2010 Free Seminars

These FREE educational seminars will help you make the right decisions during your franchise research.


For easy guidance, each description is related to a specific category. The legend below will help you understand the meaning of the symbols listed with each seminar description.
Buying a Franchise Franchisors Seeking Growth Franchising Your Business
Three Party Franchising Franquiciando para el Inversionista Hispanoamericano

Friday, Nov. 5

Getting Ready to Franchise Your Business
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Room 512
Presented by: Marla Rosner, Senior Training Consultant, Michael H. Seid & Associates and Keith Carleton, Senior Consultant, Michael H. Seid & Associates

Becoming a franchisor can be one of the most important decisions you will ever make in business. However, before hiring a consultant and lawyer to develop your franchise program, you must first understand how ready your concept is to franchise and then determine the appropriate steps to take. This seminar will identify common deficiencies in companies prior to franchising, as well as how to guide you in preparing your company and concept for franchising. This session is also useful for those companies that are about to expand, even if they are not currently considering franchising.
Sponsored by

Is a Master Franchise/Area Franchise Right for You?
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 514
Presented by: Bill Killion, Partner, Faegre and Benson and Brian Schnell, Partner, Faegre and Benson

Many franchisors offer some form of master franchise or area/regional director franchise where the master/area franchisee performs many of the typical franchise support functions. These functions may include franchise sales, training and operational support. This session will identify what you might expect and how to assess these opportunities.
Sponsored by

Understanding the Franchise Agreement
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 511A
Presented by: Bruce Napell, Partner, Singler, Napell & Dillon

The franchise agreement is a contract which defines the franchise and your relationship with the franchisor. It compares your obligations with the franchisor’s obligations. Find out more about this important document including the five critical elements of every franchise agreement: territorial rights, royalties, renewal rights, transferability and termination.
Sponsored by

Taking Your Franchise System to the Next Level: Examining Common Traits of Successful Franchisors
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Room 513
Presented by: Max Schott, II, Principal, Gray Plant Mooty and Kevin Moran, Principal, Gray Plant Mooty

Understand why establishing a foundation is so important as well as about the planning tools, executive group talent and revenue enhancement programs necessary to reach that goal. Learn how the use of franchisee advisory councils and associations, and the role of an operations manual can make for effective communication in the franchise system. This seminar will also address how to achieve respect, compliance and growth by servicing your customers (franchisees).
Sponsored by

Franchise Opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Booth 344
Presented by: Jose Torres, Partner, Buscatufranquicia

Learn which franchises offer the best business opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos in today’s market. What criteria makes them the right fit for Hispanics. What are the hottest categories for aspiring and existing Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by

Management and Support Requirements for New Franchisors
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 514
Presented by: Harold Kestenbaum, Counsel, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.

Once you have decided to franchise your business, do you have the infrastructure in place to carry this out? How do you manage the franchise strategy? How fast will you grow? What does it take to support the system? This and a lot of other questions will be answered during this lively session.
Sponsored by

You Can Use Your 401k/IRA to Start a Franchise!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 511A
Presented by: Jerry Darnell, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development, BeneTrends, Inc.

The session will discuss strategies to make your 401k/IRA funds available to start a franchise without tax or penalty!

5 Habits of the Highly Successful Franchisor
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Room 513
Presented by: Brian Schnell, Partner, Faegre and Benson and Bill Killion, Partner, Faegre & Benson

Most franchisors have implemented a number of best practices that make them successful. But what habits make a franchisor highly successful. Undying devotion to The Brand, knowing and balancing the interests of the franchisor, franchisee and franchise system as a whole, and empowering franchisees are just a few highlights that will help a franchisor take their system to the next level. This dynamic session will feature a robust discussion that will enable you to fully understand what you can do today that will make a difference tomorrow.
Sponsored by

Como Adquirir su Primera Franquicia
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Booth 344
Presented by: Julian Montero, Partner, Montero Wolkov LLP

En esta presentacion haremos una descripcion de los acuerdos que el "franchisor" le presentara. Ademas, analizaremos conceptos corporativos generales para estructurar su nuevo negocio como "franchisee."
Sponsored by

Considerations for Entering the US
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 514
Presented by: Adam Siegelheim, Attorney, Stark & Stark

Before entering the US, franchisors must analyze the prospective market, consider supply chain options and have the ability to provide operational support. Learn about these plus other important factors when investigating the opportunities available to international franchisors in the United States.
Sponsored by

SBA Resources
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 511A
Presented by: Ian Lorenzana, Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

Does finding financing for your business pose a problem? Learn how the SBA can help you fulfill your business goals and be successful. Find out where your local resource partners are and get the assistance you need; business assistance, financial management and contract assistance programs designed to assist small business owners, managers and entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration

Symposium 3: Operations Manuals -- The Foundation to Consistent Execution (separate fee required)
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 512
Presented by: Marla Rosner, Senior Training Consultant, Michael H. Seid & Associates

Documentation of your business’ processes and procedures is the foundation to consistent execution of your franchise concept. In this 3-hour Symposium, learn how to create a user-friendly Operations Manual as well as key content that should be included. Click here for more details.
Sponsored by         Accredited

How to Acquire Your First Franchise
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Booth 344
Presented by: Julian Montero, Partner, Montero Wolkov LLP

This presentation will outline the documents that you will receive from the franchisor and discuss key components of these documents. We will also outline general corporate principles for structuring your new business as a franchisee.
Sponsored by

Your Franchise Compliance Program: What you need to know
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 513
Presented by: Richard J. Morey, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP

Creating an in-house compliance and registration program can be difficult and confusing. This seminar will give you an overview of the crucial points you need to know to make them efficient and successful. Your questions will be answered in this seminar dealing with a critical issue for franchisors.
Sponsored by

Franchising – The Short Cut to Owning a Business
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 511A
Presented by: Jason W. Power, Esq., Principal, Shelton & Power, LLC

Prospective Franchisees will learn how to reduce the failure rates of startup businesses, and learn the standardized best practices available to them. Attendees will also learn how to get the most out of their business relationships, and how to be a more successful business owner through leveraging the brand.
Sponsored by

Oportunidades en Franquicias para Hispanos y Latinos
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Booth 344
Presented by: Jose Torres, Partner, Buscatufranquicia

Conozca cuales son las mejores franquicias y oportunidades de negocios para Hispanos y Latinos en estos momentos y qué criterios hacen que sean adecuadas para hispanos. Descubra cuales son las categorías con mayor atractivo para actuales y futuros emprendedores Hispanos.
Sponsored by

The Essentials of Online Marketing
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 514
Presented by: Kenneth Wisnefski, Founder/CEO, WebiMax

Learn in detail the benefits and opportunities online marketing provides. Topics include Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Pay Per Click Marketing, E-Commerce, and much, much more.
Sponsored by