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Symposium 1: Who Else Wants To Be A Successful Franchisee? (separate fee required)
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9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Room 501A |
Presented by: John P. Hayes, PhD, President & CEO, HomeVestors of America, Inc.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, cut-to-the-quick, show me how to evaluate franchises so that I can buy one that’s right for me information . . . this is the symposium you need. This is the perfect symposium for people who are just getting started with their research, as well as those who are close to making a decision to buy a franchise. Click here for more detail
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Teaching Business Planning to Unit Managers
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10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 511B |
Presented by: Marla Rosner, Senior Consultant, Training, Michael H. Seid & Associates
Whether they work for company owned stores or franchisees, in most franchises, managers come up through the ranks having started as front line personnel. They’re often promoted as outstanding role models who also have the respect of their peers, but may have little to no business acumen. Though franchisors and franchisees often provide training for unit managers, business planning is one core skill that is often overlooked. This workshop introduces franchisors and franchisees to a simple approach to use in developing their managers’ business acumen. Franchisors will find this useful for training new franchisees and company managers as well. Participants will have an opportunity to start their own one-page business plan using an approach easily passed along to managers.
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Beyond Single Unit Franchising: Expanding Franchise Systems Through Multiple Unit And Third Party Arrangements
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10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 513 |
Presented by: Gaylen Knack, Partner, Gray Plant Mooty and Max Schott, II, Partner, Gray Plant Mooty
Many franchisors chose to expand their franchise systems through direct, single unit franchise agreements. Although common, this approach may not be best suited for franchisors desiring rapid growth, international development or expansion with more limited resources to sell or service franchises. This seminar focuses on some of the most popular multi-unit expansion models, including multiple unit development arrangements, area developer arrangements and master franchising (also called sub-franchising). We will discuss the basic components of each model, as well as their respective advantages and challenges, and how these may vary depending upon whether an arrangement is for a territory in the United States or abroad. Best practices for getting the most out of each of the different expansion models will be discussed.
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Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities and Women Part 1
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10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 511A |
Moderated by: Stan Friedman, President, ACI Franchising, LLC Panelist: Miriam L. Brewer, Director of Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
Are you looking to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself? Are you contemplating a career move and don’t know what to do next? Do you want more than just a job? Investigate what opportunities exist for women and minorities in this unique way of doing business. You will have the opportunity to participate in an educational seminar to address opportunities for small business ownership through franchising. Sponsored by 
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5 Habits of a Highly Successful Franchisor
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10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 512 |
Presented by: Brian Schnell, Partner, Faegre and Benson and Bill Killion, Partner, Faegre & Benson
Most franchisors have implemented a number of best practices that make them successful. But what habits make a franchisor highly successful. Undying devotion to The Brand, knowing and balancing the interests of the franchisor, franchisee and franchise system as a whole, and empowering franchisees are just a few highlights that will help a franchisor take their system to the next level. This dynamic session will feature a robust discussion that will enable you to fully understand what you can do today that will make a difference tomorrow.
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Co-Branding and Multi-unit Branding
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11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 512 |
Presented by: Bret Lowell, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP and Marc Mushkin, Senior VP, International Development, Pollo Tropical
Co-branding and multi-branding – which entail two or more distinct, branded businesses operating under one roof – are popular and valuable methods for franchise system expansion into new markets and/or new distribution channels. This seminar will explore business, legal, and practical issues and strategies for establishing co-branding alliances, including identifying and evaluating a potential strategic partner; structuring the branding relationship; analyzing the legal and operational issues that confront the branding partners; developing a pilot program; and identifying the franchise law issues unique to co-branding.
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Ready, Set, Go! Steps to Awarding Your First Franchise
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11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 511B |
Presented by: Marc A. Kiekenapp, Managing Partner, Franchise Outsource
Where do I start? My documents are complete. Now what? Do I personally sell the first few? If I want to hire a sales professional, where do I find them? Should a new franchisor start with a broker network? Are there consulting firms that can help? What media sources should I use? Do I target market areas or build out the entire country? What is the profile of the candidate for my business? Should I use earnings claims? The launch is the most CRITICAL part of the foundation of your business and will determine your future success and culture of your organization.
