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2010 Free Seminars

These FREE educational seminars will help you make the right decisions during your franchise research. Free seminars are approximately 1 hour.
For easy guidance, each description is related to a specific category. The legend below will help you understand the meaning of the symbols listed with each seminar description.
Buying a Franchise Currently Franchising
Franchising Your Business Three Party Franchising
Franquiciando para el Mercado Hispanoamericano (Franchising for the Hispanic Market)

Symposium 1: The A to Z's of Buying a Franchise (separate fee required)
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Presented by: John P. Hayes, PhD,

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.
Symposium 5: Seizing International Opportunities in Today's Environment: Five Ways to Maximize Your Return on Investment Through International Franchising (separate fee required)
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Gaylen Knack, Principal, Gray Plant Mooty and Carl Zwisler, Partner, Gray Plant Mooty
Panelists: Leonard N. Swartz, Senior Advisor, The iFranchiseGroup and Peter Holt, Chief Operating Officer, Tasti D-Lite

 International development remains an intriguing and potentially profitable strategy for many franchisors. In exploring international expansion, how can franchisors maximize their return on investment (ROI)? What steps should franchisors take now in developing or redefining their international development strategy to avoid common costly mistakes? This session will explore 5 common issues which can impact franchisor’s ROI and identify best practices in addressing those issues to maximize ROI. Issues addressed will include optimal structure for expansion, planning and budgeting, brand adaptation, due diligence, and other topics.
Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities and Women (Part 1)
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Moderated by: Miriam Brewer, Director of Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
Panelists: Sal Icaza, Director, Emerging Markets and Caribbean Franchise Development, Choice Hotels; Tim Courtney, Director of Network Development, CruiseOne; Nikki Gahr Sells, CFE, Vice President Franchise Development, Tasti D-Lite; Larry Carnell, Vice President Business Development, BeneTrends; Althea Harris, Marketing Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration Miami District Office

 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.
Specialty Seminar: Franchising 101 for Veterans
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Moderated by: Mark Liston, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, SGI, Clockwork Home Services, Inc.
Panelists: Ray Toombs, Franchisee, Maid Brigade and Clint Ferrell, Franchisee, Meineke Car Care Centers

 The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran), provides low-cost entry to franchising for America’s Veterans. This program was founded by Don Dwyer, Sr. of the Dwyer Group and is supported by the International Franchise Association (IFA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Center for Veterans Enterprise, U.S. Dept. Veteran Affairs. This FREE seminar will include specific information about the basics of franchising, finance opportunities available through the Small Business Administration’s loan program and will include discussions from veteran franchisees.
Sponsored by
Como Franquiciar Su Negocio
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Presented by: Lia Brakel, Senior Consultant, iFranchise Group

Una presentación dirigida a dueños de negocios interesados en expandir sus conceptos o empresas a través del franchising. Incluye información sobre las estadísticas y la historia del franchising en los Estados Unidos y como definir una franquicia. También presenta las ventajas y desventajas del franchising, como saber si el franchising es la opción correcta para un negocio, como ser un franquiciante exitoso, y algunas consideraciones a tener en cuenta cuando se franquicia un negocio.
Working with a Franchise Coach
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Terry Powell, CFE, CEO, The Entrepreneur's Source and Susan Mell, Multi-Unit Owner, The Entrepreneur's Source

 Investing in a franchise can be overwhelming! How do you explore thousands of options and be comfortable with the one you have chosen? A Franchise Coach provides the support and guidance of navigating this overwhelming process. Learn how to clarify your goals, needs, and expectations by utilizing a safe and proven environment that provides a unique step by step system of narrowing the landscape of options. By attending this seminar, you will have the opportunity to receive a FREE behavioral assessment to help you better understand your Ideal Work Environment, Your Value to an Organization, and Your Preferences. Will a franchise coach help you develop your criteria and discover options that you may not discover on your own? Will spending 60 minutes of your time be worth the risk to learn something new that will help you in whatever you decide to do? Then this seminar is for you!
Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities and Women (Part 2)
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Moderated by: Miriam Brewer, Director of Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation

 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.
Symposium 2: How to Franchise Your Business (separate fee required)
1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Moderated by: Mark Siebert, CEO, iFranchise Group, Inc.
Panelists: Dave Hood, President, iFranchise Group, and David Beyer, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP

 This Symposium is ideal for business owners interested in franchising or those simply looking to determine if franchising is a legitimate growth option. It will help business owners understand whether they have a business that is franchisable and how franchising stacks up against alternate growth strategies (such as licensing, dealer models, and joint ventures). Click here for more details.
SBA Resources
1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
Presented by: Althea Harris, Marketing Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA can help you fulfill your business goals. In this session you will learn about SBA programs to help your franchise business grow and succeed. Specific programs have been developed for the franchising industry and much of this assistance is FREE! Useful handout materials will be provided.
Special Event: How to Become a Multi-unit Franchise Owner (separate fee required)
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Moderated by: Darrell Johnson, President, FRANdata
Panelists: Marc Plaisted, Director of Operations, BrandChise; Ron Feldman, CEO, Siegel Capital LLC; Daryl Dollinger, President, Raving Brands; Lorne Fisher, Managing Partner, Fish Consulting

