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Emerging Franchisor Conference

Are you looking to become the next big brand? Whether you are trying to kick-start your franchise system or take it to the next level, IFA’s Emerging Franchisor Conference was designed for entrepreneurs like you.
CFE Credits Available
Yes
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November 19 - 21, 2019
|

Hilton Nashville Downtown
121 4th Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37201
United States

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Our primary mission at IFA’s Emerging Franchisor Conference is to help emerging franchisors know what it takes in today’s real world to grow, protect and evolve an emerging franchise brand to the next stage of sustainability.

Agenda

The objective for emerging franchisors is to get past emerging and achieve sustainability. Many of the biggest challenges emerging franchisors face stem from the difficulty in grasping all of franchising’s nuances— the passion, hard work and everything else it takes to design, build and grow a successful franchise business, which is different in key respects from the franchisor’s core business. As an emerging franchisor, there is nothing more important than understanding and embracing the key strategic pillars to sustainable growth.

IFA’s EFC 2019 is in Nashville this November, so come hear the sweet sounds of success from many of the country’s top franchise executives, all of whom fully believe in giving back to today’s emerging franchisor leaders, just as they were helped by others when they too were at that emerging stage.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2019

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm                       Registration Desk Open

2:15 pm - 3:30 pm                         Welcome and General Session

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm                       Problem-Solving Roundtables

Come to this session with the top 2-3 “burning issues” or top challenges you face at your business. Attendees, seated around roundtables, brainstorm solutions, share best practices and ideas to address these challenges. Each table is facilitated by an experienced franchisor C-Suite executive. These potential solutions are reported out to the group live.

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm                       Happy Hour at Tin Roof Nashville

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

8:00 am – 5:00 pm                      Registration Desk Open

8:00 am – 8:30 am                      Continental Breakfast with Table-Top Exhibitors

8:30 am – 9:30 am                       General Session: Effective Collaborative Leadership is the Difference Maker for Emerging Franchisors     

One of the biggest challenges for emerging franchisors is not the franchise network’s products and services, but rather learning how to be an effective franchisor in addressing all of franchising’s nuances and challenges. During this session we engage in a robust discussion on the following:

  • How do we lead franchisees in a way that builds trust, and what are the key leadership differences now that I am an emerging franchisor?
  • How do we create the right culture where franchisees have a voice and are key stakeholders in the brand, but we don’t give up my decision-making authority as the franchisor?
  • How do we build productive franchise relationships to sustain our brand’s growth through effective system change and ever-changing customer demands?

9:30 am – 10:15 am                     General Session: Simplifying Financing for Emerging Brand Franchisees

  • When should we begin to discuss funding with a candidate?
  • How involved should I be in the funding process?
  • What are the best practices?
  • Am I ready for the SBA?

10:15 am – 10:30 am                   Refreshment Break with Table-Top Exhibitors

10:30 am – 11:30 am                   General Session: How to Successfully Scale Your Franchise Business and Avoid the Pitfalls of Growth

  • Understanding the pain of not adjusting properly for growth.
  • How to know when to hire the next group of employees.
  • Best practice of a franchisor org chart.
  • Understanding the ROI of proper franchisee support.
  • Franchise engagement throughout the process of growth.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm                  Two Concurrent Sessions

1. Get a Grip on Your Business: Traction and the EOS Way to Structure for Success 

A vision without a plan is a wish. Join us and learn how EOS [Entrepreneurial Operating System] can put your business on an organized path to success through action, not wishful thinking. We share important elements of the system we use and offer real, actionable tips and insights from franchisors and franchisees that use this tool. Learn why so many companies have used this tool, and your first steps to implement in your business.


2. Building Your Advisory Board: What No One Else Will Tell You But What You Really Need to Know

Wondered the best way to go about pulling together a top-notch, momentum-building Advisory Board but not sure how to do it or if you even should? Join us for this session as we explore best practices along with the “What Not to Do’s” of assembling a winning Board to help move your company forward. We cover how to outline parameters for participation, compensation, terms of service, service roles, meeting frequency and other must-cover topics you need to hear before you step into building your Advisory Board. If you’ve been thinking about bringing on an Advisory Board, but wondered if you should, this session is for you.

12:35 pm – 2:05 pm                   Boxed Lunches with Roundtable Discussions

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm                       Two Concurrent Sessions

1. How to Grow your Brand on a Modest Budget 

Developing your brand doesn’t have to break the bank. Join us for this session and learn how to generate exposure by implementing creative and cost-efficient strategies to increase brand awareness and grow your brand. 