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Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities and Women Part 2
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12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 511A |
Moderated by: Stan Friedman, President, ACI Franchising, LLC Panelist: Miriam L. Brewer, Director of Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
Are you looking to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself? Are you contemplating a career move and don’t know what to do next? Do you want more than just a job? Investigate what opportunities exist for women and minorities in this unique way of doing business. You will have the opportunity to participate in an educational seminar to address opportunities for small business ownership through franchising. Sponsored by 
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Franchisor’s Role in Franchisee Financing
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1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 512 |
Moderated by: Bret Lowell, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP Panelists: John Dring, Chief Operating Officer, Cartridge World North America; Nate Greenberg, President and COO, Siegel Financing Group; Danna Oweida, Client Solutions Specialist, FRANdata
Many franchisors assist their franchisees in obtaining financing. Learn about the different approaches to franchisee financing, including franchisor-sponsored and non-sponsored financing. This session will cover many aspects of franchise financing programs, including identifying successful industry models and examining the pitfalls of less successful programs. The session will also explore the use of tri-party agreements, the types of direct financing available to multi-unit and other franchisees, how to choose between lenders and lender products, the steps needed to obtain a loan, and the types of loans available for different purposes (i.e., new franchises vs. remodels). Finally, we will discuss opportunities for franchisors to assist their franchisees in understanding various credit programs and successfully navigating the debt markets.
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Symposium 2: Franchising Your Business Part 1 (separate fee required)
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1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room 511B |
Presented by: Michael H. Seid, Managing Director, Michael H. Seid & Associates and Kay Marie Ainsley, Managing Director, Michael H. Seid & Associates: Panelist: Marisa Faunce, Transactional/Trademark Partner, Plave Koch, PLC
If you are thinking about expanding your current business through franchising, this symposium will provide the opportunity to learn from experts in the field. Click here for more details. Sponsored by 
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Access to Capital: SBA Loan Programs
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room 511A |
Presented by: Lorenzo Flores, Deputy District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
Hear from the experts about how to prepare and obtain the right financing for you. Learn about the different SBA Loan Products that are available and business loans that include start-ups, expansion, acquisitions, equipment, working capital, inventory and commercial real estate.
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Specialty Seminar: How to Become a Multi-unit Franchise Owner (separate fee required)
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2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 501A |
Moderated by: Darrell Johnson, President, FRANdata
Franchisors are seeking prospective franchisees that will become multi-unit ownership. There is a clear need to better understand how multi-unit operations change the way franchisees must operate. This program is designed to help you gain that understanding. Sponsored by 
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Specialty Seminar: Franchising 101 for Veterans
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2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Room 513 |
Moderated by: John P. Hayes, PhD, President & CEO, HomeVestors of America, Inc.
The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran), provides low-cost entry to franchising for America’s Veterans. This program was founded by Don Dwyer, Sr. of the Dwyer Group and is supported by the International Franchise Association (IFA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Center for Veterans Enterprise, U.S. Dept. Veteran Affairs. This FREE seminar will include specific information about the basics of franchising, finance opportunities available through the Small Business Administration’s loan program and will include discussions from veteran franchisees. Sponsored by
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Selling Franchises Without Getting Into Trouble
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2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Room 512 |
Presented by: Joseph W. Sheyka, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP
Federal and State franchise laws are complicated and carry heavy penalties. Learn how to comply with these laws in the selling process, whether you sell by phone, at your office, at trade shows or over the Internet. The program will cover topics such as sales staff training, recordkeeping, sales material review, earnings claims, Internet selling, transfer and renewal issues, and dealing with compliance problems.
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How to Finance Your Franchise (Repeat)
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3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 511A |
Presented by: Nate Greenberg, President and COO, Siegel Capital LLC
What investment level can I afford? What are my options? What preparation and steps are necessary to attain financing? How do I make myself look attractive to lenders? In this seminar we will discuss how to use financing as a tool to help you achieve your goals through business ownership. We will explore financing opportunities available to you through the SBA program, equipment leasing, as well as other potential financing options.
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