DailyFranchiseNews.com

West Coast Franchise Expo Still Happening!

Everyone hung around thinking “will people show up?” Yes, they did and although it wasn’t the same heavy crowd as in past years—Friday and Saturday afternoons saw good prospects at the event and real people looking for a franchise. It was hard to compete with Adultcon (porn stars!) in the Hall downstairs and Sunday saw a marathon in the city—but all in all things went well and weather was awesome. What really counts was dinner with the IFA girls who put on another development conference and worked hard to make it fresh this year prior to the show. Of course dinner at Mr. Chow with this blogger in Beverly Hills the night before did NOT hurt!!! See us having a blast in photo.

Arby’s was one of the exhibitors at the event and the boys—Dave and Tim—were working the booth hard. Of course with that brand name and those famous “hats” on a headband—how could they miss?

Photos from top left: The girls of the IFA with this blogger and the lovely Samantha Amato of Sanderson & Associates; Dave Leonardo, director of franchise development for Arby's.

The WCFE Starts Tomorrow…Will You Be There?

Tomorrow is a big day for two reasons: 1. our fair city of Chicago could be announced as the host city for the 2016 Olympics and 2. the 6th Annual West Coast Franchise Expo kicks off at the Los Angeles Convention Center! If you’re in the area, stop in to view nearly 250 exhibitors and 30-plus seminars and symposia. And here’s an added bonus: DailyFranchiseNews.com can get you registered for free. Hope to see you all there!

Franchise Update = Fabulous As Always!

Were you in Chicago for Franchise Update's 11th Annual Franchise Leadership & Development Conference this week? If not, you missed out on a great time! In addition to the many informative seminars and fantastic fetes, a number of franchisors were recognized for their achievements including Floor Coverings International, Panchero's Mexican Grill and Spring-Green Lawn Care. Congratulations are due all around!

The WCFE is Almost Here!

What are your plans for October 2nd through 4th? If you’re a member of the franchise community or looking to test the waters, head to the 6th Annual West Coast Franchise Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center! This is the largest franchise event on the West Coast and brings together hundreds of the leading franchise companies along with thousands of entrepreneurs from California plus a dozen western states. The WCFE is your chance to meet face-to-face with representatives from the most exciting franchises – from names you know to the new concepts you’ll love – at every investment level, full-time or part time. Sponsored by the International Franchise Association, the expo floor features nearly 250 exhibitors and 30-plus information-packed seminars and symposia. The best part? Most of the sessions are free. Register compliments of DailyFranchiseNews.com here!

IFA to the Rescue!

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the IFA swooping in to lend its members a much-needed hand!

SmartBrief.com reported the IFA is launching a multicity series of Leadership Roundtable sessions to address to challenges posed by today's unstable economy. IFA leaders and senior staff members kicked off the intensive sessions in Philadelphia last week and have extended invitations to key franchise officials in Denver on Monday; Orange County, Calif., on Tuesday; Chicago on May 5th; and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla., on June 4th, with dates in more cities to follow.

Detailed reports of ideas and information gathered will appear in IFA online and print publications shortly but in the meantime, check out the IFA’s Five-Point Economic Recovery Plan with Congress.

Smaller Could Be Better

While there weren't as many exhibitors at the IFE in Washington, D.C. this past weekend, there seemed to be some nice traffic going through the exhibit hall. And, like all else during these times, it'll be survival of the fittest in franchising, too. Good concepts and leadership will prevail. People WERE looking to buy.

Some fun events too like the Lucky Strike exhibitor’s party sponsored by MFV Expo and USA Today among others…always a gas and who can resist the fried macaroni and cheese balls!! Then USA Today party in Georgetown where we were in stitches over the antics of John Kersh from Anytime Fitness.

Some of the more colorful exhibitors were MassageLuxe and The Tan Company from St. Louis who had a great booth and gorgeous shirts. And Bijoux Terner! This blogger went through LaGuardia last May and stopped at the Bijoux Terner boutique to buy 12 scarves for $10 each. All fabulous colors and quality and I was steaming because I had paid $118 for several of the same from Nordstrom’s a few months before. Imagine how amazed I was to see the same boutique exhibiting at the IFE! Who knew they were franchising? And CEO Gabriel Bottazi was thrilled to hear that I was the one who “cleaned them out” at LaGuardia. He kindly gave Megan Downey and Jenny Kinkopf, both of Sanderson & Associates, lovely watches. Handbags, scarves, jewelry—great concept for airports where you have lots of time to browse and are always forgetting some accessory. 

Top left photo: Todd Beckman, president and CEO of The Tan Company and MassageLuxe.

Bottom right photo: Megan Downey (left), Jenny Kinkopf (center) and Bijoux Terner CEO Gabriel Bottazi (right).

IFE Kicks Off Today!

In the Washington, D.C. area this weekend? If so, head on over to the International Franchise Expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center! The show is in its 18th year and this blogger can tell you that it just keeps getting better! Can't make it? Fear not: We'll be back next week with a full recap..check in with us then!

Just a Friendly Reminder: The IFE is Next Week!

The 18th Annual International Franchise Expo is the franchise industry's premier annual event showcasing hundreds of the top franchise concepts, attracting investors from throughout the United States and over 80 countries. For domestic or international opportunities, this is your one-stop franchise event. Sponsored by the International Franchise Association and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the IFE offers a comprehensive expo floor and conference program. This year's IFE is scheduled for March 20th through 22nd at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Register free here compliments of DailyFranchiseNews.com.

Bill Clinton Headlines IFA Convention

A hotel near the water in San Diego is ideal and that’s what we got with the 49th Annual IFA Convention held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt from February 14th through 17th. Tons of great learning opportunities with panels covering everything from the tough economy to using Facebook! And the best feature? Bill Clinton giving a terrific half-hour rundown about what really happened to the economy; the brilliant former Prez made it like an economics class at University of Chicago--but at the end we understood a little more…uh, not making us feel better! Gripes were heard about the expense of the rooms but you couldn’t object to the views overseeing aircraft carriers and battleships. Also, the usual crop of parties made this another super networking event; no one does it like the IFA when it comes to networking. This blogger hosted an event at Morton’s along with Baum Realty and F.C. Dadson...fun and meat were had by all!! 

Photo: Cousins Subs president and COO Christine Specht (left) and Nikki Sells, all-around franchise development queen now doing so for Tasti D-Lite.

FCI Convention a HIT!

Fun was had by all at the Floor Coverings International Annual Convention that took place in Austin, TX from January 26th through 31st.  Jenny Kinkopf and Alexis Mattera, Sanderson & Associates executives and attendees of this year’s event, had a great time catching up with franchisees and devoting time to leadership development sessions.  The Sanderson girls also hosted a round table discussing the public relations process and new initiatives in place for 2009.  It wasn’t all work and no play, though:  See for yourself how much fun this bunch is when they are out on the town!  In the top photo, Franchisees of the Year Dan and Carla Jensen (Lewiston, ID) take a break from their hard work with FCI director of consumer marketing Ryan Aschauer, design associate Vicky Butler (Lewiston, ID), FCI president Tom Wood and sales manager Brandon Baxter (Flagstaff, AZ).  In the bottom photo, New Franchisee of the Year Dave Hogan and the Sanderson girls, Jenny Kinkopf (left) and Alexis Mattera (right), stood front row at the evening’s entertainment!