As more events return to happening in-person, the opportunity has never been better for those in the franchise industry to meet with peers, network and share best practices.
IFA’s 2022 Annual Convention, franchising’s biggest event for business development and personal growth, is coming up in the last week of February. As the largest, most relevant conference for the franchise community, this event is curated to take everyone in the franchise industry to new heights — whether it be franchisors, franchisees or suppliers. Now, as the IFA’s first in-person annual international convention since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s event offers an invaluable and highly anticipated opportunity to network with and gather best practices from peers.
The IFA Convention will be held at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California between February 26 and March 1, 2022. The schedule includes a detailed agenda of breakout sessions, roundtables, networking events and more, all designed to appeal to the diverse group of people in the franchising world.
The event this year has many franchisors, franchisees and suppliers expressing excitement about being able to get back together and bond over the challenges they collectively went through in 2020 and 2021. Although heightened safety protocols may make it look a bit different than past conventions, it will still be a welcome relief for many who are tired of gathering virtually. Whether it be labor shortages or supply chain issues, franchisors, franchisees and suppliers have a lot to discuss and can help each other overcome ongoing challenges.
For example, some of the wide-ranging topics franchisors and franchisees can expect to focus on during the convention include how to develop solid franchisee support programs, run franchise advisory councils, and develop best marketing practices. Other topics will include signing multi-unit franchisees, franchisee unit level economics, securing private equity transactions and what is happing in the mergers and acquisitions landscape.
The IFA is also the largest association that is currently lobbying and fighting for rights in regards to the franchising industry, which means, franchisors and franchisees have the opportunity to meet the people who can have a significant impact on the space at large.
The convention will also give franchisors a chance to network with some of the industry’s top vendor partners in the Exhibit Hall, which offers a one-stop shopping experience for the latest and greatest in services and products available to the franchising community.
Now, as franchise businesses focus on growth and look to 2022 and beyond, the IFA Convention can be an invaluable resource for both emerging and existing franchisors, as well as for franchisees and suppliers. It is time to come together, get back to business and start making decisions that benefit the future of the franchising industry.