Johnny Franchise: The Franchise Expert

The Value of a Franchise Brand Annual Conference

Written by John Francis | May 23, 2024 3:00:00 PM

 

Franchise brands typically host an annual conference, bringing together franchise owners, vendors, suppliers, headquarters staff, speakers, and other key stakeholders. This practice is widely recognized as a "best practice" due to its immense added value. It's hard to imagine a franchise system thriving without such a gathering.

These conferences offer valuable insights and opportunities for me to connect with like-minded professionals within my clients' franchise systems. Over the years, I've witnessed the evolution of brands, celebrated milestones, and observed the powerful impact of collective growth and collaboration.

Looking ahead, I'm eager to attend upcoming conferences and engage with entrepreneurs aiming to elevate their franchise businesses. These events provide an excellent opportunity to interact directly with franchisees, either one-on-one or in small groups, where I can offer questions, perspectives, and occasionally advice to support their journey.

This year, I've already attended several conferences, including Big Frog in Tampa in January and Sport Clips in Nashville. Next month, I'll be in Fort Worth for the Dream Maker Bath & Kitchen 25-year anniversary conference. Attending these events allows me to gain firsthand insight into the brand's dynamics, meet the corporate team, vendors, suppliers, and franchisees, and learn from speakers about industry trends.

I also believe it's beneficial for franchisees to see board of advisors or directors at their conferences. Their presence demonstrates confidence in the leadership and fosters transparency and accessibility.

Occasionally, I've been invited to participate as a speaker, presenter, or workshop leader, and sometimes as a supplier, available to answer franchisees' questions. Engaging with brands at this level deepens my understanding and strengthens relationships, enabling me to add more value to each client and brand.

Organizing these conferences is a significant task for the headquarters team. Fortunately, there are vendors and suppliers who can assist with organization, speakers, and other strategies to enhance the event's success and manageability.

Never underestimate the impact of your franchise conference. Strive to provide tremendous value to all participants. Capturing the energy, positivity, and excitement of the conference and sharing it with those who couldn't attend is invaluable. Use videos and photos to remind your team and franchisees of the fun and success they experienced. It's beneficial to bring back award-winning speakers and highly rated workshops to help franchisees remember the value of the conference and look forward to the next one with anticipation.

If you're struggling to increase participation levels, let's discuss some strategies and techniques to boost engagement. Often, the franchisees who need it the most are the ones who aren't there!

If you're ready to embark on a journey of transformation and growth for your franchise, I invite you to start a conversation with me. Together, we can unlock your business's full potential and pave the way for a future of success and fulfillment.

Are you ready to elevate your business to new heights? Let's talk.

Brand Conferences Attended:

  • Big Frog - January, Tampa, Florida
  • Sport Clips - Nashville, Tennessee
  • Dream Maker Bath & Kitchen 25th Anniversary - Fort Worth, Texas