2010 Specialty Seminars

These FREE educational seminars will help you make the right decisions during your franchise research. Free seminars are approximately 1 hour.

Saturday, January 16, 2010
 
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.

Saturday, January 16, 2010
  
OPPORTUNITIES IN FRANCHISING FOR
MINORITIES & WOMEN
11:00AM - 12:30PM (Part 1)
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
1:00PM - 2:30PM (Part 2)
Moderated by: Miriam Brewer, Director of Diversity, IFA Educational Foundation
In an increasingly competitive marketplace for franchise candidates, savvy franchise systems are aggressively seeking qualified entrepreneurs from the minority and women’s communities to fill the open gaps. This seminar will help you understand:

  • Pitfalls to avoid
  • Financing options
  • How to overcome stereotypes
  • Mastering the franchisor/franchisee relationship
  • Specific ethnic markets
  • Non-traditional franchising opportunities
  • Legal considerations:
    • who owns what?
    • who is responsible for what?
Learn what questions to ask yourself first: Am I really cut out for this? How long do I plan to do this? How long can I live without an income? Gain insight into where the opportunities lie.