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Conference Schedule

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Conference Schedule

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

 KEYNOTE THEATER 1

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11:00
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    In this session, CEO of Dine Brands Global – parent company of Applebee's, IHOP, and Fuzzy's Taco Shop – will give us a look at the headlines and trendlines impacting businesses today, what it means t ...
11:45
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Explore the transformation of franchising from small Mom-and-Pop operations to thriving family empires. Delve into the workforce's shift from corporate jobs to business ownership, driven by the allure ...
12:30
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Join 40-year franchising veteran, former franchisee and current President & CEO of PuroClean, Steve White, for a discussion exploring how franchising can be a strategic pathway to entrepreneurship. Th ...
13:15
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    In this session Brad will share from personal experience important attributes of a sturdy, sustainable franchise system that values strong relationships with their franchisees, and how to discover the ...
14:00
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Creating the proper culture is pivotal for any business, especially in franchising where the culture flows through all levels: from the home office, to the franchisees, and then their local teams. At ...
14:45
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    This keynote dives into the core principles that drive thriving franchise systems, where both people and profits grow together. From the science of unit-level economics to the art of collaboration, tr ...
11:00
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Expanding into multi-unit franchising offers an exciting pathway to growing your portfolio and multiplying your success. For franchise owners ready to scale, learn from other franchisees' approach wit ...
11:45
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Join Jim Holthouser, CEO of GoTo Foods, with nearly 40 years of global franchising expertise in travel and F&B. Discover how to forge powerful franchisee-franchisor partnerships, sidestep common pitfa ...
12:30
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Join Clarence Howell III as he reveals how to leverage your unique gifts and systems thinking to create a culture of excellence in franchising. Drawing from his success as both a franchisee and busine ...
13:15
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Join us for an insightful and interactive session featuring Jhonny Mercado, a multi-unit, multi-brand and multi-country franchisee, as he shares his journey, experiences, and key lessons from the worl ...
14:00
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    Embarking on a franchising journey opens a world of exciting possibilities, but it can also provoke anxiety—much like preparing for your first child. Regardless of the brand, you will likely find the ...
14:45
  1. Keynote Theatre 1
    A dynamic seminar designed for founders in early stage eager to elevate their concept. Discover innovative strategies that blend excitement with practical execution, ensuring your brand stands out in ...

 

IFA Theater

SEMINAR THEATER 2

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11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 2: IFA Theater
    This seminar, led by Fernando López de Castilla, CFE, Founding Partner of GNF Worldwide, a thought leader in global franchising, will explore growth opportunities and emerging trends in the franchisin ...
12:00
  1. Seminar Theater 2: IFA Theater
    "The Basics of Franchising" is a discussion with franchise experts aimed at introducing aspiring minority business owners, executives, or others to the world of franchising. The experts cover the fund ...
13:15
  1. Seminar Theater 2: IFA Theater
    Franchising 101 With VetFran & Diversity Institute - VetFran shares Navigating Your Franchise Journey: Choosing the Right Opportunity Unlock the potential of franchising: designed to guide aspiring Ve ...
14:30
  1. Seminar Theater 2: IFA Theater
    Join industry expert Dave as he immerses you in the world of franchising, providing invaluable insights for both aspiring franchisors and potential franchisees. Drawing from his extensive experience, ...
11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 2: IFA Theater
    Unlock the potential of franchising: designed to guide aspiring Veteran franchisees through the essential steps and key considerations in selecting the franchise that aligns with their goals. Whether ...
12:30
  1. Seminar Theater 2: IFA Theater
    Join us for an inspiring discussion on the power of women in franchising! This panel will explore leadership, mentorship, and business growth, sharing real stories and actionable strategies from top f ...
14:00
  1. Seminar Theater 2: IFA Theater
    This seminar, led by Larry Kruguer, Senior Director of GNF Worldwide in the U.S., will focus on the key strategies to bring your brand to the U.S. market. With extensive experience in franchise expans ...

SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND

SEMINAR THEATER 3

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11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Showcase your Brand
    Tee Box is redefining the golf industry with a franchise model built for long-term success. By leveraging recurring revenue through subscription-based memberships, disrupting traditional golf retail w ...
11:45
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Showcase your Brand
    A look into franchise brands expanding into the United States. Topics to touch on: *How do you assess and qualify candidates? *Where do you look to enter the market? *Key elemants of the right partner ...
12:30
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Showcase your Brand
    Finding affordable, high-quality health benefits for employees is one of the biggest challenges franchise and business owners face today. Rising costs, limited options, and complex regulations complic ...
13:15
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Showcase your Brand
    Straight talk from a serial franchise CEO with 30 years of experience. Hear about what it takes to be successful as a franchisee and owner operator in the franchise industry. Your capital is precious ...
14:00
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Showcase your Brand
    Join Jeff as he shares the journey from baking bagels in his home kitchen to building a cult-favorite brand with a fast-growing franchise network. Learn how to craft an authentic, unforgettable brand ...
14:45
  1. This seminar offers a deep dive into digital advertising, designed to equip service-based businesses with essential strategies for success. Topics range from the "Shocking Truth About Digital Ads," re ...

