Roundtable Discussion Sessions – 24 topics to choose from

Roundtable Topics Include:
	Refranchising Facilitator: Rainer Mueller Refranchising plays an important but often overlooked role in the viability of any franchise system. This session offers strategies for proactively managing the midterm exit of franchisees and integrating new franchisees into the existing system. Learn how to overcome the challenges involved with refranchising to ensure your system’s long-term success.
	Franchisee Financing Programs Facilitator: Joseph Pisani, Manager, National Franchising Services, BMO Bank of Montreal Relationships are a crucial component of any business transaction and securing franchise financing is no exception. In this session, learn how to foster relationships with representatives at key lending institutions to improve your chances of securing financing for franchisees. Discuss the many sources of franchise financing available and share ideas with your peers.
	Social Media Facilitator: Leya Abramsom, Account Executive, theadlibgroup When it comes to creating “buzz,” social media is one of the most effective and cost efficient ways to get people talking about your brand. This session offers tips on how to use social media to create buzz and target customers at both the local and national level. Build brand awareness and create loyal brand ambassadors with your social media marketing plan.
	Franchisee Advisory Councils Facilitator: Wayne Maillet, President, Franchise Specialists The Franchisee Advisory Council (FAC) is a proven tool for fostering positive franchisor-franchisee relations but not all FACs are effectual. Learn how to transform your FAC into a structured vehicle for constructive, two-way communication between the franchisor and franchisees. Discover how and when to implement strategies to make your FAC as efficient and effective as possible.
	Qualifying Franchisees Facilitator: Teresa Schoonings, Vice President, Franchise Management, Canada Bread Just as all franchises are not created equal, not every aspiring franchisee is cut out to be one. How can franchisors identify those who are well suited for franchise ownership? This session will provide a detailed overview of what to look for in a franchisee and outline a clearly defined process to guide you in systematically selecting only those franchisees who are fit for your system.
	HR Best Practices Facilitator: Tony Polera, Ceridian Canada Ltd. A franchise system is only as strong as the team behind it so knowing how to recruit and retain top talent is of prime importance to franchisors. This session offers an in-depth discussion on human resources management, with advice on how to attract and retain the best and brightest at every level, from corporate executives and franchisees to managers and front-line staff.
	Technology Today Facilitator: Maribel Guiste, Vice President Operations, WSI As technology continues to evolve, it can be difficult for franchisors to keep up with the latest innovations. This session will get you up to speed with an in-depth discussion on how the latest technology can be used to enhance your franchise system’s operations. Hear how other franchisors are using technology to simplify various processes from franchisee recruitment and screening to site selection and analysis.
	Field Support Programs Facilitator: Bob Gappa, President, Management 2000 Supporting your franchisees on the frontlines can have a dramatic effect on your franchise system’s performance. In this session, learn and share best practices for conducting field visits. Discuss the role of field support in franchisor-franchisee relations and examine the skills, attributes and tools that can help field representatives perform their roles effectively.
	Groupon Facilitator: Gigi Harding, CEO, Kwik Kopy Printing Canada Corp. Groupon and other deal-of-the-day websites are a great way to attract new customers but if your business is unprepared for the sudden spike in traffic that often accompanies a deal, you risk creating a negative first impression on those customers you worked so hard to bring in. This session offers best practices for partnering with deal-of-the-day websites, including how to design an attractive deal, how to prepare your staff for the increase in business and how to “wow” new customers so they’ll come back and recommend your brand to others.
	Generating Leads in a Tradeshow Environment Facilitator: Shawn Saraga, President, Mr. Franchise Inc. Exhibiting at franchise trade-shows is one of the best ways to meet face-to-face with qualified franchisee leads, but unless you know how to effectively manage your tradeshow experience, it’s unlikely you’ll get your full money’s worth. In this session, share strategies for tradeshow management based on your experience and results. Learn how to earn and retain leads and explore different approaches that have worked over the years.
	Real Estate – Changing Economic Markets and the Effects on Retailers Facilitators: Chris Doulos, Director of Business Development, Boston Pizza International Inc.and Joel Friedman, VP of Franchising and Real Estate Wings Up! Over the next few years, the Canadian retail market is set to experience some dramatic changes that will directly impact the franchise industry. In this roundtable, discuss how rising land prices, the lack of new developments and the influx of U.S. retailers into Canada will affect your franchise system and discuss strategies for addressing these issues.
	Brand Building Facilitators: Annette Brennan, President and Founder, and Marianne Schuts, Business Development Manager, Crock A Doodle Branding isn’t about having an attractive logo or clever advertising; branding is about consistently and creatively delivering on your customer promise. In this session, you’ll discuss how to leverage your brand’s power through remarkable customer service, engaging social media activity and meaningful customer communication. Build value and stay relevant with the branding strategies you’ll learn and share in this session.
