Inside Look: The IFA 2012 Public Affairs Conference

By BEN HEINEMANN After morning Board of Directors and Leadership meetings made the Hyatt Regency at Capitol Hill buzz with all things franchise, the 2012 International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Public Affairs Conference officially began at 2 p.m. EST with opening remarks from Jon Luther, chairman for Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., chairman of the board for Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., and chairman of the International Franchise Association. “It’s an exciting time to be in our nation’s Capital,” started Luther, as he hammered home the importance of the upcoming election and the huge impact it will have on the franchise industry. Luther cited the uncertainty surrounding pending political decisions and issues, including the potential extension or discontinuation of the Bush-era tax policies as well as the new health care law, as “preventing (franchisors) from doing what’s best,” referring to the many jobs the franchise industry creates each year. “We build and grow the best businesses,” Luther continued. “With 400 business leaders in town this week…we work to ensure Congress knows the economic impact of the franchising industry.” Following Luther’s welcome, IFA’s President and CEO Stephen Caldeira explained to the conference attendees, including franchisors and franchisees, the three headwinds the franchise industry currently faces. “The healthcare law will be burdensome,” said Caldeira, before citing the current credit access situation, with a $1.8 billion shortfall for meeting the forecasted lending demands for new business, as well as the approaching “fiscal cliff” on taxes and spending, as the biggest challenges the franchise industry has heading into the next election and into next year. “If taxes go up, jobs go down,” Calderia said, echoing the sentiments of a full-page ad taken out in today’s issue of POLITICO. “The franchise industry’s voice will be heard at the ballot box this fall.” Caldeira’s opening remarks kicked off a three-hour long session where attendees heard from Tom Mesenbourg Jr., acting director for the U.S. Cencus Bureau, Michael Pires, an executive for the Small Business Services Division of ADP, Inc., and panels which discussed current government affairs updates, tips on how to influence members of congress during planned Congressional meetings, and a discussion on what the new health acre law means for businesses. The 2012 IFA Public Affairs Conference continues tomorrow.