DAY IN THE LIFE

SEMINAR THEATER 3

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11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Day in the Life
    Curious about what it’s really like to own a franchise? Join Laura Sintes, proud owner of three School of Rock locations in South Florida, as she takes you behind the scenes of her entrepreneurial jou ...
11:45
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Day in the Life
    So, you’ve signed the deal—now what? The journey from signing a franchise agreement to opening day is full of moving parts, and knowing what to expect can make all the difference. In this session, Bri ...
12:30
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Day in the Life
    Come learn about operating a drug testing franchise in the $5 Billion drug testing industry. Where did drug testing start and why do we need it if marijuana is legal in some states? Do you remember Ju ...
13:15
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Day in the Life
     In this session you will gain valuable insider tips on how to properly vet a franchise brand and the franchisor. 
14:00
  1. Seminar Theater 3: Day in the Life
    In this high-impact session, Tiam, founder of Let’s Get Moving, shares the real-world strategies he used to turn a small moving company into a nationally recognized franchise brand. From finding the f ...

EXPERT PANELS

SEMINAR THEATER 4

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11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 4: Expert Panels
    This session introduces the essential steps to buying a franchise—from understanding what franchising truly involves, to evaluating opportunities and navigating the legal and financial landscape. Atte ...
13:30
  1. Seminar Theater 4: Expert Panels
    Franchising is the most dynamic method of expanding a business. Business owners should gain a thorough understanding of what is involved in franchising in terms of franchise law, resources, costs, and ...
11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 4: Expert Panels
    Effectively expand your business through franchising. This class provides the essential knowledge required by prospective and emerging franchisors by teaching both the fundamental franchising principl ...

    Sponsored Session by

    MSA

14:00
  1. This session introduces the essential steps to buying a franchise—from understanding what franchising truly involves, to evaluating opportunities and navigating the legal and financial landscape. Atte ...

SEMINAR SESSIONS

SEMINAR THEATER 5

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11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    This informative session is tailored for business owners navigating the complexities of securing and negotiating commercial real estate leases. Presented as a conversational fireside chat, Red Boswell ...
11:45
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Join us for an unparalleled opportunity to gain insights from one of the most distinguished entrepreneurs in the franchising world, John T. Hewitt. With a career spanning over five decades, Hewitt has ...
12:30
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Have you thought about franchising your business, but don''t know where to start? This session is for the entrepreneur who wants to understand if franchising is right for them. We will take a look at ...
13:15
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Join Elliot Schiffer, Chief Development Officer of Youth Enrichment Brands, for an engaging seminar designed to help you navigate the world of franchising. Whether you’re passionate about music, sport ...
14:00
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Learn how to create a franchise development digital marketing and lead generation strategy tailored to your growth goals. Discover actionable industry benchmarks and key data points to optimize campai ...
14:45
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Every missed call is a missed opportunity. Franchises miss anywhere from 15% to 35% of their inbound calls meaning significant revenue is slipping through the cracks. In this session, we'll explore ho ...
11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Training is often viewed as a necessary cost of business but it can actually be a powerful investment that can drive business growth. Jeff will share structured framework and real world case studies t ...
11:45
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Ready to grow your franchise on a global scale? This seminar is packed with essential best practices for Franchisors expanding internationally and highlights what Franchisees should look for when brin ...
12:30
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    Are you ready to grow but don’t know which strategy is best for you? Franchising your business is a dynamic method of expanding, but is not right for everyone. This seminar will help you understand va ...
13:15
  1. We are all at our best when we are making connections. An unapologetic newcomer to the IFA World Franchise Show, LEO Events is here to “learn live”. Since 2012, our agency has earned a stellar reputat ...
14:00
  1. Seminar Theater 5
    This seminar covers the ins and outs of franchising your business. From launch to growth, strategies to expand your behind, and how to set up your franchisees for success. We will also touch on having ...

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SEMINAR THEATER 6

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11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 6: Professional Development
    Expanding from a single-unit owner to a multi-unit operator requires the right strategy, leadership, and financial control. Aicha Bascaro, a 30+ year franchise expert who has worked with brands like D ...
12:30
  1. Seminar Theater 6: Professional Development
    Your first year as a franchise owner is crucial to long-term success. Jerry Akers, a former corporate turnaround specialist turned multi-brand franchisee, has built 34 locations across Great Clips and ...
14:00
  1. Seminar Theater 6: Professional Development
    Starting a franchise is exciting but getting it right from day one is key to long-term success. Jerry Akers, a former corporate turnaround specialist turned multi-brand franchisee, has spent 20+ years ...
11:00
  1. Seminar Theater 6: Professional Development
    Thinking about buying a franchise? Understanding the financial side of ownership is key to making a smart investment. In this session, Aicha Bascaro, a franchise expert with over 30 years of experienc ...
12:30
  1. Seminar Theater 6: Professional Development
    Starting a franchise is exciting but getting it right from day one is key to long-term success. Jerry Akers, a former corporate turnaround specialist turned multi-brand franchisee, has spent 20+ years ...
14:00
  1. Seminar Theater 6: Professional Development
    Your first year as a franchise owner is crucial to long-term success. Jerry Akers, a former corporate turnaround specialist turned multi-brand franchisee, has built 34 locations across Great Clips and ...