1851

<p style="  font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;  line-height: normal;"><span style="major-latin;major-latin"></span></p><div id="pastingspan1">This year&#8217;s <a href="http://convention.franchise.org/home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-peek-into-this-years-ifa-conference-3405" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IFA Convention</a> is breeding some serious nostalgia for me. It was seven years ago that I attended my first IFA in San Antonio, the same city this year&#8217;s event will be held. I had just graduated college and started working for <a href="http://nolimitagency.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-peek-into-this-years-ifa-conference-3405" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="brand-highlight">No Limit Agency*</span></a> (then No Limit Media Consulting, based in my hometown of Atlanta) just a few weeks prior, when Nick and two other employees headed off to the Alamo City. I was at the office when Nick called saying that I would fly out the next morning to San Antonio as a coworker needed to attend to a family emergency.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">I was so excited for my FIRST business trip, but so unprepared. I met my mom at Nordstrom&#8217;s right after work, bought a suit and some other professional items, promising her I&#8217;d pay her back. The next morning I was off and got my first dose of the franchising industry. That very convention laid the foundation for what would become the focus of my career, and I&#8217;m very much looking forward to reliving that experience this year. So, I&#8217;m sure we&#8217;re all looking forward to a great week full of knowledge and empowerment, but what exactly can we expect?</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">I was able to speak with Anne Poodiack, Vice President, Conferences &amp; Meetings for <a href="http://www.franchise.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-peek-into-this-years-ifa-conference-3405" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IFA</a>, and she was able to give me some insight into this year&#8217;s convention.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">&#8220;Attendees can expect high-energy and fast-paced sessions that focus on positive messaging and the future of franchising,&#8221; said Poodiack. &#8220;Franchising has faced many challenges over the past year, but overall, franchising is good. Our future is bright and we will let our attendees know that. We are a united front and ambassadors for this great industry and our attendees will walk away with that feeling.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">Anne also pointed out that there will be an abundance of educational and professional development opportunities at the convention<span style="Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;EN-US; EN-US;AR-SA">&#8212;</span>more than 40 educational sessions in total and two sets of business solution round tables, which, many say, are the highlight of the convention. This is an opportunity for attendees to sit around a table of 10 with a leader discussing an assigned topic (of their choosing)<span style="Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;EN-US; EN-US;AR-SA">&#8212;</span>attendees have the opportunity to discuss their challenges surrounding that topic in a very open and small setting.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1">&#8220;People are so willing to share their success stories and their failures in order to help other people in franchising. We are very fortunate,&#8221; added Poodiack. &#8220;In addition to our line-up of speakers within franchising, we will also feature professional speakers on Sunday morning during our mini-super sessions &#8211; these professionals will address more widespread business topics including managing multi-generational talent; accountability and peak performance; and leveraging a specific edge over your competition.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">This year will also bring a celebration for the 25th Anniversary of <a href="http://www.vetfran.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-peek-into-this-years-ifa-conference-3405" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IFA&#8217;s VetFran program</a>.</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">&nbsp;</div><div>Some other highlights include:</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1"><ul><li><span style="">NextGen FranShark, where young entrepreneurs will present their business concept to franchise leaders with years of experience and will in turn, receive advice.</span></li><li><span style="">Dynamic keynote presentations &#8211; the first from Four-Star General Stan McChrystal who will speak to leadership and team building; and the second from Ford Motors Manager of Global Trends, Sheryl Connelly, who is a frequent TED speaker and will share her insights on the future innovations that will affect small businesses.</span></li><li><span style="">An upscale reception on Saturday night called The Buzz, which will feature live music, cigar rolling and tasting bars with sommeliers.</span></li><li><span style="">An indoor/outdoor networking event on Monday night called The Bash that will be casual and allow for attendees to relax and have fun before the final day of programming.</span></li><li><span style="">An Exhibit Hall featuring nearly 350 booths that will house supplier partners who want to work with our franchisor and franchisee members to help them streamline their business operations, grow their brands and attract more customers through their doors.</span></li><li><span style="">More information on the <a href="http://franchisinggivesback.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-peek-into-this-years-ifa-conference-3405" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franchising Gives Back program</a></span><span style="">&nbsp;where IFA members are asked to do volunteer work for a local community service project.</span></li></ul></div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">&#8220;San Antonio is a very welcoming city and they are excited to have IFA coming to town,&#8221; said Poodiack. &#8220;This is a city most-famous to being home of the Alamo and the 15-mile River Walk that winds through the charming city center. The city can be easily explored on foot and has a wide-variety of great restaurants and shopping.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">I&#8217;m exited for you all to come to San Antonio as well<span style="Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;EN-US; EN-US;AR-SA">&#8212;</span>a city I know very well! San Antonio has been my home for nearly three years, and I can&#8217;t deny that when I first learned my husband and I would be moving here, that the first thing I thought of was that IFA conference. It was San Antonio where my career launched, San Antonio where I settled in to, and ironically San Antonio where I now work for No Limit Agency, seven years later.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">I hope all the attendants this year can truly appreciate the experience of IFA and this beautiful city. It&#8217;s given me a lot and for that I am truly thankful.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div id="pastingspan1"></div><div id="pastingspan1">For up-to-date details and to download the program brochure, which outlines all of our sessions and speakers, <a href="http://convention.franchise.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-peek-into-this-years-ifa-conference-3405" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please click here.</a></div><p style="  font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;  line-height: normal;"><span style="major-latin;major-latin"> </span></p>

1851 Franchise

We talked to Anne Poodiack, Vice President, Conferences & Meetings for IFA, to hear what insight she has  into 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

A Peek into this Year's IFA Conference       

a-peek-into-this-years-ifa-conference

Paris Baguette

Photo of array of Paris Baguette pastries

Paris Baguette Redefines Morning Routines With Fresh Breakfast and Premium Coffee Strategy

paris-baguette-breakfast-strategy-growth

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

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

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

A Peek into this Year's IFA Conference

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS