Franchise Brokers Association BLOG

Each year at the Franchise Broker Conference and Expo we strive to bring the most valuable and educational trainings and presentations to our attendees.  This year we held 7 educational breakout sessions over the three day event.  These sessions, totaling 6 hours, can be applied to each attendees Certified Franchise Broker^SM designation (a professional designation for franchise salespersons developed and offered by the FBA).

We offered courses in:

Franchise Sales Compliance Training – a course that educates salespeople in the laws of the FTC pertaining to the sales of a franchise.

Using Immigration Visas to Sell Franchises – this course coaches attendees on the opportunities to expand franchises through E2 Visas.

Voicemail and Email – Improving Metrics – demonstrating techniques to improve call back and close ratios.  This is a course that attendees can use in their business immediately, as soon as they return to the office.

Social Media Marketing – Social Media is still a huge, untapped market for many small businesses, this course helped attendees put together an effective social media strategy.

Fee-Based Consulting – While franchise brokering is a free service to the brokers’ clients, there is revenue opportunity that broker and consultants can still develop.

Build Value Through the Entire Sales Process – a very popular course that looked at how to keep clients focused and match concepts to their highest values, becoming a truly trusted advisor to the client.

Master Franchising to Increase Your Revenue – this course focused on the power of Master Franchising, and how attendees can tap into it.

We welcomed some of the industry’s most renowned speakers including Carl Gould, Dan Durney, Eric Riess, Larry Carnell and Todd Weiss.

Each year we build on the courses and next year look forward to providing even more opportunity for career growth and development for all attendees.

Throughout the 2011 Franchise Broker Conference and Expo, Dan Durney and the wonderfully accommodating owner at the Woodhouse Day Spa in Orlando, Allison Murphy, provided tours of the spa to conference attendees.  38 brokers and consultants participated in the tours; tours not only gave a peek inside the plush and luxurious treatment rooms but also provided a look inside the day-to-day life of an owner and why they decided to invest in the Woodhouse franchise.

The Woodhouse Day Spa is a lavish and well-appointed, resort-style spa with unique services, including the only Shirodhara massage in Orlando.  The spa offers franchisees multiple streams of revenue, including upscale spa services, private party packages, and retail sales.  The scent filling the spa caught everyone’s attention, a signature scent developed by Woodhouse Day Spa’s corporate company that is a big seller and a must-have for many clients after their initial spa experience.  Incentive programs encourage clients to make follow-up appointments before they leave the spa, further promoting multiple visits per client.

The location of the Orlando spa is placed within an affluent area of the city, but also conveniently located near upscale tourist hotels and attractions.  The franchisee uses a third-party company to encourage customers of local hotels and resorts to become clients of the spa, and they highly recommend that practice to other franchisees.

Allison spoke very highly of the brand, the training and support offered by the franchisors as well as the marketing collateral and branding efforts they’ve put into this concept.  She knew she wanted to open a spa, but once she came across Woodhouse and flew out to meet the team, she knew this was the franchise for her.

This is a wonderful concept that provides their franchisees with everything they need in the expanding and popular spa market.  The FBA is very much looking forward to working with Dan, Brandchise and the Woodhouse Spa team.

Shirodhara Oil Pot and Stand	Facial Treatment Table
Massage Treatment Room	Vichy Shower Treatments

Each year the official kick-off of the Conference and Expo is the Welcome Reception that takes place on Wednesday evening (a special thanks to Eric R. Riess and the folks at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. who once again sponsored the reception!). The welcome reception is an opportunity for all conference participants (brokers, exhibitors, franchisors and FBA staff) to meet and greet before the excitement and rush of the courses and next day’s events. There was music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and good conversation.

Life at Play  joined us and brought their photo station. It was a fun touch to the reception and a perfect ice breaker. Attendees were able to play dress up with big sunglasses, hats and boas and take funny pictures with each other.

Many brokers were able to finally meet face-to-face with franchisors that they have been working with all year. Everyone made sure to make introductions between people who didn’t know each other or that they knew would have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Cocktail and business card in-hand, this is the perfect kick-off event each year.

