Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2011 | Page 50
By Kerry Pipes
Empire Builders
Multi-Unit Franchising Conference Advisory
Board meets to plan 2012 conference
M
ulti-unit franchisees dominate
the franchise landscape today.
They are the bread and butter
of franchise expansion. These business
people are smart, sophisticated, and determined—and their success proves it.
That’s why some of the best in the business have been tapped to serve on the
Multi-Unit Franchising Conference
Advisory Board. The group gathered in
September at Chicago’s historic Palmer
House to map out the 2012 conference
and plan the theme and educational direction of the annual conference, which
will be held in Las Vegas, April 24–26 at
The Mirage.
The upcoming 11th annual MultiUnit Franchising Conference is a growing endeavor that’s become a top event
in the franchising world. Two of the key
factors in the continuing success of the
conference have been its on-target topical
48
network with
“Toother brands allfranchisees
from
over the
country - food, service, fitness. I
look for the nuggets to help me
in my business. I also found a
brand I am now doing business
with as a result of the conference.
I suggest other franchisees attend
for the same reasons I go. If you
are looking for a new concept, this
is the place to go and be able to
network with franchisees of those
concepts.” – Ken Leese
timeliness and the opportunities to network with fellow multi-unit franchisees,
franchisors, and suppliers. Next year will
be no exception.
In Chicago, board members held
lengthy discussions on many topics, including how a growing governmental
presence is affecting the day-to-day business of franchisees. Mandated healthcare,
burdensome taxation, and a government
that has simply grown too large were
hashed out and identified as prime material for conference sessions and seminars.
There also was a general sense that credit
is finally beginning to loosen up, which
would open more opportunity for franchise expansion and growth.
Board members agreed that their employees are their most important assets,
and that they are always on the lookout
for improved tools to help recruit and
retain better employees, said incoming
Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue IV, 2011
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