2026 Emerging Franchisor Conference Agenda

Please note: schedule is subject to change.

Monday, November 16

Time Session
3:00 pm – 3:45 pm Pre-Event Networking Break with Table-top Exhibitors
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm Welcome
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm Opening General Session

Speaker: Shelly Sun Berkowitz, Founder, BrightStar Care; Founder & CEO, Founder 2 Founder & Next Phase Capital

4:30 pm – 4:35 pm IFA Update

Speaker: Matt Haller, President & CEO, IFA

4:35 pm – 5:45 pm Town Hall: Lessons in Leadership

Join IFA member seasoned leaders, for an informative town hall about growing and protecting your emerging brand. Each of these executives will share their words of wisdom from decades in franchising, touching on what they would do again as well as what they would do differently if starting their brand over today. This session will include a town hall style question and answer opportunity for attendees, so come ready with your questions for the speakers!

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Happy Hour

Enjoy an evening of music, networking and camaraderie with your fellow attendees and meet other members of IFA team.

Tuesday, November 17

Time Session
7:30 am – 5:00 pm Registration Desk Open
8:00 am – 9:00 am General Session
9:00 am – 9:30 am Networking Break with Table-Top Exhibitors
9:30 am – 10:30 am [3] Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth & 1:1 IFA Board Member Meetings
10:40 am – 11:25 am Roundtable Topic Discussions

Sponsor facilitators to lead 1 round of 40-minute topic discussions

11:35 am – 12:35 pm [2] Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth & 1:1 IFA Board Member Meetings
12:45 pm – 2:05 pm C-Suite “FRANHACK” Problem Solving Roundtables with Lunch

This is a group activity that adds value to every attendee by connecting them with seasoned franchising and operations experts (“mentors”) in a problem-solving setting. Come prepared with a specific problem in your field you would like to find an innovative solution for. After a brief introduction, the mentor asks participants what their specific problem is and other attendees at the table can offer relevant feedback and ideas based on experience.

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm [3] Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Networking Break with Table-Top Exhibitors
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm Roundtable Topic Discussions

Sponsor facilitators to lead one round of 40-minute topic discussions

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm General Session
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Reception with Table-Top Exhibitors
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Sponsored Dine Arounds

Stress free networking — Need help taking the first step in forging new business relationships? Join a small group of ten franchisors to dine at a nearby restaurant. Get a taste of Nashville while creating bonds with your fellow attendees. (Included in registration fee.)

Wednesday, November 18

Time Session
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Registration Desk Open
8:00 am – 9:00 am [2] Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth
9:00 am – 9:45 am Networking Break with Table-Top Exhibitors
9:45 am – 10:45 am [2] Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth & 1:1 IFA Board Member Meetings
11:00 am – 11:45 am Closing General Session

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