Just returned from the 3^rd Annual Signworld Luncheon at the FBA Annual Convention with Jack Werner.  Jack invited broker attendees 14to a special luncheon at U.S. Signworks, one of Signworlds many franchisees.  The franchisees discussed why they chose Signworld over the many of other options they were presented.  The franchisees informed all of the attendees of the great validation and support Signworld provides.  They explained how Jack from Signworld encouraged questions and that is not something they have experienced with any other franchise.

The attendees were given a chance to ask questions, the first question asked was how Signworld, being a business opportunity, generates revenue?  Jack explained how being a business opportunity corporate can run leaner, no attorneys needed for an FDD or to chase down unpaid royalities.  Jack explained most of the revenue comes from the initial investment, equipment and the Signworld convention.

Signworld has been in business for 24 years and prides themselves for never having any legal accusations against them.  The Signworld franchisees discussed how they have done business all over the United States, franchisees in Jacksonville Florida have created signs for a client all the way in Alaska!  Signworld considers themselves to be a recession resistant concept as in harder times companies need to advertise even more.  All in all Signworld is a proven concept happy to assist clients interested in becoming a part of the Signworld family.

Learn more about Signworld

Seeing a franchisee’s operation first-hand is truly eye opening.  You get to see the day-to-day life of a franchisee in a given system and can give your clients an honest description of what they can expect when they invest in this franchise or business opportunity.

The FBA is so pleased to announce this opportunity to franchise brokers and consultants who are attending the FBA’s upcoming Convention.  Signworld has graciously invited 2011 Convention attendees on a private tour of a local Signworld operation.  The tour will take place November 9^th from 12:00 – 2:00 pm, travel between the Convention hotel and the licensee’s location and lunch is provided.

This is an excellent occasion to see the operations of the notable Signworld opportunity, meet and ask questions of a Signworld licensee and see why this is a fantastic investment for your client.

 Registration for the Convention and an RSVP for the tour are required. 

For details on the event click here.

For questions or to RSVP, please contact Andrea at andrea@franchiseba.com.

Each year, we are inspired by all the amazing results that stem from the best brokers, consultants and franchisors coming together to meet, network and learn at the FBA’s Annual Convention. Relationships (and deals) are made each year, and we want to share a few of these phenomenal success stories with you.

At the 2009 convention one of the exhibiting franchisors met one of our top consultants. They forged a relationship and continued to stay in contact after the event ended. The consultant was offered an opportunity to work internally with the franchise. He has since helped them strategize and execute their growth plan.

At the 2010 convention, a franchisor met one of our brand new brokers. Shortly after the event, the broker was speaking with a new client and chose to show the franchise that he had recently formed a strong relationship with. The client ended up purchasing four territories and is planning on buying more! After this placement we featured this success story on our weekly Executive Director’s Forum call. Soon after, several other consultants targeted and sold this system, all from the relationship built at the convention.

The small investment to attend or exhibit at the Convention can be an invaluable investment in the growth and success of your business.

Want to network and build valuable connections? Join us at the 2011 Franchise Brokers Association Convention, taking place November 9 – 11, 2011 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. Click here for details.

Be sure to hit the gas pumps before hitting the road and join the FBA team on our road-trip to Washington D.C.!

IFA’s International Franchise Exposition takes place this weekend at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  Executive Director, Sabrina Wall and new husband Christopher Wall, Creative Director, along with Marketing Representative Kirsten Krenzer will be in attendance to promote the many different avenues of the FBA. IFA’s International Franchise Expo is one of the largest shows for everything franchising, which is why we fit in so perfectly! While at the exposition, we’ll be looking to recruit new consultants to join our wonderful association and attend our live training at the FBA offices, located here in sunny, beautiful Orlando, FL.  There will be various symposiums held at IFA’s expo to inform attendee’s on the plethora of information that comes with the industry.  All of us here at the FBA agree that each one of the symposiums have extremely pertinent information that we include not only in our training, but in our ongoing support of the association. We have brought this association up to speed and incorporated every facet of franchising and will, in-turn relay all of our knowledge to our new consultants.

UPDATE:  We have guest passes for the Expo and we want to invite you to join us!

