2024 CFA NATIONAL CONVENTION – CALL FOR SPEAKERS

The 2024 National Convention Program Committee is seeking proposals for speakers and topics for next year’s Convention, which will be themed “Leading the Future Through Innovation: Forging Connections, Inspiring Courage.”

The CFA National Convention educational programming will focus on the pursuit of leadership in the franchise industry. The Committee’s goal for educational sessions is to provide content that equips CFA members with the knowledge and strategies required to emerge as frontrunners in the franchise sector. What best practices can businesses employ to assume a leadership position within the industry? The intended outcome of the 2024 CFA National Convention educational programming is to furnish franchisors with the tools and expertise necessary to become leaders in the field, setting the standard for excellence in the industry.

The CFA National Convention Committee is looking for proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Proposal topics align with the Convention theme, emphasizing leadership, collaboration, best practices, fresh ideas, and innovation to guide the future.
• Concurrent sessions and/or Power Sessions should be panel presentations that:
  • Have a moderator and two-to-three panellists (ideally including at least one franchisor or franchisee panellist)
  • Panellists should be from different organizations or have different areas of expertise to provide more comprehensive and varying perspectives on a topic.
  • All speakers must be CFA members in good standing.
• Proposals are educational and are not self-promotional.

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As leading franchise professionals in Canada, you can play a key role in strengthening the Canadian franchise industry by providing relevant, thought-provoking, and first-hand information on topics that meet the Committee’s vision and criteria.

When you complete your proposal, we suggest that you address the following key points in your submission:

1. What is the topic/title?
2. Why is this important to the audience? What’s in it for them?
3. What are the learning outcomes of the session? What are the three key learnings that attendees will take away from this session?
4. Who presents the session?
5. What makes the presenters qualified to speak on this topic?

To assist you in creating your proposal(s), below are some topic ideas from the National Convention Committee you can use for your proposal and/or as inspiration for your own topic!elations experience. Preference will be given to applicants headquartered or operating in Saskatchewan. 

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TOPIC SUGGESTIONS:

Business Development

• Conquering Sales Challenges: A Playbook for Success
• Where does ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Fit Within Your Franchise System?
• Powering Growth: Effective Lead Generation Strategies
• Marketing Strategies For Today’s Consumer
• How Franchise Development Strategy Fuels Franchise Recruitment
• The KPIs that Matter Most for Franchise Marketing Success
• Using AI and Automation to Fast-Track Your Business Development
• Recruiting Next-Generation Franchisees

Legal:

• Adapting to Changes in Legislation
• Disclosure Compliance and Best Practices
• Franchise Resales Strategies and Success Stories
• Mitigating Legal Risks in Franchising
• Managing the Impact of New Market Realities
• Legal Considerations for Adoption of AI in Your Franchise System

Operations

• The Role of AI in Your Franchise System
• Building Successful Franchisor-Franchisee Partnerships
• Leading the Leaders: Intensive Training Workshop for Field Coaches
• Setting Franchisees Up for Success: Providing Ongoing Franchisee Support Through Business Coaching (including accountability, how to reinvest in themselves and their business, the value of networking in generating business, and focusing on KPIs)
• Training is Key: Emerging Technologies, Learning Platforms, and Training Strategies for Franchisee and Staff Training
• Innovations that Protect Your Profits for Sustainable Success
• Hybrid Workplaces – What Have We Learned?

Management

• Pathways to Excellence in Franchise Leadership
• Maintaining Company Culture and Values as You Scale and Innovate
• Leadership Development and Succession Planning
• Building Teams and Giving them the Skills to Lead in Their Sector
• Leading a Diverse Workforce
• Economic Outlook: Leading through Future Financial Landscapes
• Leading the Next Generation
• Women in Leadership
• Cost Management: Best Practices
• Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace
• Effective Communication Strategies for Leadership
• Inspiring a Franchise Culture of Health and Wellness

Franchisor Fundamentals (geared for emerging franchisors)

• We also invite submissions sharing best practices for emerging franchisors on a range of topics, including (but not limited to):
  • Crafting and Executing a Powerful Franchising Strategy
  • Recruiting Franchisees: Proven Programs for Building a Successful Network
  • Nurturing Franchisee Relationships: Strategies for Long-term Success
  • Financial Mastery for Franchisors: Planning, Budgeting, and Growth
  • Leadership Essentials for Emerging Franchisors: Inspiring and Guiding Your Team
  • Lessons Learned: Best Practices for Overcoming Common Challenges and Pitfalls Faced by Emerging Franchisors

Emerging Franchise Professionals

• To foster the next generation of franchising, we also invite submissions geared to emerging franchise professionals on a range of topics, including (but not limited to):
  • Learning from Others: How to Find a Mentor
  • How to Build Your Professional Persona
  • Managing Up and Managing Down
  • Digital Transformation in Franchising: Leveraging the Latest Trends for Success
  • Sustainable Franchising: Meeting Environmental and Social Responsibility Goals
  • Finding Your Leadership Style

Deadline for Submissions: November 20, 2023

Questions? Contact Mary MacDonald, Senior Manager, Education, at mmacdonald@cfa.ca.