IFA’s Public Affairs Conference a Must – as is Tonight’s ATLFA

We all know how every move we make is critically important during these trying economic times. Equally important, is absorbing as much information as possible, to support our moves. This week's blog post serves as a friendly reminder that Ron Feldman, CEO of Siegel Financial Group, (and RetroTax franchisee) is in town and will be discussing financing in franchising at tonight’s Atlanta Franchise Alliance networking event, just ahead of next week's big IFA conference, September 14-15 in DC. Both of these are MUST attend events for everyone in franchising!

ATLANTA FRANCHISE ALLIANCE
TONIGHT (9.9.9) from 5:30 – 7:30
The Ravinia Club
2 Ravinia Drive
Atlanta, GA 30346

An evening with Ron Feldman, CEO of Siegel Financial Group discussing the state of financing in franchising.

IFA’S PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE
September 14-15, 2009
JW Marriott Hotel
Washington, DC

IFA’s Public Affairs Conference is the franchise industry’s most important advocacy event.
Formerly known as Franchise Appreciation Day, re-branded Public Affairs Conference, is your chance to discuss with members of Congress how franchising is being impacted by their decisions. During the conference, IFA schedules meeting on Capitol Hill to discuss:
Economic Stimulus Programs
Health Care Reform
Card Check Legislation
Finance/lending reform
Tax Policy

This year’s keynote speaker is George F. Will, America’s foremost political commentator and columnist.

There is no registration fee to attend either of these programs.

More than 500 franchisors, franchisees and suppliers participated last year to tell franchising’s story. Join the IFA again this year to lobby Congress on the issues that matter in protecting the business climate for franchising.

Franchise Appreciation Day Drives Business

As in the past, attending the International Franchise Association's Fall Leadership Meetings and Franchise Appreciation Day in Washington, DC, is about spreading the good word about franchising on Capitol Hill to politicians who represent the franchisor’s and franchisee’s communities across the country. In the past, when I worked for established service and restaurant brands, part of my mission in DC was to represent my brand to these politicians. This year though, was different.

Now, as Co-founder and President of RetroTax, a start-up concept, my mission took a slightly different tack. Sure, I still attended the leadership meetings as Minorities in Franchising Committee Chair and First vice-chair of IFA's Diversity Institute, but every bit as important, especially for my business, was meeting with potential franchisees and clients in the Greater DC area.

The reason I bring this up is two-fold. First, no matter what city I travel to, there's no shortage of interested parties to speak with. I mean who would turn down the opportunity to have thousands in tax credits made available to them, especially when there are no up-front fees required for qualifying? Second, I am establishing business for my future franchisees. I am validating the viability of these markets by ensuring companies are indeed interested in working with us. The RetroTax business model allows me to set up theses accounts virtually, without having a "physical" brick and mortar location.

Times are changing. Never before could I go into a new market, where I had no previous presence and be in business just like that. But, with RetroTax, I can travel to any of some 200 "Zone" markets and set up shop immediately. This should more than validate the potential of our opportunity for our future franchisees.

As in the past, Franchise Appreciation Day was a tremendous networking and relationship building event. This time though, it took on even greater meaning, because of the new relationships that I was able to generate, with potential new clients and franchisees.