2. TBD

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm                       Refreshment Break with Table-Top Exhibitors

3:45 pm – 5:30 pm                      General Session: Franchise Sales Process and Keys to Success

The growth of a franchise brand is dependent on a strong business model, solid unit level economics, great brand recognition and choosing the right franchisees. During this General Session you learn how to profile your ideal franchise candidate and how to build a sales strategy to find, qualify and on-board them. A brain power exercise helps identify the top three lead sources for awarding franchises. Finally, you learn how to budget appropriately for your growth and develop sound marketing strategies to effectively spend your franchise development marketing dollars to provide a solid ROI for your efforts. Join us to strengthen and improve your franchise sales process!

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm                       Reception with Table-Top Exhibitors

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

8:00 am – 2:45 pm                       Registration Desk Open

8:00 am – 8:30 am                       Continental Breakfast with Table-Top Exhibitors

8:30 am – 9:30 am                       General Session: Financial Acumen - The Bottom Line

9:30 am – 9:45 am                       Refreshment Break with Table-Top Exhibitors

10:00 am – 10:45 am                   General Session: "Ask the Experts"

A 'speed dating' session where franchise experts are stationed at tables and attendees can sit and chat with them for 5-7 minutes and then move on to the next expert of their choosing.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm                   Two Concurrent Sessions

1.    From Business Owner to Franchisor: Best Practices for Happy, Healthy Franchisees

Now that you have recruited and closed the sale, how do you ensure your franchisees are successful? Learn best practices for onboarding and training and continued franchisee engagement including: 

  • Smart Start: Setting your franchisee up for success. 
  • Communications: Gone are the days of reading email: Intraweb, Webinars, Video, Face to Face.
  • Benchmarking Data: Business is all about results. 
  • Freedom Within the Framework: How to manage brand integrity when working with entrepreneurial franchisees. 
  • Franchisee Engagement: Feed Them! Brand promise, cause marketing, franchising gives back.


2.    Unit Level Economics 

12:15 pm – 1:30 pm                      Closing General Session with Luncheon

1:30 pm                                         Conference Adjourns

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2019

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm                       Registration Desk Open

2:15 pm - 3:30 pm                         Welcome and General Session

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm                       Problem-Solving Roundtables

Come to this session with the top 2-3 “burning issues” or top challenges you face at your business. Attendees, seated around roundtables, brainstorm solutions, share best practices and ideas to address these challenges. Each table is facilitated by an experienced franchisor C-Suite executive. These potential solutions are reported out to the group live.

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm                       Happy Hour at Tin Roof Nashville

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

8:00 am – 5:00 pm                      Registration Desk Open

8:00 am – 8:30 am                      Continental Breakfast with Table-Top Exhibitors

8:30 am – 9:30 am                       General Session: Effective Collaborative Leadership is the Difference Maker for Emerging Franchisors     

One of the biggest challenges for emerging franchisors is not the franchise network’s products and services, but rather learning how to be an effective franchisor in addressing all of franchising’s nuances and challenges. During this session we engage in a robust discussion on the following:

  • How do we lead franchisees in a way that builds trust, and what are the key leadership differences now that I am an emerging franchisor?
  • How do we create the right culture where franchisees have a voice and are key stakeholders in the brand, but we don’t give up my decision-making authority as the franchisor?
  • How do we build productive franchise relationships to sustain our brand’s growth through effective system change and ever-changing customer demands?

9:30 am – 10:15 am                     General Session: Simplifying Financing for Emerging Brand Franchisees

  • When should we begin to discuss funding with a candidate?
  • How involved should I be in the funding process?
  • What are the best practices?
  • Am I ready for the SBA?

10:15 am – 10:30 am                   Refreshment Break with Table-Top Exhibitors

10:30 am – 11:30 am                   General Session: How to Successfully Scale Your Franchise Business and Avoid the Pitfalls of Growth

  • Understanding the pain of not adjusting properly for growth.
  • How to know when to hire the next group of employees.
  • Best practice of a franchisor org chart.
  • Understanding the ROI of proper franchisee support.
  • Franchise engagement throughout the process of growth.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm                  Two Concurrent Sessions

1. Get a Grip on Your Business: Traction and the EOS Way to Structure for Success 

A vision without a plan is a wish. Join us and learn how EOS [Entrepreneurial Operating System] can put your business on an organized path to success through action, not wishful thinking. We share important elements of the system we use and offer real, actionable tips and insights from franchisors and franchisees that use this tool. Learn why so many companies have used this tool, and your first steps to implement in your business.


