Chair’s Message
Convention is Right Around the Corner!
I
t’s that time again, when the Canadian franchising community finds itself inching closer and closer to the industry’s biggest event of the year: the annual CFA National Convention! I’m wellseasoned in just how valuable this event can be for franchising professionals of all stripes. Whether you’re a franchising development rep for a new and emerging brand or a franchise system founder who has watched your system grow from the ground up, the value of getting together with the country’s greater franchising community for three days of learning cannot be understated. While this isn’t my first rodeo when it comes to Convention, 2020 will be the first edition of the annual gathering of franchising industry titans since the CFA moved forward with a new strategic plan in the summer. As highlighted in previous Chair’s and President’s Messages, the CFA’s strategic vision for the Association focuses on four key priorities: Building the Community, Education, Advocacy, and Lead Generation. Convention is the impetus of the strategic vision and the event’s upcoming programming will reflect that. At the 2020 convention in Montreal, we will be building the community by engaging all levels of franchising beyond the development executive office, including marketing, operations, finance, purchasing, human resources, and more. As always, the event will focus on engaging and relevant educational programs to equip attendees with the tools they need to be the best franchisors and franchise support service providers they can be. We’ll also be tackling the legal and governance issues impacting our industry head-on. When I look at the value of CFA membership for me, after my years of franchise experience and serving as a CFA board member, it all comes down to Convention, where the Association’s mission of Growing Together™ is on full display. It’s where franchising professionals come to: • Learn through an engaging roster of experts who will inspire brand growth, selling more franchise units, and building firstclass company culture.
6 The Franchise Voice // Winter 2020
• Network with more than 500 franchise leaders from across the country. • Celebrate Canadian franchising and the best it has to offer at the Awards of Excellence Gala. With the new strategic vision in place, Convention will be an exhibition of the strong network of people that can help us become better leaders and franchisors; more than 750 corporate members operating in over 50 different sectors, each bringing to the table comprehensive knowledge and insight. Convention is a demonstration of how our membership is comprised of the most authoritative voices in our industry, getting together for a threeday quest for franchising knowledge to grow our own individual concepts while at the same time propping up the industry as a whole through keynote speeches, power sessions and roundtable discussions, and endless networking opportunities. Take a look at the brochure included with this issue of The Franchise Voice to see what we have lined up for this year’s Convention. Also, check out the Supplier Guide to learn more about some of the amazing franchise support service (FSS) suppliers that you’ll have access to at the event. It’s all designed to help you get the most out of your CFA membership. We look forward to seeing you at Convention!
John DeHart Chair, CFA Board of Directors
www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online
