Get All Access for $5/mo

Entrepreneur Gears Up for 2022 IFA Convention The convention begins February 25 at the San Diego Convention Center.

By Jeff Cheatham

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Entrepreneur Magazine is proud to be a sponsor of the 62nd annual IFA Convention, which begins later this month on Friday, February 25 and concludes on Tuesday, March 1. This year's event marks the first time in three years that a national or international IFA meeting will be taking place in person — as the past two years dictated virtual attendance only. As many as 4,000 attendees are expected to descend on San Diego, where the five-day event is scheduled to take place at the San Diego Convention Center, located in the picturesque Marina District.

New leadership and new direction

The International Franchise Association (IFA) is under the new leadership of President Matthew Haller, a 10-year veteran of the organization. A staunch franchising advocate, Haller is responsible for enhancing the group's lobbying coalition and making sure the trade industry group's voice was well-represented and heard as it pertained to pandemic relief efforts.

"As this year's IFA Convention approaches, we have a new and inspired message to share — that the franchising industry is open for opportunity," Haller says. "As the pandemic recedes and the full spectrum of business and commerce is unleashed, the IFA has a new mission to connect with entrepreneurs at the local level — right in their own communities. This is where the backbone of America's small business resides, and we will be imparting our convention attendees to "go home and get loud' about the growth and possibilities for the franchising industry."

Entrepreneur Media's partnership

Entrepreneur Magazine, owner of the prestigious "Franchise 500" rankings, is one of 60 different presenting sponsors of the 2022 IFA Convention. As franchising's largest trade industry group, the IFA has rededicated itself to focusing on partnerships that align successful brands and businesses.

"Our approach to partnerships is much more pragmatic than in the past," Haller says. "We simply have to meet more people where they are and spread our message of openness and opportunity. As we plan for the future, we've found that time is what matters the most – to the entrepreneurs that will make up the next generation of franchise owners, time is an irreplaceable resource. And we want to make sure the amount we have to work with is used wisely."

2022 IFA convention highlights

The 2022 IFA Convention will include a couple of special guest speakers, including former NBA All-Star Shaquille O'Neal and Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour, the first black female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. O'Neal will be speaking on the power of entrepreneurship — something he knows quite a bit about from his experience as a multi-unit owner of five different franchise brands. Armour will be spreading a message of diversity and how the inclusion of leaders from diverse backgrounds can be a positive contribution to a new generation of business leaders.

Entrepreneur Media's franchising division has a mission to educate, recruit, train and help maintain the next generation of franchise owners in the United States. Through its participation in multiple meetings and panels throughout the convention, the group intends to shore up the IFA President's message that the franchising industry is indeed "open for opportunity."

To register for the 2022 IFA Convention, simply follow this link. A full agenda of the five-day event can be found on the IFA's 2022 Convention's landing page.

Jeff Cheatham

Founder and CEO of Creative Content

Jeff Cheatham is the founder and CEO of Creative Content, a full-service copywriting and public relations firm. He's based in Dallas and works with multiple B2B clients and over a dozen franchise brands to develop proprietary content campaigns for lead generation and sales development programs.


https://creativecontent-llc.com/

 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Growing a Business

How to Determine The Ideal Length of Your Marketing Emails Your Customers Will Actually Read

Wondering how long your marketing emails should be? Here's what consumers say — so you can send them exactly what they like.

Business News

A Former Corporate Lawyer Now Makes Six Figures on YouTube — Here's How She Does It

Here are the secrets to starting and growing a successful YouTube channel, according to a YouTuber with millions of subscribers.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.