Membership Handbook - International Franchise Association

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How can you help me grow my system? One of the major benefits of membership in IFA is being listed on one of the premier web portals for franchising. Franchise.org is a great lead generation tool. Additionally we have web portals and franchise brokers as members of our Supplier Forum. For details on franchise.org select http://www.franchise.org/advertising.aspx or contact our Advertising Department (202) 628-8000. For details on the other web portals and franchise brokers select http://www.franchise.org/searchsupplier.aspx and search under internet sites and franchise brokers. Can I have a list of your members? We do allow a one time use per year of our mailing list of our franchisor members to Supplier Members. For more Information please contact IFA Membership Department (202) 628-8000 or membership@franchise.org. We’d like to exhibit at your convention. One of the best events in franchising all year is the IFA annual convention. Members can exhibit at the discounted member rate. For details go to page 16, select www.franchise.org/convention.aspx or contact our Meetings and Conventions Department (202) 628-8000. How should I start my International Expansion Program? The international expansion for a franchise company can be a very promising, yet challenging task. It is important that you determine as a company if you are prepared to expand internationally and create a strategic plan to what countries you are likely to have success in. You should consult with international franchise consultants and lawyers, and seek the advice of the US Department of Commerce office through one of their Export Assistance Centers. The IFA can provide you with a list of these, as well as helping you learn the different options for international promotion, such as trade missions, IFA pavilions at international expos, or the International Franchise Expo (IFE) in the US. For details go to page 15, select http://www.franchise.org/International-Calendar.aspx or contact our International Department (202) 628-8000. 10 INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP HANDBOOK What international resources can I access through the IFA? On the IFA website you will be able to get an updated list of the franchise associations around the world the IFA works with, as well as a calendar of international events. The IFA research center, available exclusively to IFA members, can provide you with secondary research on international topics as well as country profiles. For details go to page 15, select http://www.franchise.org/International-Calendar.aspx, http://www.franchise.org/intlresources.aspx, and http://www.franchise.org/Country-Profiles.aspx or contact our International Department (202) 628- 8000. I’d like to purchase a franchise but need a loan, can you help? We have many Supplier Members who provide financial services to potential franchisees. Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides assistance. For more information please contact our Membership Department (202) 628-8000 or http://www.franchise.org/searchsupplier.aspx and search Financial Services or for the SBA http://www.franchiseregistry.com/Registry/ I’d like to create a diversity program within my company. We have many resources to assist a franchisor who wants to develop a diversity program through IFA’s Diversity Institute. For details go to page 22, select http://www.franchise.org/diversity.aspx or contact our Diversity Institute (202) 628-8000. Do franchisors offer special incentives to minorities? IFA member companies who participate in Minority- Fran offer their franchise at a discounted rate to qualified individuals. For details go to page 22, select http://www.franchise.org/diversity.aspx or contact our contact the IFA at (202) 628-8000. Are there special programs for veterans? The IFA’s VetFran program was developed to provide qualified veterans with the opportnuigy to invest in a franchise at a discounted rate. For details go to page 12, select http://www.franchise.org/vetfran.aspx or contact our contact the IFA at (202) 628-8000.
Government Relations The mission of IFA’s Government Relations Department is to preserve and enhance the legislative and regulatory climate for the growth of franchising worldwide by providing services and representation that only IFA can offer. The department monitors legislative and regulatory activity, conducts lobbying and grassroots campaigns, participates in national and local coalitions, creates forums and educational tools for experts in the franchising community, and promotes positive relations between franchisors, franchisees, and elected and appointed government officials and employees. FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP LEGISLATION Proposals to enact additional regulations of the franchise relationship have been introduced several times in Congress since 1990 and in state legislatures throughout the country. IFA pursues a highly active educational campaign with members of the Congress and state legislators to heighten awareness of the negative economic consequences of franchise relationship legislation. IFA staff continually educates federal and state lawmakers, especially those serving on the committees of jurisdiction for franchise relationship legislation. REGULATORY ACTIVITY IFA has long been active in regulatory affairs, both with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the federal agency with authority for enforcing federal franchise disclosure regulations, and with the North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”), the organization representing state franchise regulators. IFA participates in the process to revise and improve the FTC’s Trade Regulation Rule on Franchising, which requires franchisors to provide to each prospective franchise investor, prior to the sale of the franchise, comprehensive information about the franchise system and the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the franchisor and the franchisee as part of the franchise investment. IFA also works closely with state regulators, dating back to the creation of the first regulations for the “Uniform Franchise Offering Circular” (“UFOC”) in the 1970’s. IFA is also active in public policy activities that affect franchising at the international level, and works in close cooperation with members of other national franchise associations. SMALL BUSINESS ISSUES IFA lobbies, monitors and actively participates in coalitions with other national trade associations on small business issues that have a potentially disproportionate affect on the franchise community. Issues for which IFA lobbies include tax and regulatory reform, legal reform, small business health plans and minimum wage legislation. POLITICAL EDUCATION AND GRASSROOTS IFA continues to increase the association’s presence on Capitol Hill. IFA holds its annual “Franchise Appreciation Day” each fall. Franchise Appreciation Day gives IFA members a unique opportunity to learn about the legislative process, educate their elected officials on the important role franchising plays back home in the district and the global economy, and how it directly impacts the public policy making process. POLITICAL ACTIVISM & FRANPAC - FRANCHISING’S POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE One more way IFA can be an effective public policy advocate for franchising is through a strong and vibrant political program. FranPAC creates an opportunity for IFA members to provide financial support to candidates for federal office, and a robust PAC means more contributions to candidates who understand franchising and who will promote a legislative and regulatory climate favorable to franchising. Contact Information: Government Relations (202) 628-8000 http://www.franchise.org/government.aspx INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP HANDBOOK 11
Page 1 and 2: Membership Handbook Maximizing Your
Page 3 and 4: Membership Handbook Maximizing Your
Page 5 and 6: Dear Member: Thank you for your mem
Page 7 and 8: IFA’s Mission Statement The Inter
Page 9 and 10: IFA Staff Contact List NAME TITLE D
Page 11: ? How do I get involved with an IFA
Page 15 and 16: Membership Services IFA’s Systemw
Page 17 and 18: International Development The Inter
Page 19 and 20: FRANCHISE BUSINESS NETWORK Over 30
Page 21 and 22: IFA Board, Forums, Committees & Tas
Page 23 and 24: AWARDS Purpose of Awards Program Th
Page 25 and 26: IFA Diversity Institute The IFA Div
Page 27: 1501 K Street, NW • Suite 350 •

Membership Handbook - International Franchise Association

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