2007 IFA Annual Convention

• DCS Article 2007 IFA Annual Convention - Ceasars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada USA.pdf

DCS Article 2007 IFA Annual Convention - Ceasars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada USA.pdf

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Each year the International Franchise Association (IFA) holds a convention in the United States that attracts franchisors, franchisees, franchise executives, lawyers, consultants, national and international government agencies, service providers and movers and shakers in the global franchising galaxy.

Attending international franchising conferences creates the opportunity to rub shoulders with franchise pioneers, founders and executives of many of the brands that are well-known to us all.

This year the convention was held in Las Vegas, the convention capital of America. It was the biggest franchise convention that both America and the world had ever seen. Under the slogan “Building the Future Together” the conference brought together over 3,500 delegates, speakers and suppliers from every continent, representing every national Franchise Association, developed country and many emerging economies. It proved to be a fabulous learning experience and a great networking event for all who attended.

The program included over one hundred different round table topics and scores of learning sessions on almost every topic that impacts a franchise network and its franchisees.

The Americans have brought together some interesting keynote speakers to the WA convention over the years including George and Barbara Bush (on stage together sharing stories about George Jr.) and Rudy Giuliani, the ex-mayor of New York (famous for cleaning up the city and the mafia and now a U.S. Senator). 2007 was no different with the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich discussing the political climate in Washington.

Australians represented the largest foreign delegation at the conference with over 30 franchising executives from across Australia attending the four day event.

The first two days of the event were focused on franchise executive education and were operated as part of the IFA sponsored Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE) program. These ICFE special sessions earned executives who attended core or elective credits towards becoming qualified as a Certified Franchise Executive. These sessions are not included in the convention registration but are purchased separately depending on the session and were very well attended. In many cases, places sold out months before the conference registration closed.

This convention also provided an opportunity to benchmark Australian franchising practices against the best in the business in the U.S.

Australians are well regarded in the U.S. Our team of Australian delegates created a very positive impression with all those we came in contact with both during the conference sessions, workshops, round tables and the inevitable socialising that is part of the relationship building in every conference. Key members of the Australian delegation not only attended the conference but were part of the program. Greg Nathan of the Franchise Relationship Institute co-moderated the “Franchise Relations Clinic” and moderated the “A Remedy for Growing Pains” session. Stephen Giles spoke at the “Legal Update from around the World” session and John O’Brien, the Franchise Council of Australia Chairman and Managing Director of PoolWerx spoke on “International Development”.

I also co-presented the “International Business Development for Senior Executives” session as part of the ICFE program and co-conducted a roundtable on “Franchising in China” In my view Australia is punching well above its weight and our franchising practices are world-class.

The convention clearly illustrated that the U.S. market is very franchise friendly. America offers a substantial opportunity for Australian-based companies with the right international franchise program and market entry strategy to expand into the biggest economy in the world. Expatriate Australians now living in the U.S. represented brands such as Bark Busters, Barbecues Galore and Results Corporation and many other franchises with Australian origins demonstrate the opportunities.

The 48th annual IFA convention will be held in Orlando, Florida in February 2008 and for those with an appetite for franchising it is well worth putting on your travel agenda.

 

Sept-Nov 2007

Rod Young

Rod Young is Executive Director at DC Strategy.

DC Strategy is the region’s leading specialist consulting and legal firm. Our specialist teams in Strategy, Franchising, International and Legal have developed the networks and brands of many of the region’s most successful businesses. Contact Rod Young at rod.young@dcstrategy.com