The Top Franchise Events You Should Attend in 2024

Whether you are a franchisor looking for new best practices, technology, and peer-to-peer networking, a franchise owner looking for new opportunities, or a franchise supplier looking for new prospective clients, franchise industry events are an invaluable resource to help.

In addition to gaining valuable insights, making new connections, and staying ahead of the competition, attending the right franchise events can help you take the next steps needed to grow your business, whether you’re an experienced franchisor or an emerging franchise system.

Here are some of the best franchise industry events of 2024 and why we love them.

International Franchise Association Annual Convention

February 17 – 20, 2024 | Phoenix, Arizona

The 2024 International Franchise Association Annual Convention is rapidly approaching, uniting franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers on a global scale. As one of the largest gatherings in the franchising realm, this event is a crucial forum for professionals to delve into industry trends, best practices, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Attendees gain insights into business development, personal growth, and unique networking scenarios, making it an indispensable experience for franchising professionals. Collaboration emerges as the linchpin of success in this dynamic industry, and the convention provides a pivotal platform for professionals to share expertise, foster connections, and collectively enhance the franchise landscape.

ClientTether is thrilled to be an integral part of this transformative event, actively participating in roundtables, sessions, and exhibits. Visit us at Booth #336, where we look forward to meeting you and learning more about your role in the franchise industry. Join the excitement as we host thrilling giveaways, including our famous money gun, offering everyone a chance to grab some cash.

Alongside the festivities, ClientTether will be conducting live demonstrations of our cutting-edge CRM software. Experience firsthand how our innovative solutions can transform and elevate your business. The 2024 IFA Convention is more than just a gathering; it’s a dynamic platform where franchising professionals converge to explore business development ideas, personal growth strategies, unique networking opportunities, and engaging activities. Don’t miss the chance to engage with us at Booth #336, as we share insights, make lasting connections, and showcase the future of franchising.

Emerging Franchisor Conference

November 18 – 20, 2024 | JW Marriott Downtown, Austin, Texas

The Emerging Franchisor Expo, organized by the International Franchise Association (IFA), is a premier event for emerging franchisors looking to grow and expand their businesses. It will feature a range of educational sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to help franchisors succeed. Attendees will have the chance to learn from industry experts and successful franchise leaders.

The expo is expected to attract hundreds of attendees from across the country. This makes it an ideal opportunity for emerging franchisors to network and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in the franchise industry.

International Franchise Expo

May 30th – June 1st 2024 | New York City, NY

The International Franchise Expo (IFE) reigns as the largest U.S. franchise show, resonating with global influence. Entrepreneurs hailing from all 50 states and 120 countries converge at the IFE for a face-to-face experience with 300+ exhibiting franchise brands and industry experts. Offering a spectrum of franchises across diverse investment levels, the event provides a comprehensive platform for learning the intricacies of successful ownership through networking and educational seminars.

Taking place from May 30th to June 1st, 2024, in New York City, the IFE is produced in exclusive partnership with the International Franchise Association and the Department of Commerce, setting unparalleled global franchising standards. Our successful connections have guided thousands of entrepreneurs to their ideal franchises. Secure your spot now and register for the IFE to unlock opportunities, network with industry leaders, and find your perfect match amidst the myriad of franchise possibilities available under one roof. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative expo where franchising excellence meets entrepreneurial aspirations.

Franchise Expo South

September 6-7, 2024 | Fort Lauderdale, FL

Similar to IFE, this event is the premier franchise event in the southern United States. This annual event is held in Houston, Texas Fort Lauderdale, FL, and features hundreds of exhibitors and educational sessions to provide attendees with information about franchising and franchise opportunities. Franchise Expo South features top franchise brands, workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches by industry experts.

Franchise Expo South boasts a distinctive feature: the Franchise Seminar Series. This is a collection of educational sessions aimed at providing attendees with insights into diverse franchising topics, including financing, legalities, and marketing. The series includes special sessions tailored for military veterans and women in franchising. Beyond the educational sessions, Franchise Expo South also provides ample networking opportunities, enabling participants to engage with franchisors and other professionals in the industry.

FCXC (Franchise Customer Experience Conference)

June 18-20, 2024 | InterContinental Buckhead, Atlanta

The Franchise Customer Experience Conference (FCXC) stands out as a dynamic event tailored to the distinctive needs of franchisors, addressing the diverse customer base of consumers, franchisees, and employees. This impactful gathering unites operations, marketing, and technology leaders, alongside CEOs and Presidents driving exceptional customer experiences. FCXC delivers compelling content and features top-tier speakers to foster alignment across functions.

