Franchise Springboard 2024 - A Fun Event to Participate

This September, I had the privilege of attending the 12th annual Springboard Franchise Conference in Philadelphia, and what an event it was!

With its growing popularity, Springboard has earned a reputation as a must-attend event for the franchise community, recently ranked as the second favorite franchise event overall. The energy and collaboration among attendees were palpable, and it reminded me of how the International Franchise Association (IFA) felt 25 years ago—intimate yet packed with valuable insights and connections.

I was honored to speak on a panel focused on outsourcing and the use of fractional executives to help franchise brands thrive. The panel featured excellent speakers and a fantastic moderator, and we had a lively discussion that provided real value to attendees. Later, I was called up at the last minute to substitute on a larger main-stage panel, “How To Be A Household Name without Private Equity,” representing Sport Clips. It was a lot of fun to contribute on short notice, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to add my perspective to the conversation.

One of the things I appreciate most about Springboard is the sense of community it fosters. With fewer than a thousand attendees, mostly franchisor executives, the event feels like a family reunion where you can reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. The opportunities for networking and knowledge-sharing are invaluable, and I walked away from the conference with new insights and stronger relationships.

Events like Springboard are essential to the franchise industry because they provide a space for meaningful collaboration, idea-sharing, and friendship-building. I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate and am already looking forward to next year’s event!