1851

The <a href="http://www.franchise.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-takeaways-from-the-2015-ifa-annual-convention-1192" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">International Franchise Association</a> once again brought industry pros from across the country to lovely Las Vegas. However, if you count yourself among the number that didn&#8217;t attend (or simply got sidetracked by all the flashing neon), have no fear &#8211; 1851 has got your back. Lauren Boukas, vice president at Chicago-based PR firm No Limit Agency*, was nice enough to chat with us about this year&#8217;s convention. The following are five of her takeaways, big and small. &#8216;Connect. Innovate. Evolve&#8217; was more than just a slogan <p style=" background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">&#8220;I feel like this theme really captured the essence of the convention,&#8221; Boukas told 1851. &#8220;With franchise brands located all over the country, the IFA convention is an opportunity for everyone to connect and learn. I felt like many of the roundtable and panel topics were incredibly innovative - it was really cool to discuss social media strategies and emerging technology.&#8221; <span style=" background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">The breakout sessions made their mark &#8220;The breakout sessions offered in-depth insight from the industry's biggest players,&#8221; Boukas continued. &#8220;We were able to learn about topics that are important to PR, from how to create super-charged grand opening events to SEO and SEM strategies for lead generation.&#8221; <span style=" color: #222222; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Girl Scout Cookies make everything better &#8220;Our booth, complete with dunk tank and Girl Scout Cookies, was hoppin' both days!&#8221; she said. <span style=" color: #222222; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">More time to see the sights would be appreciated &#8220;The panels were really cool - I would suggest spreading these out more or having shorter sessions so people don't have to choose between 20 sessions,&#8221; Boukas said. &#8220;I would have loved being able to attend more.&#8221; <span style=" color: #222222; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">If you operate in the franchise industry, the IFA Annual Convention is a can&#8217;t-miss affair <span style=" color: #222222; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"> &#8220;It's one of the only times of the year that all the important players in franchising are in one room together,&#8221; Boukas continued. &#8220;The opportunities for learning and networking are endless!&#8221; And for any IFA newbies gearing up for their first trip to the convention next year, Boukas had some vital advice: <span style=" color: #222222; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">&#8220;Bring comfortable shoes, don't hand out someone else's business card on accident and be prepared for long and productive days!&#8221;<span style=" color: #500050; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">

1851 Franchise

One attendee's highlights from this year's convention.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

5 Takeaways from the 2015 IFA Annual Convention    

5-takeaways-from-the-2015-ifa-annual-convention

Paris Baguette Canada

Photo of exterior of a Paris Baguette location

How Much Can I Make as a Paris Baguette Franchisee?

paris-baguette-franchise-disclosure-document-analysis

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers: Where Proven Success Meets People-First Franchising

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-culture-success

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-positioning-image

Bouncing Into Business: How Busy Bee Jumpers Is Building the First National Bounce House Franchise

franchise-opportunity-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

Layne’s Franchisees Capitalize on First-To-Market Advantage in Chicken Finger Frenzy

laynes-franchise-first-mover-advantage

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Brianna and Matt Fitchett, Seniors Helping Seniors logo

Nonprofit Leaders to Bring Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise to East Bay, California

nonprofit-leaders-to-bring-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-to-east-bay-california

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Abid Khan and Paris Baguette logo

Longtime Tim Horton’s Franchisee Signs 4-Unit Agreement with Paris Baguette in Toronto

longtime-tim-hortons-franchisee-signs-4-unit-agreement-with-paris-baguette-in-toronto

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Melissa & Matt Johnson and Pigtails & Crewcuts logo

Building a Family-Friendly Business: How Melissa and Matt Johnson Grew Pigtails & Crewcuts in San Antonio

how-melissa-and-matt-johnson-grew-pigtails-crewcuts-in-san-antonio

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Steve & Mia Kim & Paris Baguette logo

After Falling in Love with Paris Baguette, This North Carolina Couple Decided To Open One of Their Own

paris-baguette-franchise-charlotte-nc

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

Affordable Franchise Opportunities: Exploring Low-Cost Home Service Franchises Under $50K

affordable-franchise-opportunities-exploring-low-cost-home-service-franchises-under-50k

5 Takeaways from the 2015 IFA Annual Convention

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS