Conference—Symposium 5

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN UNCERTAIN TIMES: WHERE DOES IT FIT IN YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN?
While current economic woes in the U.S. present many challenges for franchisors and their franchisees, robust markets in countries such as China, India, Brazil, and the Middle East present enticing opportunities for growth. Should franchisors reprioritize their strategic goals to pursue or expand international development? How do you assess the opportunities to expand your system internationally? Is now the appropriate time to launch an international program? What challenges do you face in assessing the risk and reward of international expansion? Our panel will provide insight on these related questions in helping you assess whether your strategic plan should include international development. We will examine a five-step plan to prepare you for international expansion and highlight challenges in today’s changing world environment to maximize your opportunities while minimizing risks in developing or expanding an international program.

All course materials are in English only. All symposium attendees receive free admission to the exhibits on all three days.

Dates
Saturday, January 10, 2009, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Rates
Advance: $199 includes exhibit hall admission and seminars
On-Site: $230 includes exhibit hall admission and seminars

Individuals enrolled in the Certified Franchise Executives program will earn 100 education credits towards completion or recertification of the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation by attending International Development Strategies in Uncertain Times: Where Does It Fit in Your Strategic Plan?. For more information about the Certified Franchise Executives program, please call or email Rose DuPont (202-662-0771 -- rdupont@franchise.org) or visit www.franchise.org/certification.aspx.

Who Should Attend
Franchisor executives and sales personnel pursuing or exploring international franchise development or otherwise considering new strategies to expand system growth.

This Symposium Will Look At
Five-Step Plan to Successful International Development
  1. Examining Current Strategies for Growth
    • What is your current game plan to grow your franchise system?
    • What opportunities and challenges does your company face?
    • Where does international development fall on your priority list?
    • What roadblocks do you perceive in developing or expanding an international growth strategy?
  2. Preparing an International Growth Strategy – Internal Viewpoint
    • Examining the health of your core concept
    • Assessing available corporate resources and needs for international development
    • Establishing a forward-looking business plan for growth
  3. Preparing an International Growth Strategy – External Viewpoint
    • Marketing your program overseas – opportunities and challenges
    • Protecting your core assets in foreign countries
    • Examining target markets and developing a priority list for expansion
  4. Creating the Ideal Format to Maximize Success
    • What options do you have in structuring your international plan?
    • Comparing the economic and legal advantages and challenges in selecting the ideal format
    • What format maximizes the use of your company’s resources?
  5. Implementing Your International Plan
    • Strategies in pursuing your targeted markets
    • Finding and selecting the right foreign partners/franchisees
    • Removing barriers to success – operational, legal, economic challenges and tactics to overcome these challenges
    • Negotiating the deal
    • Establishing an operational compass for future success

Presented by: Gaylen Knack, Partner, Gray Plant Mooty and Max Schott, II, Partner, Gray Plant Mooty
Gaylen Knack
As a principal in Gray Plant Mooty’s 20 person franchise group, Gaylen has devoted over 20 years in assisting franchisors in structuring domestic and international franchise and distribution programs and advising clients on related business and regulatory issues. He also assists franchisors in developing domestic and foreign supply chains and advises clients on related international trade, due diligence, trademark, and Internet matters.

Gaylen’s combined experience in private practice and as a franchise executive provide him with a unique understanding of the complex business and legal issues that franchisors face. He has been active in various IFA activities and committees and has spoken and authored numerous articles on a variety of franchise and distribution-related topics. In the past six months, Gaylen has been recognized in International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, Chambers USA (Leading Franchise Lawyer) and as a "Legal Eagle" by Franchise Times.

Max Schott
Max Schott is a principal in the firm’s Minneapolis office and a member of the Gray Plant Mooty Franchise Practice and Distribution Group – one of the largest and most-recognized groups in the country. Max practices primarily in the area of franchise and distribution law, assisting and counseling franchisors in structuring domestic and international franchise programs. Max also advises clients on issues of disclosure and registration, relationship matters, supply chain maintenance, advertising, licensing and acquisitions. Max works with start-ups, as well as with nationally recognized, mature franchisors with multiple brands. Max is a member of the IFA’s Legal Legislative Committee and Legal Symposium Task Force. Max frequently writes and speaks on franchise-related topics, both locally and nationally. Max most recently co-authored an article, “The Amended FTC Franchise Rule: Much Ado About Nothing?” that appeared in the May 2007 issue of the American Bar Association’s The Franchise Lawyer. Max was named a "Legal Eagle" by Franchise Times for 2007.