IFA Press Releases

Posted October 25, 2021

INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION WELCOMES BILL MEIERLING AS VP OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

Washington, D.C. – The International Franchise Association (IFA), the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide, has added Bill Meierling to its leadership team as Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing. 

In this role, Meierling will be responsible for spearheading strategies to support the IFA’s mission to protect, promote and enhance franchising as he leads all aspects of external communications across a broad range of issues and projects.



“We are thrilled to have Bill join IFA and help tell the story of the franchising community to internal and external stakeholders,” said Matt Haller, IFA President and CEO. “Bill’s experience implementing public affairs and marketing campaigns that drive member value, increase revenue and innovate our product offerings will be critical to IFA as the franchise sector leads the economic recovery and continues to grow.” 



Meierling joins the IFA from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), where he served as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of External Relationships and Strategic Partnerships since 2013. During his time at ALEC, Bill established and grew the public affairs and membership divisions as new initiatives for the nation’s largest organization of state and local elected officials.



“Franchising is a key pathway to opportunity in the smallest communities and biggest cities across America and around the world,” said Bill Meierling. He continued, “I’m looking forward to enhancing and promoting public awareness of the franchising system and the consumer choice and business opportunity it provides.”



Meierling brings with him over 16 years of strategic communications and policy experience and has held roles at United Way Worldwide, Edelman and OpinionMakers International where he was a founding partner. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from Hampden-Sydney College and his Masters of Political Management from The George Washington University, where he lectured in its Graduate School of Political Management.</div>

</div>

About the International Franchise Association</div>

Celebrating 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.



###</div>

Contact</div>

Press Contact</h2>

Name:

Erica Farage

</div>

Phone:

(202) 662-0760</a></div>

</div>

Email:

efarage@franchise.org</div>

</div>
</div>
</article>

</div>
</div>

</div>

Search

We represent excellence in franchising education, events and advocacy. We’re here to support your growth, connect our community, and protect our business model. Advancing every aspect of franchising since 1960, IFA is the collective power of our membership.

About Us

Contact Us

Careers

Login & Profile

Login | View Profile

Stay connected
Franchise Opportunities
Find a Franchise

© 2026 International Franchise Association. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Manage Consent

To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Functional Functional Always active

The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.

Preferences Preferences

The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.

Statistics Statistics

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.

Marketing Marketing

The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.

Manage options

Manage services

Manage {vendor_count} vendors

Read more about these purposes

View preferences

{title}

{title}

{title}

Manage Consent

To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Functional Functional Always active

The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.

Preferences Preferences

The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.

Statistics Statistics

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.

Marketing Marketing

The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.

Manage options

Manage services

Manage {vendor_count} vendors

Read more about these purposes

View preferences

{title}

{title}

{title}

Member Feedback Form

Member Feedback Form

Share your ideas for webinars, whitepapers, case studies, or event sessions to enrich our community.

Name(Required)
First Last
Email(Required)

Organization(Required)
Suggested Topic Title(Required)
Recommended Format(s)(Required)
Webinar
Whitepaper
Case Study
Event Session
Other
Briefly describe your topic and why it would be valuable to the community.

Advocacy Summit Interest Form

Advocacy Summit Interest Form

Name(Required)
First Last
Company(Required)
Email(Required)

IFA Member Type(Required)

Franchisor

Franchisee

Supplier

Not an IFA Member

Legal Symposium Interest Form

Legal Symposium Interest Form

Name(Required)
First Last
Company(Required)
Email(Required)

IFA Member Type(Required)

Franchisor

Franchisee

Supplier

Not an IFA Member

Emerging Franchisor Conference Interest Form

Emerging Franchisor Conference Interest Form

Name(Required)
First Last
Company(Required)
Email(Required)

IFA Member Type(Required)

Franchisor

Franchisee

Supplier

Not an IFA Member

Request Franchise Information

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On
To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Franchise
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Page
Your Name(Required)
First Last
Your Email Address(Required)

Your Phone(Required)
Your Address(Required)
Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Are you a Veteran?(Required)

Yes

No
Level to Invest(Required)

Supplier Request

Find a Supplier

Find a Supplier

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On
To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Supplier
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Page
Your Name(Required)
First Last
Company(Required)
Your Email Address(Required)

Your Comments/Questions(Required)

VetFran Star Application

1, 3 or 5 Star Application - VetFran Program

Star Application Form
Please complete this form and submit your FDD. After we receive your documents, it normally takes 3-5 days to process & approve your application. We're excited about your interest in our program.
Are You Applying For 1, 3 or 5 Star?

