By Matt Haller, President & CEO, International Franchise Association

Last week, I had the honor of cutting the ribbon at the inaugural IFA World Franchise Show, held in beautiful Miami Beach. Together with our partner Fortem International, we welcomed thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibiting brands to a franchise expo that wasn’t just new — it was purposefully reimagined.

This was more than just another trade show. It was a commitment to responsible franchising, to elevating the expo experience, and to helping the next generation of entrepreneurs explore life-changing opportunities with clarity, confidence, and connection.

 

Why IFA Stepped into the Expo Business

This wasn’t a small decision. Unlike our previous licensing relationships in the expo space, IFA took an ownership stake in this event. We did that because we knew we could do more. We wanted to bring something new to the table — something that reflected modern franchising and the real needs of today’s prospective franchisees.

We partnered with Fortem International because of their global event expertise and shared values. And we engaged with many of our largest members — from Neighborly and their 30 home franchise concepts, to global behemoths like Dine Brands — to help shape an experience that was elevated, educational, and energizing.

 

A Reinvented Experience, Built Around Value

From the very beginning, our goal was to reinvigorate the franchise expo model. That meant creating a space where serious, curious, and first-time entrepreneurs could connect directly with franchise leaders — and not just behind pipe-and-drape booths.

Instead, our teams worked hard to create an open, immersive environment where education, connection, and exploration happened side-by-side. Six content theaters were located right on the show floor — no breakout rooms, no barriers to entry. These theaters were packed with standing-room-only sessions delivered by some of the most influential names in franchising.

Attendees heard from multi-unit operators, supplier experts, and C-suite executives who shared practical lessons from their unique experience.  Topics ranged from Tony Zaccario, CEO of Stretch Zone sharing practical lessons on culture to multi-unit, multi-brand franchisees Jesse Keyser, Charles Keyser, Mitch Cohen and Lauren Rybinski sharing their expertise on the essential steps to buying a franchise. All who attended had the opportunity to learn how to assess franchise opportunities, navigate real estate challenges, and ask the right questions — all in real time, from leading experts.

 

Franchising the Right Way

At IFA, our mission is to protect, enhance, and promote franchising — and that includes ensuring it’s done responsibly.

That’s why we believe franchise expos matter now more than ever. This is where responsible franchising starts — in the first conversation, the first question asked, the first moment of consideration. We owe it to those exploring franchising to provide honest, transparent, and informative environments to begin that journey.

“Franchising curious” attendees deserve more than a sales pitch. They deserve education, examples, and evidence that this business model works when done right. That’s what this event delivered.

 

A Catalyst for the Future

It’s no surprise we chose Florida — one of the states leading the country in franchise growth — as the location for this inaugural show. With more than 66,000 franchised businesses projected in Florida in 2025, employing over 702,000 people, this region is a powerful example of franchising’s economic and community impact.

And thanks to the support of local leadership, including the City of Miami and Debbie Blas from Mayor Francis Suarez’s office, who joined our ribbon-cutting and shared proudly that “Miami is open for business,” we felt right at home as we launched this global initiative.

We’re proud of what we built together. But more importantly, we’re energized by what comes next.

 

What’s Next

Yes, we’ll be back in South Florida next year, but we’re also exploring other locations and markets — both in the U.S. and abroad — where this model of expo can thrive and grow. Because we believe face-to-face conversations will always have a place in franchising, especially when it comes to making decisions that can change someone’s life.

To every franchisor, franchisee, and supplier who helped make this inaugural show a success — thank you. Your presence, energy, and commitment validated the bet we placed on this new model. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to build this platform with you, for years to come.