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2011 Free Seminars

These FREE educational seminars will help you make the right decisions during your franchise research.




For easy guidance, each description is related to a specific track. The legend below will help you understand the meaning of the symbols listed with each seminar description.
Buying a Franchise Franchising Your Business
Acquiring a Master Franchising

Saturday, April 2

Symposium 1: The A to Zs of Buying A Franchise (separate fee required)
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 202B
Presented by: John P. Hayes, PhD, Gulf University for Science & Technology

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 details.
Sponsored by

Symposium 7: The Use of Technology in Franchising (separate fee required)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 204A
Presented by: Lee Plave, Partner, Plave Koch PLC and Theresa Huszka, CFE, Principal, Theresa Huszka Consulting

This Symposium will explore the way in which prospective and currently franchising companies can harness developments in electronic, telecommunications and internet technologies to enhance their business and franchise relationships. Click here for more details.
Sponsored by         Accredited

Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities, Women and Veterans Part 1
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 204C
Moderated by: Miriam Brewer, Director, Education and Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
Panelists: Howard James, Franchisee, FASTSIGNS of Washington DC; Tim Courtney, Director of Network Development, CruiseOne

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. Click here for more details.
Sponsored by               

Franchising vs. Alternative Growth Strategies
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 209B
Presented by: Mark Siebert, CEO, iFranchise Group

Are you ready to grow but don’t know which strategy is best for you? Franchising is not right for everyone. This seminar will help you understand various growth alternatives and whether franchising should be a part of your long term plan. Alternatives examined will include company-owned growth, business opportunities and licensing, joint ventures, dealers and distributorships, and franchising.
Sponsored by

The Profitability of Franchising
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 209B
Presented by: Lynne D. Shelton, Partner, Shelton & Power, LLC

Prospective Franchisors will learn the economics of franchising their business. Attendees will evaluate the potential profit realized from creating a steady growth franchise model. Prospective Franchisors will participate in a ten year case study analyzing potential profit and expenditures for a franchise system.
Sponsored by

Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities, Women and Veterans Part 2
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 204C
Moderated by: Miriam Brewer, Director, Education and Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
Panelist: Nate Greenberg, President and COO, Siegel Financial Group; Lonnie Helgerson, President, Veteran Franchise Centers

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. Click here for more details.
Sponsored by               

Management and Support Requirements for New Franchisors
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 204B
Presented by: Harold Kestenbaum, Counsel, and Mark Siebert, CEO, iFranchise Group

Once you have decided to franchise your business, do you have the infrastructure in place to carry this out? How do you manage the franchise strategy? How fast will you grow? What does it take to support the system? This and a lot of other questions will be answered during this lively session.
Sponsored by HAROLD KESTENBAUM

Demystifying the Franchise Process: Avoiding the 7 Deadly Mistakes that Most New Business Owners Make
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 209C
Presented by: Carl L. Gould, President, 7 Stage Turnaround Process

Carl, author of the ‘The 7 Stages of Small Business Success,’ will show you how to avoid the 7 biggest problems, pitfalls and areas of PAIN that most new business owners make when choosing a franchise. Carl will help you understand the franchising process in a fun and interactive session. Learn how to find the best business and negotiate your best deal!
Sponsored by

Symposium 4: Master Franchising, Domestically and Internationally (separate fee required)
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 204B
Presented by: Philip Zeidman, Senior Partner, DLA Piper LLP US ; Joseph Sheyka, Partner, DLA Piper US and William Edwards, CFE, President, Edwards Global Services, Inc.

When does master franchising make sense? For the franchisor? For the franchisee? What are the pros and cons for each? How does it operate? What are the rights and responsibilities of each party? How do you analyze the economics? How does the franchisor find and select a master franchise partner, and how can a candidate satisfy himself as to the franchisor? What are the principal negotiating points? What are the principal pitfalls, and how can they be avoided? Finally, how are all of these issues handled differently in the international context? This symposium will address these challenging issues and draw upon the diverse experience of our panelists, all veterans of franchising. Click here for more details.
Sponsored by         Accredited

Symposium 2: Franchising Your Business Part 1 (separate fee required)
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 209B
Presented by: Michael H. Seid, Managing Director, Michael H. Seid & Associates and Kay Marie Ainsley, Managing Director, Michael H. Seid & Associates
Panelist: Marisa Faunce, Partner, Plave Koch

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         Accredited

SBA Resources
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 204C
Presented by: Robert Carpenter, Lender Relations Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

Does finding financing for your business pose a problem? Come discover the different financing options available to small business owners and potential small business owners. Also learn how the SBA can help you fulfill your business goals. Find out about the numerous business developments, financial management and contract assistance programs designed to assist small business owners, managers and entrepreneurs.

Special Event: How to Become a Multi-unit Franchise Owner (separate fee required)
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 208B
Moderated by: Darrell Johnson, President, FRANdata
Panelists: Nate Greenberg, President and COO, Siegel Financial Group; Bob Morena, Director of Franchise Sales, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches; Jimmer Bolden, Director, Franchise Development, Robeks Premium Fruit Smoothies

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        

Proactive Lease Management: Beyond Basic Deal Terms
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 209C
Presented by: Kimberly Finnegan, Managing Partner, PropertyWorks

Despite the huge impact on the bottom line, franchisees rarely give much attention to their leases once the basic terms are negotiated. Learn how to save thousands and get the very most from your location by paying attention to basic CAM language and audit rights, understanding and protecting your rights as a tenant, and negotiating the best possible renewal terms.
Sponsored by

How to Finance Your Franchise
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 204C
Presented by: Doug Smith, Business Development Manager, Guidant Financial Group

Understanding how to finance a franchise is imperative to your success as a business owner. In this event, the speaker discusses: how to determine what size of business you can afford; the advantages and disadvantages of using SBA loans, unsecured credit, investing retirement funds, credit cards and peer-to-peer loans; how to pre-qualify for financing and look attractive to lenders; and what resources are available to prospective franchisees. This is a must-see event for any industry professional or prospective franchisee.
Sponsored by

How to Buy a HOT Franchise and Not Get BURNED!
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 209C
Presented by: John P. Hayes, PhD,

There are “critical issues” to consider before you buy a franchise. Do you really understand what it means to be a franchisee? This seminar will help you select a company that fits your financial criteria by explaining how to look closely at the financial requirements and know what’s expected of you. It will assist you in looking past the glitz and glitter to find out what the franchise is really about. You will take away priceless information regarding the Franchise Disclosure Document, as well as who you must talk to and why, and who you can ignore!
Sponsored by