With Over 800 Attendees, the 2024 IFPG Retreat Featured New Formats, Awards and Networking
The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) had plenty to celebrate at its seventh annual Retreat earlier this month. For the first time, the event was nominated for Entrepreneur’s Top Supplier Awards in the events category. In addition, IFPG secured the No. 1 spot in the franchise broker category for the sixth year in a row.
Staying true to its reputation for innovation and growth, this year’s Retreat introduced fresh new formats. Franchise consultants, franchisors, founders, suppliers and franchise executives from across the country gathered to learn, connect and share best practices.
New Formats and Awards
One of the standout additions to this year’s Retreat was the introduction of roundtable discussions. These smaller group sessions gave attendees a chance to dive deep into key franchising topics like AI, marketing, franchise development, leadership and storytelling. The intimate format sparked engaging conversations and created meaningful connections.
The new supplier showcase was another highlight, giving IFPG vendor members the opportunity to present their offerings and meet face to face with franchisors and consultants.
A major moment at the event was the launch of the Franchise Consultant Choice Awards, which recognized exceptional people and teams in franchising. Among the winners was GYMGUYZ founder Josh York, who earned the Passion Award for his dedication to growing his personal training franchise. At the same time, FranFund took home the Team Player Award for its commitment to helping franchisees succeed.
Franchise consultant Stacy Swift (above center) was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her three decades of contributions to franchising. Reflecting on her career, Swift shared, “I’ve helped many, many people make a big change in their life, and it is always so gratifying. Every. Single. Time.”
The 2024 Retreat brought another exciting addition: power pitches (below). Franchisors had eight minutes to explain their brands to over 200 franchise consultants. This fast-paced format made it easy for consultants to quickly grasp the unique value of each concept and engage directly with brand leaders during a Q&A session.
Connecting Franchise Professionals
Speed networking (above), a signature feature of the IFPG Retreat, returned this year, offering consultants the chance to meet a variety of franchisors in a short amount of time. The IFPG team made sure that attendees connected with new people with every session and meal, creating countless opportunities for networking and relationship-building. “An incredible amount of work goes into planning the Retreat,” said IFPG Founder and CEO Don Daszkowski. “From seating arrangements to the overall experience, my team puts their heart and soul into ensuring everything runs smoothly. I’m so grateful for all their hard work and dedication.”
There were even more opportunities to connect and learn at this year’s IFPG Retreat, from lively evening parties to informative panel discussions. One highlight was the return of the Alloy Personal Training team (above), who once again offered a fun and engaging sampling of their personal training methods right on the beach. It gave attendees a chance to start their day with an invigorating workout while experiencing a gorgeous sunrise and a first hand look into Alloy’s unique approach to fitness.
The Importance of Owning It
This year’s Retreat theme, “Own It,” carried a powerful double meaning. It wasn’t just about franchise ownership — it was also about giving your all to whatever you do. The message was clear: When you’re fully invested and passionate about your work, success naturally follows.
IFPG President Red Boswell felt the theme was a perfect fit for the IFPG community, “Our members truly ‘own it.’ They show up with a drive to learn, grow, and support each other, and that’s why this year’s event was one of our best yet. Passion is the key to success,” he said.
Franchising Continues to Grow
With more than 800 attendees this year, the IFPG Retreat has grown significantly since it first debuted in 2017 as a small gathering. “We’ve come a long way from where we started,” Daszkowski said. “Seeing this event flourish and bring so many people together means so much. It’s a testament to our commitment to ethical and responsible franchising, which has always been at the core of what we do.”
This commitment extends beyond the Retreat itself. With over 1,500 franchisors, consultants and vendor members, IFPG remains dedicated to fostering long-term, sustainable success for all its members. This dedication drives positive outcomes for the entire franchise community.
As IFPG continues to grow, so does the franchise sector as a whole. According to the International Franchise Association’s 2024 Economic Outlook, the number of franchise locations in the U.S. is projected to increase by over 15,000 units this year, marking a 1.9% growth.
The Retreat is one of the many ways IFPG fosters franchising’s growth. “At IFPG, we are all life changers,” said Boswell. “We help aspiring business owners succeed and change lives for the better. The connections and ideas shared at the Retreat help us continue making a positive impact throughout franchising all year long.”