1 Star

3 Star

5 Star
Company Name(Required)
Contact Name(Required)
First Last
Title
Email(Required)

Phone(Required)
Address(Required)
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Home Based Opportunity
Yes
Is your brand home based AND has NO territory restrictions?
Eligibility Checklist
IFA Membership(Required)
Standard Franchise Fee(Required)
Regular fee in dollars
Veteran Discount Fee(Required)
Discount in dollars
Veteran Discount %(Required)
Item 19FPR's(Required)
Yes
No
Required for 3 & 5 star
How many years of continuous operation?(Required)
Minimum of 3 years
Number of Open Units(Required)
Minimum 25 units for 3 star & 50 units for 5 star
At least 80% continuity rate past 3 years?(Required)
Yes
No
Required for 5 star only
One CFE on Staff?(Required)
Yes
No
Required for 5 star only
Will your company agree to abide to IFA Code of Ethics as a condition of membership? *(Required)
Yes
No
Attach FDD(Required)
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Do You Have a Veteran Specific Fran Dev Webpage? If Yes, Include It Here.
IFA Code of Ethics

Ask The Experts

Got a Question? IFA’s Supplier Members are here to provide expert advice, resources, and tips to help you grow your brand. Explore a variety of industry services and get your questions answered.

Your Name(Required)
First Last
Title(Required)
Company(Required)
Email Address(Required)

Ask the Expert(Required)

Abby Schmidt, Paychex

Karen Booze, CFE, AnswerConnect

Matthew Montoya, Constant Contact

Xan Gulish, Consumer Fusion

Michael Minitelli, Benetrends

Gabriella Ferrara, Scorpion

Joseph Mohay, Ignite Visibility

Jonathan Hill, Morrow Hill
Your Question(Required)

Advertise With Us

Advertise with Us

Advertise with Us

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On
To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
Your Name(Required)
First Last
Title(Required)
Company(Required)
Your Phone(Required)
Email Address(Required)

Budget Range(Required)
Tell us about your campaign goals and target audience.(Required)

VetFran Newsletter

Name
First Last
Email

Join the VetFran Program

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On
To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
Interested in joining the VetFran program? Submit your contact information and we will follow up with you.
Your Name(Required)
First Last
Company(Required)
Title(Required)
Email Address(Required)

Your Phone(Required)

Tell Your Story

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On
To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
The power of franchising and its contribution to workforce, community, diversity and veterans is easily found in the impactful stories of local franchise owners.
Your Name(Required)
First Last
Email Address(Required)

Zip Code(Required)
Tell Your Story

Open for Opportunity

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On
To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
Join an Open for Opportunity event in your area to get involved and share your franchising success story. Sign up here to be notified when Open for Opportunity comes to you.
Your Name(Required)
First Last
Company
Title
Email Address(Required)

Your Phone
Zip Code(Required)
I would like to
Participate and/or attend an Open for Opportunity event
Learn more about franchising
Buy a franchise
Sign up for free, online franchise education classes

Request Membership Information

Complete our membership request form and our Membership Team will follow up with you.

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On
To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
Your Name(Required)
First Last
Title(Required)
Company(Required)
Company Website(Required)
Phone(Required)
Email Address(Required)

Membership Type(Required)

Franchisor

Supplier

Franchisee

Learn About Franchising

How to Get Started

Conducting Your Research

Finding Your Franchise

News & Media

Research

IFA Resources

Featured Resources

Events – Column 1

Events – Column 2

Events – Column 3

Getting Started

Certifications

Special Programs

Advocacy

Issues

Research

Programs – Column 1

Programs – Col 2

Programs – Col 3

Membership – Col 1

Membership – Col 2

Learn About Franchising

How to Get Started

Conducting Your Research

Finding Your Franchise

News & Media

Research

IFA Resources

Featured Resources

Events – Column 1

Events – Column 2

Events – Column 3

Getting Started

Certifications

Special Programs

Advocacy

Issues

Research

Programs – Column 1

Programs – Col 2

Programs – Col 3

Membership – Col 1

Membership – Col 2

Press Contact</h2> Name:</span> Erica Farage</span> </div> Phone:</span> (202) 662-0760</a></div> </div> Email:</span> efarage@franchise.org</div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div>

Search

Press Contact</h2>

Name:</span>

Erica Farage</span>

</div>

Phone:</span>

(202) 662-0760</a></div>

</div>

Email:</span>

efarage@franchise.org</div>

</div>
</div>
</article>

</div>
</div>

</div>