Thought Leaders Share Strategies and Best Practices for Making the Most of Franchise Events
Franchise conferences and trade shows can be educational and full of opportunities, but they can also be overwhelming. Planning ahead is key to making the most of these exciting events.
Whether you are a franchise seeker, a franchise owner, or any kind of franchise professional, you’ll want to do your research on which shows to attend and how best to participate. With so many conferences and expos available both nationally and internationally, you’ll need to be selective — it’s virtually impossible to attend them all!
Through research and strategic planning, you can identify the events that best meet your specific business needs. For instance, some shows are tailored for franchise seekers, while others cater exclusively to franchise professionals. Some, like the recent International Franchise Expo (IFE) in New York City, offer something for everyone.
Year after year, IFE attracts people from all over the world for many different reasons. Big investors come to check out new brands, and folks looking to change careers come hoping to find the right fit. IFE offers networking opportunities, educational panels and features franchise brands of all types and investment levels.
Advice from the Pros
In a recent FranchiseWire article, franchise veteran Jack Monson made the observation that although more people are learning about franchise opportunities through online searches, they still attend shows for face-to-face interaction. As franchising grows to a projected 806,270 establishments this year, you can be sure that many of those franchisees were inspired to start their businesses after a visit to a franchise show.
Experienced franchise pros who frequent conferences and expos love to share tips and best practices. For example, IFPG President and franchise conference veteran Red Boswell attends about 20 franchise shows each year and is selective in his choices. He advises others to make their trips worthwhile. “When choosing franchise events to participate in (notice I didn’t just say ‘attend’), you should ask around. Franchising is one big family of folks who love to share. They’ll tell you which ones are the best for what you’re looking to accomplish,” he says.
Although I haven’t been to as many events as Boswell, I also had the pleasure of participating in several franchise shows this year. I can offer another piece of advice from my own experience: Wear comfortable shoes! Given the size and duration of these events, it’s perfectly acceptable — and advisable — to wear sneakers to stay comfortable throughout the day.
As you decide which franchise shows to attend, leverage the wealth of knowledge available from franchise experts. We’ve gathered practical advice from franchise thought leaders on how to navigate these events effectively. Here, they offer insights to enhance your experience and maximize the opportunities.
Bottom row, from left to right: Linda Nguyen, Eric Schechterman, Aaron Harper
Jade Blevens, Beauty Bungalows
“Meet as many people as possible, from Zors, Zees to suppliers. You can always learn something new.” —Jade Blevens
Allan Greer, Vya Inc.
“Plan ahead, determine what sessions you want to attend, and be ready to make new friends.” –Allan Greer
Michael Hyam, National Franchise Show
“Soak in all the information and visit the exhibit hall. The wealth of information you will obtain is invaluable from all the franchise experts!” – Michael Hyam
Michael Iannuzzi, Citrin Cooperman
“The IFA franchise convention is one of the greatest franchise events of the year! To make the most of your time, attend the sessions, be open to speaking with people and share your story. People in the franchise community are looking to give back and help you succeed. It is rare to find an industry where your competitors are open and willing to listen and help you. The better we all become, the better the entire franchise community becomes, and we can all thrive and succeed!” – Michael Iannuzzi
Linda Nguyen, Morrow Hill
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Prior to arrival, do your due diligence and research the sessions you would like to attend and the suppliers/brands you’d like to connect with. Last but not least, HAVE FUN!” –Linda Nguyen
Eric Schechterman, Unleashed Brands
“Have goals to achieve and separate yourself from sounding like everyone else.” – Eric Schechterman
Aaron Harper, Rolling Suds
“Franchise conferences are wonderful for anyone who is interested in getting into franchising and/or strengthening their existing relationships. My recommendation for anyone going to franchise conferences is to introduce yourself to absolutely everyone and try to add as much value as possible to each interaction you have. This is a relationship business and some of my best friends are in franchising. This didn’t come immediately though; it took years of nurturing relationships. But that, in my opinion, is one of the best things about franchising.” – Aaron Harper