2. Building Your Advisory Board: What No One Else Will Tell You But What You Really Need to Know

Wondered the best way to go about pulling together a top-notch, momentum-building Advisory Board but not sure how to do it or if you even should? Join us for this session as we explore best practices along with the “What Not to Do’s” of assembling a winning Board to help move your company forward. We cover how to outline parameters for participation, compensation, terms of service, service roles, meeting frequency and other must-cover topics you need to hear before you step into building your Advisory Board. If you’ve been thinking about bringing on an Advisory Board, but wondered if you should, this session is for you.

12:35 pm – 2:05 pm                   Boxed Lunches with Roundtable Discussions

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm                       Two Concurrent Sessions

1. How to Grow your Brand on a Modest Budget 

Developing your brand doesn’t have to break the bank. Join us for this session and learn how to generate exposure by implementing creative and cost-efficient strategies to increase brand awareness and grow your brand. 

2. TBD

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm                       Refreshment Break with Table-Top Exhibitors

3:45 pm – 5:30 pm                      General Session: Franchise Sales Process and Keys to Success

The growth of a franchise brand is dependent on a strong business model, solid unit level economics, great brand recognition and choosing the right franchisees. During this General Session you learn how to profile your ideal franchise candidate and how to build a sales strategy to find, qualify and on-board them. A brain power exercise helps identify the top three lead sources for awarding franchises. Finally, you learn how to budget appropriately for your growth and develop sound marketing strategies to effectively spend your franchise development marketing dollars to provide a solid ROI for your efforts. Join us to strengthen and improve your franchise sales process!

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm                       Reception with Table-Top Exhibitors

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

8:00 am – 2:45 pm                       Registration Desk Open

8:00 am – 8:30 am                       Continental Breakfast with Table-Top Exhibitors

8:30 am – 9:30 am                       General Session: Financial Acumen - The Bottom Line

9:30 am – 9:45 am                       Refreshment Break with Table-Top Exhibitors

10:00 am – 10:45 am                   General Session: "Ask the Experts"

A 'speed dating' session where franchise experts are stationed at tables and attendees can sit and chat with them for 5-7 minutes and then move on to the next expert of their choosing.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm                   Two Concurrent Sessions

1.    From Business Owner to Franchisor: Best Practices for Happy, Healthy Franchisees

Now that you have recruited and closed the sale, how do you ensure your franchisees are successful? Learn best practices for onboarding and training and continued franchisee engagement including: 

  • Smart Start: Setting your franchisee up for success. 
  • Communications: Gone are the days of reading email: Intraweb, Webinars, Video, Face to Face.
  • Benchmarking Data: Business is all about results. 
  • Freedom Within the Framework: How to manage brand integrity when working with entrepreneurial franchisees. 
  • Franchisee Engagement: Feed Them! Brand promise, cause marketing, franchising gives back.


2.    Unit Level Economics 

12:15 pm – 1:30 pm                      Closing General Session with Luncheon

1:30 pm                                         Conference Adjourns

IFA Member Franchisor or Franchisee
450
Register
Franchisor Member Buy Two Get the Third 50% Off (when all attendees register together)
225
Register
Non-Member Franchisor or Franchisee
850
Register

Location & Travel

The 2019 Emerging Franchisor Conference will be held at the Hilton Nashville Downtown in Nashville, TN. IFA has reserved a block of rooms at the hotel for a rate of $259/night for a single or double standard room. You may reserve your hotel room by calling 615-620-1000 or clicking the link in the FAQ section below. The deadline for making a reservation is October 28, 2019, or when the IFA room block is filled, whichever is first. Once the room block is sold out, reservations will be accepted on a space availability basis at the group rate.
Hilton Nashville Downtown
Hilton Nashville Downtown

121 4th Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37201
United States

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Sponsors

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FAQs

To contact the IFA Conferences Department, please email
events@franchise.org or call 202-662-0763.

 

Please note: this program is for franchisors and franchisees only. Only supplier members who are sponsoring the event are able to attend. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lynette James at ljames@franchise.org or 202-662-0782.

How can I book a hotel room?

WHAT IS THE CANCELATION POLICY?

CAN I EARN CFE CREDITS BY ATTENDING?

I would like to submit myself (or someone else) to be considered as a speaker. How do I do that?

Please Note: NO third party vendors are authorized to sell our event attendee list, and NO third party vendor is authorized to book hotel rooms through our room block. Be sure to book your reservations for IFA's Emerging Franchisor Conference (EFC) through the website and phone number listed on this web page or directly through the hotel. Don't be fooled by offers from third party sources indicating that they are officially booking rooms or selling attendee lists for the IFA 2019 EFC - they are NOT affiliated with IFA or our conference. Buyer beware many of these offers are fraudulent attempts to solicit money from you for a non-existent reservation or list.