2012 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 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 Inversionista Hispanoamericano (Franchising for the Hispanic Investor)

Saturday, January 21

Symposium 1: The A to Z's of Buying a Franchise (separate fee required)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Room C219
Presented by: Jason W. Power, Esq., Parnter, Shelton & Power and Lynne Shelton, Partner, Shelton & Power, LLC

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

Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities, Women and Veterans Part 1
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Room C224
Moderated by: Miriam Brewer, Director of Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
Panelists: Brian Rubin, Manager Franchise Operations, NYS Collection Eyewear; Martha Martinez, Franchise Sales, Granite Transformations

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        

10 Commandments of Franchise Sales
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Room C223
Presented by: Carl Zwisler, 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.
Sponsored by

Considerations for Franchisors Looking to Expand into the U.S.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room C220
Presented by: Adam Siegelheim, Attorney, Stark & Stark

Before entering the US, franchisors must analyze the prospective market, consider supply chain options and have the ability to provide operational support. Learn about these plus other important factors when investigating the opportunities available to international franchisors in the United States.
Sponsored by

Management and Support Requirements for New Franchisors
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room C221
Presented by: Harold Kestenbaum, Counsel, Gordon & Rees LLP 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

The Secrets to Success for Master Franchising
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room C222
Presented by: Jeffrey Brimer, Special Counsel, Faegre Baker Daniels and Danell Olson Caron, Associate, Faegre Baker Daniels

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.
Sponsored by

Franchise Opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Booth 750
Presented by: Jose Torres, Partner, BuscaTuFranquicia.com

Learn which franchises offer the best business opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos in today’s market. What criteria make them the right fit for Hispanics? What are the hottest categories for aspiring and existing Hispanic entrepreneurs?
Sponsored by

Is It Your Leads or Your Sales Process?
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Room C222
Presented by: Kimberly Ellis, Senior Consultant, MSA Worldwide

Recruiting franchisees in today’s economy is much harder and more costly than ever before. What worked a few years ago has stopped working or has become cost prohibitive. Are there better ways to attract qualified candidates? Does your sales process need a tune-up or maybe more? It could be a combination of both. This seminar will provide you with the tools to determine the sources for the right types of candidates and more important how to close those candidates effectively and consistently.
Sponsored by

Symposium 2: How to Franchise Your Business (separate fee required)
12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Room C221
Presented by: Mark Siebert, CEO, iFranchise Group, Inc.
Panelists: Dave Hood, President, iFranchise Group and Robert Stidham, President, Franchise Dynamics

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.
Sponsored by         Accredited

The Secret to be Successful in this Mobile Age
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room C219
Presented by: Alex Kutsishin, Franchise Marketing, FiddleFly

The mobile age is all about connectivity and engagement, if you miss any of these two you will lose. Go where your customers are and do it on a platform that your customers don't leave home without. Fact: It takes an average of 26 hours for you to report a missing wallet. It takes an average of only 68 minutes for you to report a missing phone. Come hear how you can best use mobile age technology.
Sponsored by

Specialty Seminar: Opportunities in Franchising for Minorities, Women and Veterans Part 2
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Room C224
Moderated by: Miriam Brewer, Director of Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
Panelists: Jose Torres, Managing Partner, FranNet of Miami and Puerto Rico; Dallas Kerley, Chief Development Officer, Benetrends

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        

Cómo Adquirir y Estructurar su Franquicia
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Booth 750
Presented by: Fernando M. Socol, Esq., Law Office of Fernando M. Socol, P.A.

Durante esta conferencia, el Dr. Socol, 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.
Patrocinado por          

The Value of Mail and New Marketing Strategies for Franchises
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Room C219
Presented by: David Mastervich, Manager for Catalogs, and Saturation Mail, U.S. Postal Service

Direct Mail continues to be one of the most effective ways to reach customers. It is important to understand why direct mail is a critical component of every marketing and advertising effort for large and small businesses. Did you know that Direct Mail has influenced more consumers to make a purchase than any other medium? Or that mail drives a higher return on investment (ROI) than almost any other medium? There are new direct marketing options available that can attract more customers and increase revenues for virtually all types of retail businesses. Join David to understand how the "Value of Mail" will help stretch your marketing dollars and improve your bottom line.
Sponsored by   

Franchising and Latin America: A Two Way Street
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room C223
Presented by: Philip Zeidman, Senior Partner, DLA Piper US LLP ; Joseph Sheyka, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP and Marc Mushkin, Senior Vice President, International Development, Pollo Tropical

Are you interested in bringing your North American concept south to Latin America? Are you interested in bringing your Latin American concept to North America? No matter in which direction you are looking to expand, this session will look at the practical aspects of doing business across borders. The topics will address the most common business and legal issues affecting international franchising.
Sponsored by

SBA Resources
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
Room C224
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.
Presented by U.S. Small Business Administration

Expanding Your Brand Domestically: Lessons Learned from the Cowboys, Lakers and other Champions
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room C220
Presented by: Adam Siegelheim, Attorney, Stark & Stark and Steve Beagelman, Franchise Advisor, SMB Franchise Advisors

Championship teams and successful franchisors share a common trait - a winning culture. Without a winning culture, a franchisor cannot expect to successfully grow and develop its brand. In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys shared the league's worst record at 1-15. Three years later, the Dallas Cowboys went on a run, winning three of four Super Bowls. This session will examine how the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers and other teams created a winning culture and developed into champions. We will also explore how these lessons can be applied by franchisors to create their own winning culture to expand and sustain the growth of their brand.
Sponsored by

EXHIBITOR PRESENTATION
What OneClick Cleaners™ 'the most convenient dry cleaners' Can Do For You!
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room C226
Presented by: Albert Cohen, Vice President & Franchise Director, OneClick Cleaners™

