One of the great strengths of franchising is how it brings people with common goals together. This concept of togetherness – not always apparent in the wider business community – is what’s driving IFA 2018, as well as the narrative for this year and beyond. Join us in celebrating what makes franchising such a life-changing business model. Together, we are more powerful than any single business, or industry, can be. Together, we can build a stronger future. Together, we are franchising.

Robert Cresanti, CFE, is President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. Find out more about IFA 2018 at www.franchise.org/convention.