	Media and Public Relations Facilitator: Patti Hone, President, As You Like It Marketing & Communications Liaising with the media is a key component of building brand awareness. In this session, learn how to forge relationships with key members of the media to ensure timely and positive coverage for your brand. Share strategies for navigating media interviews and mitigating negative publicity. Discover best practices for writing press releases and spreading the latest news about your brand.
	Managing System Change Facilitator: Peter Druxerman, Vice President of Marketing, Druxy’s Inc. Thinking of upgrading your franchise system? Not so fast! There are a number of questions you need to consider before you implement system-wide changes, such as: How do you know when it’s time for a change? When and how should you notify your franchisees? What are the risks and benefits associated with updating your system? In this session, you’ll discuss these and other questions with your peers and share best practices for managing system changes.
	Selling More Franchises Facilitator: Marietta Snetsinger, Chief Solutions Officer, Ascend Franchise Solutions Are you ready to expand your franchise system but don’t know where to begin? This session will help you identify key markets for franchise expansion, provide an overview of the best recruitment opportunities and offer strategies and tips to improve your selling techniques and marketing materials.
	Supporting Struggling Franchisees Facilitator: John Woodburn, President, CJ Woodburn & Associates Every franchisor has a percentage of franchisees that are struggling. How can you identify and reach out to struggling franchisees before it’s too late? This session will explore the symptoms of a struggling franchisee, identify common causes of franchisee dissatisfaction and offer strategies for improving performance and morale.
	Franchisee Conventions Facilitator: Walter Melanson, Director of Partnerships, PropertyGuys.com Inc. Franchisee conventions can help franchisors create a real sense of belonging and community among franchisees, but they also require a significant amount of time and money. In this session, share ideas on how to make the most of your franchisee conventions. Increase franchisee participation, build morale and gain franchisees’ support and input on strategic initiatives at your next franchisee convention.
	AODA – Issues and Implementation Facilitator: Accessibility Directorate of Ontario As of January 2012, all businesses in Ontario must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). What does this mean for your franchise system? This session provides a clear and concise overview of the requirements created by the AODA and offers strategies for implementation. Share resources and discuss potential challenges in this timely and informative session.
	Franchisee Training Facilitator: Dan Belhassen, President, Smarter-U Inc. All franchisors promote initial and ongoing training as benefits of joining their system, but providing an effective training program is easier said than done. In this session, learn how to leverage training for maximum profitability. Identify gaps in your franchisees’ knowledge and learn how to design a comprehensive training program that translates to franchisee success.
	Employee Policies – Social Media Facilitator: Chad Finkelstein, Partner, Dale & Lessmann LLP Most franchise systems have developed social media profiles on multiple platforms to advertise and promote their brand. However, franchisors should be aware of the risks involved when delegating the operation of these profiles to employees. This session will explore the potential legal pitfalls associated with social media marketing and provide solutions for ensuring employees’ online activities comply with company standards and protocol, in particular, as it relates to communicating with users, posting content and maintaining personal social media profiles.
	Issues and Challenges for New Franchisors Facilitator: Ruthie Burd, President/Founder, The Lunch Lady You have a great concept but you’ve just discovered that franchising it is like starting a whole new business! Find out what others are doing to manage the highs and lows of being a new franchisor in an ever changing marketplace. Learn how to build the right team to develop your brand, choose the right franchisees and stay positive no matter what comes your way.
	Recruitment Ideas and Strategies Facilitator: Michel Gagnon, President, Davier Consultants Attracting qualified franchisees is a challenge every franchisor faces. In this session, discuss strategies and best practices for franchisee recruitment. Identify key sources for qualified franchisee leads and share ideas on how to make your franchise concept stand out, from what to include in your marketing materials to how to navigate the discovery process.
	Ombudsman Program Facilitator: Sue Vanditelli, Ombudsman, Canadian Franchise Association Informal dispute resolution processes, such as the CFA Ombudsman program, are an effective way to resolve disputes outside of court. This session will look at the types of situations that are well suited to alternative dispute resolution and provide an overview of the benefits of negotiating, even if you are in the right. Discuss case studies and share your experiences with alternative dispute resolution.
	Non-Compete Agreements: Developments in the law Co-Facilitators: Jeffrey E. Feiner, Associate, and Bill Black, Litigation Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP Franchisor's take comfort from non-compete agreements which prevent a franchisee from directly competing against the franchise system upon termination of the franchise relationship. However, recent developments in the law have rendered uncertain the successful enforcement of non-compete agreements. This session would discuss these recent legal developments and strategies for drafting non-compete agreements which have a greater chance of being enforced should the need arise.