 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.
Franchising in Today's Economy
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Presented by: Brian Schnell, Partner, Faegre & Benson , Kevin Hein, Partner, Faegre and Benson and Kerry Bundy, Special Counsel, Faegre and Benson

 All U.S businesses are facing challenging times in today’s economic environment. Franchised businesses are part of this struggle. Commodities and other costs of doing business continue to skyrocket. Unit level sales are flat at best and franchise development for many franchisors is nonexistent. More than ever before, franchisors and franchisees must work together to address these issues in ways that will make a difference now and into the future. This session is designed to promote an effective and robust dialogue with an exchange of ideas and viewpoints among franchisors and franchisees. At the conclusion of this session we will have identified action items that will have an impact for your franchise system.
Cómo Adquirir y Estructurar su Franquicia (Sesión repetida)
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Presented by: Julian F. Montero, Esq., Partner, RM Attorneys at Law, PA

Durante esta conferencia, el Dr. Julian Montero, le explicará detalladamente las distintas formas legales y operacionales a utilizar, una vez que Ud. haya elegido una franquisia. Le ayudará a decidir qué tipo de entidad legal es la más apropiada para operar su franquisia. Explicará las diferencias entre las Corporaciones tipo “C” y Corporaciones tipo “S” y la Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada , tipo LLC. Discutiremos los diferentes conceptos legales de cómo proteger su negocio, también cómo establecer acuerdos entre socios para proteger la entidad legal de su negocio, así como los diferentes tipos de acuerdos operacionales para establecer la funcionabilidad de su empresa. También se discutirán los componentes más importantes del Documento de Ofrecimiento de Operación de una Franquisia.
Pros & Cons of Master Franchising
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Presented by: Tra Williams, President, Planet Smoothie and Jason Mann, Master Franchisee, Planet Smoothie

 Speakers will address when a franchise should offer master franchising, the pros/cons of the arrangement, and how to grow a current one unit/multi-unit franchisee into a master franchisee. In addition, attendees will learn what it takes to be a successful master franchisee, what kind of support is needed from corporate, what kind of support the franchisee needs from his staff and what kind of role the master franchisees play in the future development/direction of the brand.
How to Buy a HOT Franchise and Not Get BURNED!
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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!
Basic Concepts to Establish a Business in the USA (repeat)
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Presented by: Roberto Macho, Managing Partner, UHY Macho y Asociados

This seminar will address some basic US tax concepts of opening a US business and doing business in the US. Specifically, it will be focused on international companies and foreign persons who are looking at starting a new business in the US.
Leyes de Inmigración y de Inversión desde el punto de vista migratorio en los Estados Unidos de America (Sesión repetida)
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Presented by: Leonard A. Roth, Esq., Principal Partner, RM Attorneys at Law, PA

Durante esta conferencia, el Dr. Roth, abogado experto en inmigración explicará las leyes de inmigración y las distintas estrategias de inversión en una franquicia desde el punto de vista migratorio en los Estados Unidos. Se discutirán las distintas opciones para personas de negocios con deseos de establecerse en los Estados Unidos y las visas más apropiadas, tales como L-1, visa E-2 y las visas basadas en trabajo, visa H-1B, tanto como el permiso inmigratorio basado en parentesco familiar.
10 Commandments of Franchise Sales
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Presented by: Max Schott, II, Principal, Gray Plant Mooty and Gaylen Knack, Principal, Gray Plant Mooty

 The legal issues related to selling/awarding franchises should not be a mystery. A franchisor should be able to meet its sales goals with complete confidence that it has done so in full compliance with the law, including the amended FTC Franchise Rule. This session will help every franchisor understand the legal aspects of franchise sales with a focus on 10 simple and common sense rules to implement as part of your sales compliance program. This session will also provide helpful hints as to how franchisors should have adjusted their compliance programs to meet the requirements of the amended FTC Franchise Rule.
The Secrets to Success for Three Party Franchising?
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Presented by: Jeffrey A. Brimer, Special Counsel, Faegre & Benson and Kevin Hein, Partner, Faegre & Benson

 Many franchisors offer some form of master franchise or area/regional director franchise where the master/area franchisee performs many of the typical franchise support functions. These functions may include franchise sales, training and operational support. Some of the most successful franchisors in the world use this three party approach. Other franchisors encounter significant problems in making this strategy succeed. What distinguishes success from failure. This session will identify how to assess whether three party franchising is right for you from the franchisor and area franchisee perspectives.
Tips for Franchisees in Pursuit of the American Dream
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Presented by: Robert Zarco, Founding Partner, Zarco Eihnorn Salkowski & Brito, P.A.

This is a very popular presentation because it discusses items that would benefit all potential franchisees, no matter what specific industry they are looking into. Topics include: what to look for before purchasing, how to prepare yourself before entering into such a venture, what kind of fit would be good for the individual, what you need to know before you invest, how to study the market place, the need to get items in writing, getting more for your advertising dollar, what can occur if you decide later on to sell your franchise, and more.
Cómo tener éxito al establecer su negocio en el mercado norteamericano (Sesión repetida)
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Presented by: Jesus Antonio Aveledo, Principal Partner, Abogados Aveledo Urdaneta & Asociados

El Dr. Aveledo explicará detalladamente cuáles han sido los errores más comunes cometidos por empresas y empresarios Latinoamericanos en el mercado estadounidense y le enseñará cómo evitarlos al momento de establecer su propio negocio.