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.
Franchisors Seeking GrowthNon-US Franchisors: Entering the USA
Saturday, April 10
Symposium 7: The Use of Technology in Franchising (separate fee required)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Room 204B
Presented by: Lee Plave, Partner, Plave Koch PLC and Theresa Huszka, CFE, Director of Franchise Sales Development, TSS Photography
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
Selling Franchises Domestically Without Getting Into Trouble
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Room 208B
Presented by: Richard J. Morey, 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, financial performance representations, Internet selling, transfer and renewal issues, dealing with compliance problems and the new requirements under the FTC’s Amended Franchise Rule.
Symposium 8: Strategies for Penetrating the U.S. Market for Overseas Franchisors (separate fee required)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Room 208A
Presented by: Andrew J. Sherman, Senior Partner, Jones Day
This symposium will explore business planning topics, featuring a panel of franchising experts, professionals and executives of overseas franchisors who have successfully developed franchising programs in the Unites States. Our focus will be on pragmatic and truly useful information with an emphasis on war stories and case studies. Click here for more details.
Selling Franchises Internationally Without Getting Into Trouble
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Room 208B
Presented by: Philip Zeidman, Senior Partner, DLA Piper US LLP and Tao Xu, Associate, DLA Piper US LLP
An ever increasing number of countries around the world now have laws regulating franchising, and new statutes appear with very little if any advance notice. As in the United States, some address the sale of franchises, some deal with the franchisor - franchisee relationship. Complying with them can be difficult, and it is frequently hard even to learn what is required and how the requirements will be interpreted. This seminar will tell you what laws, in what countries, impose what obligations on you...and how you can deal with them as effectively, efficiently and economically as possible.
The Highly Successful Franchisor
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Room 208B
Presented by: Barry Heller, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP and David Hood, President, iFranchise Group
Some franchisors succeed, others don’t. Some franchisors are sued, others aren’t. Why? What are the common themes of success and avoidance of litigation that franchisors share? Devotion to the Brand? Always striving to achieve the proper balance between franchisor and franchisees interests, rights and duties and the interests of the System as a whole? This interactive session will help you learn from your peers and others the best practices and habits that you can institute into your daily routine to become a successful franchisor and, hopefully, avoid litigation.
Co-Branding and Multi-unit Branding
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Room 208B
Presented by: Bret Lowell, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP and Jerry Slover, Vice President of Development, NexCen Brands
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.
Wounded Warriors, Disabled Veterans, People with Disabilities: An Untapped Marketing Opportunity and a Chance to Do Well by Doing Good
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Room 204C
Presented by: Mathew J. Valenzano, Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales, EP Global Communications and James T. McGinnis, Executive Vice President Operations and CFO, EP Global Communications, Inc.
With millions of people with disabilities, and thousands of veterans coming home with various disabilities, there is a tremendous opportunity to introduce them to franchising opportunities both as a potential for investment and as a source of a disciplined workforce. Scientific progress in rehabilitation medicine, advances in prosthetic devices and various government sponsored programs and tax incentives make consideration of this treasured source of human potential exciting and potentially very lucrative. Come listen to experts in this arena: people with disabilities who have made the transition to successful entrepreneurs and those who can help you understand this vast untapped resource and explore how you can “do well by doing good” and reward them for all they have done for us.
International Franchisor's War Stories on Coming to the U.S.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Room 208A
Moderated by: Andrew J. Sherman, Senior Partner, Jones Day Panelist: Raymond W. Fanning, Consultant, FranChoice
This panel will include speakers from overseas franchisors who have successfully penetrated the U.S. market. Panelists will share tips, strategies and war stories on the challenges of entering this vast and diverse marketplace and leave plenty of time for interactive Q & A.
Franchisor’s Role in Franchisee Financing
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Room 208B
Moderated by: Bret Lowell, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP Panelists: Nate Greenberg, President and COO, Siegel Capital; Edith Wiseman, Vice President Client Solutions, FRANdata; Kevin Pignone, Vice President of Domestic Sales, The UPS Store
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.
The Disabilities and Special Needs Market: What You Need to Know About the Opportunities for Your Business
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Room 204B
Presented by: James P. McGinnis, Executive Vice President Operations and CFO, EP Global Communications and Mathew J. Valenzano, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, EP Global Communications, Inc.
Did you know there are 54.6 million Americans classified as having some form of disability…one in five or 20% of our population? Did you know that as a group, they have over $200 billion in disposable income? Did you know that quite apart from their disability, they like to go to the movies, eat popcorn and drink soda, buy cars, own homes and businesses and want very much to have a life like yours? If you are not aware of these facts, come and listen to experts tell you about this extremely large market that offers untapped opportunities for your businesses.
Your Franchise Compliance Program: What you need to know
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Room 208B
Presented by: Richard Morey, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP
Creating an in-house compliance and registration program can be difficult and confusing. This seminar will give you an overview of the crucial points in what you need to know about compliance and registration programs to make them efficient and successful. Your questions will be answered in this seminar dealing with a critical issue for franchisors.
Franchisors Seeking Growth
Non-US Franchisors: Entering the USA