Come learn how through technology and marketing OneClick Cleaners™ has revolutionized the Dry Cleaning industry and how we can help you quickly and easily build a successful business. OneClick Cleaners™ is a cutting edge online dry cleaning pickup and delivery franchise. Our fully functional, full service website www.oneclickcleaners.com delivers customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without the overhead and expense of a store or machinery. Local established plants handle all the actual cleaning allowing you time to build your customer base & increasing your business. OneClick Cleaners™ has introduced several important and convenience related features within its operating system and web site that attract new customers and enhance the overall customer experience. This seminar will discuss the industry today, market competition & challenges, and how a OneClick Cleaners™ franchise can help you whether you are a newcomer interested in entering into the industry or an existing dry cleaner or laundry center looking to maximize and grow your customer base.
Sponsored by   

Oportunidades en Franquicias para Hispanos y Latinos
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Booth 750
Presented by: Jose Torres, Partner, BuscaTuFranquicia.com

Conozca cuales son las mejores franquicias y oportunidades de negocios para Hispanos y Latinos en estos momentos y qué criterios hacen que sean adecuadas para hispanos. Descubra cuales son las categorías con mayor atractivo para actuales y futuros emprendedores Hispanos.
Patrocinado por

Special Event: How to Become a Multi-unit Franchise Owner (separate fee required)
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Room C222
Moderated by: Darrell Johnson, President, FRANdata
Panelists: Joe Uhl, Chief Operating Officer, Beef O'Brady's Family Sports Pubs; Hair Parra, Vice President U.S. and International Development, Wing Zone Franchise Corporation; Tony Valles, Vice President Franchise Development, McAlister's Deli

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        

How to Finance Your Franchise
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room C224
Presented by: Doug Smith, Business Development Manager, Guidant Financial Group

Knowing the ABCs of financing a franchise is vital to your success as a business owner. In this event, Doug Smith, a 30-year business consulting veteran with a passion for providing education, will share his expert insights into the following: how to determine what size of business you can afford; the many different types of funding solutions available such as investing with retirement funds, SBA loans, unsecured credit, equipment leasing and peer-to-peer loans; how to pre-qualify for financing; and what resources are available to prospective franchisees. This is a must-see event for any industry professional or aspiring franchisee!
Sponsored by

Franchise Lead Conversion: A Smooth Transition from Online to In-person
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room C219
Presented by: Paul Segreto, President and CEO, franchisEssentials

Franchise marketing for today and tomorrow must be technologically advanced to attract a more sophisticated, educated (and cautious) franchise candidate than the franchise industry has ever seen before. An evolving trend highlights the increasing number of transitioning, highly-skilled and educated business professionals and corporate executives exploring franchising as a career alternative while already successful street-smart entrepreneurs investigate franchising, perhaps for the first time, as part of their diversification and expansion strategies. It's the transition from the virtual world of social media and digital marketing to: email, phone calls and in-person visits that need to be seamless. Franchise candidates should not perceive any variation in messaging when transitioning to one-on-one interaction within the franchise sales process. Key takeaway: people buy from people, and technology does not sell franchises.
Sponsored by

Leyes de Inmigración y de Inversión desde el punto de vista migratorio en los Estados Unidos de America
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Booth 750
Presented by: Fernando M. Socol, Esq., Law Office of Fernando M. Socol, P.A.

Durante esta conferencia, el Dr. Socol, 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.
Patrocinado por          

Conceptos Basicos para Establecer y Operar un Negocios en los Estados Unidos
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Booth 750
Presented by: Roberto Macho, Managing Partner, UHY Macho y Asociados

Roberto Macho explicara los conceptos mas importantes desde el punto de vista fiscal y contable para que usted pueda establecer su negocio y franquicia en los estados unidos. Durante la su conferencia Roberto Macho les indicara los impuestos que debe tomar en cuenta para establecer su franquicia.
Sponsored by          

Top 10 Rules for Franchisors to Reduce Litigation Risks: Control Your Franchise System's Destiny
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Room C220
Presented by: Kevin Hein, Partner, Faegre Baker Daniels and Jeffrey A. Brimer, Special Counsel, Faegre Baker Daniels

No franchisor can reasonably hope to enjoy complete, long-term freedom from all litigation. But for franchisors who do business consistent with a few critical (and largely common-sense) rules, freedom from excessive lawsuits – and from truly damaging litigation results – is not out of reach. This session drills down to distill the best litigation-related advice for franchisors into ten simple rules.
Sponsored by

Cómo tener éxito al establecer su negocio en el mercado Norteamericano
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Booth 750
Presented by: Jesus Antonio Aveledo, Principal Partner, Negocios en USA, LLC. and Author, Doing Business with USA and Your Passport to United States

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.
Patrocinado por          

Selling Franchises Domestically Without Getting Into Trouble
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room C223
Presented by: Alan Greenfield, Associate, DLA Piper US LLP

Federal and State franchise laws are complicated. Failing to comply with them can carry heavy penalties. Learn how to comply with these laws in the selling process, and how to develop systems and procedures to ease your compliance burdens. The program will cover topics such as sales staff training, financial performance representations, Internet selling, dealing with compliance problems and the new requirements under the FTC’s Amended Franchise Rule.
Sponsored by

The Basics of Buying a Franchise from a Legal Perspective
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Room C224
Presented by: Julian Montero, Partner, Montero Wolkov LLP

Buying a franchise first requires a solid understanding of the legal documents that a Franchisor will present to you. During this program we will review the “Franchise Disclosure Document” (the “FDD”) and the “Franchise Agreement.” The goal of the program is to help you understand the key elements of these documents so you can properly understand and negotiate your rights and obligations.
Sponsored by