Attendees can engage in focused learning tracks, honing skills and networking with fellow franchising leaders in similar roles. This exclusive, once-a-year event is a must for suppliers seeking to fortify or establish relationships with Franchisor leaders focused on growth through customer experience. Open exclusively to franchisor attendees and supplier sponsors, visit www.francxc.com to seize this opportunity.

Springboard Conference

September 18-20, 2024 | Loews Hotel Philadelphia, PA

The Springboard Conference is the top franchising event for emerging and growing franchisors. This is an annual event that helps entrepreneurs and startup companies grow and scale their businesses by participating in workshops, round tables, and networking sessions led by experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

Springboard covers a range of topics focused on helping emerging franchise systems grow, including business strategy, franchise marketing, fundraising, franchise development, and leadership development. It’s a valuable platform for learning and growth and provides opportunities for attendees to connect with other franchisors, suppliers, industry consultants, and investors.

FBR Franchise Summit

October 22-24, 2024 | Denver, CO

While the industry talks a lot about being focused on franchisee success, the FBR Summit takes that talking point and turns it into a multi-day event focused on the operational aspects of a franchise system. If you are a franchise operations leader, franchise business coach, or part of a systems field staff or HR department, this is the event you should plan to attend. This isn’t your same-old panel-style conference.

The Summit is all about working through your biggest challenges and getting hands-on, practical takeaways you won’t get anywhere else. Get ready to dig in, get down to nuts and bolts, and start making an immediate impact on franchisees’ long-term success. Topics that will be covered at this truly unique event include Operational Excellence, Franchisee Onboarding, Change Management, Marketing & Technology Execution, Supporting Multi-Unit Owners, Flexible Workforce Management, Leading a Culture-First Organization, and How to create an environment to complete successful field visits.

Multi-Unit Franchise Conference

March 19 – 22, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV

The Multi-Unit Franchise Conference is an indispensable event for multi-unit franchise owners and operators, held annually in Las Vegas. This gathering brings together the most accomplished and seasoned franchisees in the industry. Attendees are in for a treat as they learn from industry leaders, engage in educational sessions and roundtables, and connect with fellow multi-unit franchise owners. Besides networking, the conference also presents an opportunity to discover upcoming franchise concepts and service providers.

Learning from other successful franchise owners is one of the key benefits of the Multi-Unit Franchise Conference. There are also roundtable discussions where attendees can share their experiences and best practices in addition to the standard educational sessions. There are several special events at the conference, including a Multi-Unit Franchise Awards Dinner and a Franchisee Shark Tank competition.

Franchise Leadership & Development Conference

October 16 – 18, 2024 | InterContinental Buckhead Hotel, Atlanta GA

The Franchise Leadership & Development Conference is an exclusive event designed for CEOs, Presidents, and Franchise Sales and Development Executives, hosted annually in Atlanta. This conference presents attendees with the opportunity to delve into the latest tactics and approaches for identifying and nurturing successful franchisees.

Apart from enriching educational sessions and panel discussions, the conference also features networking events, enabling franchise development professionals to connect with their peers. The conference provides opportunities to meet and engage with other industry experts in the field.

The Franchise Leadership & Development Conference provides attendees with the unique advantage of learning from industry experts and accomplished franchise developers. The conference encompasses a wide spectrum of educational sessions, including but not limited to topics such as lead generation, candidate selection, and franchisee onboarding. Attendees can also participate in roundtable discussions and network with other franchise development professionals.

National Restaurant Association Show

May 18-21, 2024 | McCormick Place in Chicago, IL

The National Restaurant Association Show is a prominent event in the restaurant industry, although it does not focus solely on franchising. Held annually in Chicago, this show attracts a lot of franchise businesses, with thousands of exhibitors showcasing the latest trends and innovations in the restaurant industry. Besides the standard exhibits, the National Restaurant Association Show features educational sessions and special events, such as the Foodservice Pitch Tank competition.

One of the advantages of attending the National Restaurant Association Show is gaining insights into emerging trends and innovations in the restaurant industry. This is particularly valuable for franchise businesses seeking to distinguish themselves from the competition and stay ahead of the curve. The show also presents opportunities for networking with other restaurant industry professionals and exploring new partnership possibilities.

Uncover New Opportunities at Franchise Events

Participating in franchise events is an excellent way to remain informed about the latest trends, strategies, and advancements in the industry. From large-scale expos to specialized conferences, franchisors and franchise professionals can build their networks and learn how to tackle the challenges they face today. Attending these events can provide valuable insights, facilitate new connections, and uncover new opportunities to take your franchise system to the next level.

Be on the lookout for these and other top franchise events in 2024. Mark your calendars. We hope this article helped you discover some of the best franchise events to attend in this year. These events will elevate your franchise system. Keep in mind that attending these events is an investment in your franchise’s success, so make the most of them.