FBA Board Member Carl Gould will be giving a presentation on Saturday, April 2nd, at 2:00 pm titled:

Demystifying the Franchise Process:

Avoiding the 7 Deadly Mistakes that Most Business Owners Make.

Please see details below regarding the expo and click on the invite to sign up for your guest pass.

	Carl Gould
	7 Stage Turnaround	7STAGE

FBA Executive Director Receives Bank of America Local Hero Award

Through the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative program Bank of America recognizes, nurtures, and rewards community-based organizations, local heroes and student leaders working to improve their communities.

This year’s event, which took place on the set of the Orlando Repertory Theatre’s production of “The House at Pooh Corner,” opened with a skit in which Pooh Corner’s Rabbit and Eeyore mistook the bank’s “money” for “honey.” Bank of America’s Central Florida President, John Moskos, presented $450,000 to two Central Florida nonprofit organizations, five community leaders and a group of high-achieving students in a Winnie-the-Pooh-themed ceremony at Orlando Repertory Theatre.

FBA Executive Director, Sabrina Carter, was announced as a recipient of the Central Florida Local Hero Award.  Sabrina was recognized for her commitment and dedication to the Children’s Home Society‘s MODEL Mentor Program. “I was so surprised to hear that I had received the award! There are so many wonderful people in Central Florida who consistently give back to the community and I am honored to be selected out of such a prestigious group.”

Sabrina with Representatives of the MODEL Mentor Program

During Sabrina’s acceptance speech, she thanked Bank of America for their generous donation (each Hero was given $5,000 to donate to a charity in their honor, Sabrina chose the MODEL Mentor program) and her friends and family for their support.  Sabrina moved the audience as she spoke of her time spent with Danielle, and how it has impacted her life as much as it has Danielle’s.

The selection committee was comprised of a group of recognized Florida individuals, including Former Orlando Mayor and Secretary of State Glenda Hood; Rollins College President, Emerita, Dr. Rita Bornstein; President & CEO of Community Foundation of Central Florida, Mr. Mark Brewer; V.P., Community Relations & Government Affairs for Orlando Magic, Linda Landman Gonzalez; and other prominent community members and leaders.

Rooftop Welcome Reception

We kicked off our annual convention with a Welcome Reception for all attendees and exhibitors.  The convention is held to connect Brokers with Franchisors and help them build mutually beneficial relationships.  What better way to start a two and a half day event than with a casual and fun cocktail reception?

Two days of courses, training and trade shows can be daunting, so we try to lighten the mood and make introductions easier through the official opening event.

This year, having the annual convention in Orlando, FL afforded us the opportunity of hosting the event on a rooftop patio in downtown Orlando.  We were surrounded by the lights of the city, reflections on Lake Ivanhoe, and the warmth of an October evening in Orlando.

FBA Members and Franchisors who had attended last yea’rs event took the opportunity to catch up with one another, and new faces embraced the opportunity to meet those they’ve heard about, read about and were looking forward to network with.  Drinks and appetizers were shared by associates, colleagues and friends.

For an internet-based association the FBA embraces the chance to meet face-to-face the members we communicate with on a daily basis.  Relationships were not only established here, but strengthened.

View more reception pictures and photos from other convention events here

FBA Annual Convention Highlights

Recently, FBA held its annual convention near our headquarters in Downtown Orlando.  Spanning three days, we welcomed to our event nearly 80 franchise brokers and consultants from across the country, and 30 franchise and business opportunity concepts.

We were joined by some outstanding industry professionals, including:

We were honored to have Guidant Financial Group as our Platinum Sponsor

The purpose of the event is to educate new and existing brokers, provide opportunities to network with other professionals and foster collaboration within the industry.

Events at our convention included:

Roundtable Discussions

Tradeshows

Panel Discussion

We received excellent feedback on the information provided, the events and the networking opportunities.  We are pleased to be able to provide this event annually, not only for our members, but for members of the entire franchising industry: Franchisors, Franchisees, Business Brokers, Franchise Consultants, Franchise Funding Sources, and Potential Investors.

Look for recaps on individual events throughout the month of November.

Did you attend the FBA Annual Convention? What was your favorite part?

For additional details on the FBA and upcoming events, visit our website here