Top 10 Franchise Events in 2024

Networking is vital in the franchise industry. Luckily, these events offer plenty of opportunity to speak with industry leaders and workshop with franchising peers. These 10 are worth a visit if you are looking to learn more or grow your business.

International Franchise Association (IFA) Convention 

1851 Supplier Profile

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Each year, the IFA Convention delivers unparalleled programming and networking opportunities for global franchise leaders across all stages of brand development. With C-suite roundtables, consumer marketing sessions, renowned speakers and certification programs like the Certified Franchise Executive, there's valuable content for everyone. 

Attending the three-day event is a must for anyone in the industry, offering the chance to engage in expert education and leadership development, network with top franchising minds and connect with supplier partners to foster relationships and drive brand growth.

Franchise Leadership & Development Conference (FLDC)

1851 Supplier Profile

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Established in 1998 with the aim of creating a platform for franchise sales professionals and C-suite executives to connect and exchange ideas from industry peers, the Franchise Leadership and Development Conference has become an essential event for franchise executives aiming for rapid brand development. 

The event focuses on innovative tactics and foundational strategies, offering collaborative learning opportunities and problem-solving workshops along with a slew of inspiring speakers. Attendees can expect strategic content curated by industry experts and plenty of networking time with top leaders. The conference also hosts tailored workshops on lead generation and growth strategies. 

The National Franchise Show

1851 Supplier Profile

Locations (U.S.): Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C.; Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Miami, Florida; New York, New York; Orlando, Florida; Pasadena, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Tampa, Florida

Locations (Canada): Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; London, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Toronto, Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia and Winnipeg, Manitoba

The National Franchise Show is the largest and most frequented franchise trade show circuit in North America, hosting more than 36 highly attended franchise trade shows annually. These events unite buyers and sellers of the most sought-after franchise opportunities. Attendees have the chance to engage directly with representatives from leading franchise concepts keen on expansion or development in their respective areas.

MFV Expositions

1851 Supplier Profile

Locations: Various, including Austin, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Los Angeles, California and New York, New York

For over 30 years, MFV Expositions' global brands have been generating qualified leads for franchisors in person at their premier franchise events. The expos showcase franchises from various industries and investment levels. Comprehensive educational programs assist attendees in determining the best franchise option for them and provide guidance on financing options, legal matters and other relevant topics.

Franchise Business Review (FBR) Summit

1851 Supplier Profile

Location: Denver, Colorado

Tailored exclusively for franchise operations leaders and their teams responsible for franchisee support, the FBR Summit focuses on tackling your most pressing challenges head-on. This event provides practical insights unavailable elsewhere. Prepare to delve deep, address fundamental issues and find tangible solutions that will ensure the long-term success of franchisees.

Emerging Franchisor Conference by IFA

1851 Supplier Profile 

Location: Washington, D.C.

Numerous brands credit their initial growth to the relationships, resources and insights acquired through IFA.The Emerging Franchisor Conference, founded in 1960, combines these invaluable assets in one location and time. Absorb growth strategies from accomplished brands while sidestepping pitfalls with the advice of seasoned veterans in the field. Exchange insights on common hurdles with fellow professionals on their franchise journey. The conference facilitates targeted networking to foster connections and accelerate expansion.

The event lasts three days, with many keynote speeches and specialized sessions covering topics like development, operations, finance and marketing for emerging and re-emerging franchises. 

Restaurant Finance & Development Conference

1851 Supplier Profile

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

The annual Restaurant Finance & Development Conference, hosted by The Restaurant Finance Monitor, stands as the restaurant industry's foremost financial event, catering to restaurant company owners, franchise operators and financial executives. The conference focuses solely on the business aspect of the restaurant industry, offering attendees a chance to stay informed about industry trends and capital markets through expert educational sessions covering financial, economic, accounting, technology, strategy and operational topics.

Great American Franchise Expo

Locations: Various, including Charlotte, North Carolina; Tampa, Florida; Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas and New York, New York

The Great American Franchise Expo serves as a platform where hundreds of franchise businesses connect with prospective owners. Through seminars led by industry experts covering essential topics such as franchise law and financing, attendees gain valuable education. These expos offer potential franchisees the chance to network with prominent industry executives and franchise developers, fostering invaluable connections for future business endeavors. There are numerous events throughout the year at various locations across the country.

Multi-Unit Franchising Conference

1851 Supplier Profile

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

The Multi-Unit Franchising Conference is centered on delivering content and fresh business prospects to multi-unit franchisees, aiding in the expansion of their brands. The event is created and hosted by multi-unit franchisees for their peers and provides practical solutions to contemporary franchisee challenges. 

Attendees have the opportunity to network with top franchisees, franchisors and suppliers while exploring the exhibit hall showcasing premier investment opportunities across franchise brands and a range of products and services. 

Small Business Expo

Locations: Miami, Florida; New York, New York; San Diego, California; Houston, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Phoenix, Arizona; Austin, Texas; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada

Small Business Expo holds small business conferences in major business hubs across the United States. The events offer a great return on investment as they are free to attend. Seminars presented by industry experts cover essential topics and workshops drive immediate action and business growth. The expos include speed-networking sessions to facilitate new opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with industry-leading vendors in the exhibitor hall for deals and discounts on products and services. 

These 10 franchise events in 2024 offer unparalleled opportunities for education, networking and business growth. Each event provides valuable insights and connections for franchise professionals at every level. Whether it's learning from industry experts, networking with peers and suppliers, or exploring new business opportunities, attending these events is essential for those looking to stay ahead in the dynamic world of franchising.

If you are a prospective entrepreneur looking into franchising, a franchisor hoping to expand or a franchise consultant growing your business, check out The 1851 Growth Club — a sales/growth consultancy hyper-focused on doing franchising the right way.