Franchise conferences compress twelve months of relationship-building, competitive intelligence, and industry perspective into a few days. For a franchisor running FranDev alongside a growing unit network, the ROI on the right conference isn’t just the sessions, it’s the conversations that happen between them: the conversation with a broker who sends candidates your way for the next three years, the supplier that solves a problem you didn’t know you had, the fellow franchisor who’s already solved the problem you’re wrestling with right now.
This guide is updated for 2026 and 2027. Events are organized by audience (franchisors, multi-unit operators, franchise consultants, marketing leaders, and emerging brands), and the Canadian franchise event calendar has its own section. Events that have already occurred in 2026 are noted as concluded but kept on the calendar for reference in 2027 planning.
🔄 Last updated: May 26, 2026. IFA, MUFC, and the spring Canadian shows have concluded for 2026. Upcoming 2026 events and confirmed 2027 dates are noted below.
2026–2027 Franchise Event Calendar — Quick Reference
| Event | Dates | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFA Annual Convention | Feb 23–25, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV | 2026 — Passed |
| Franchise Canada Show — Toronto | Feb 7–8, 2026 | Toronto, ON | 2026 — Passed |
| UnConference | Mar 17–19, 2026 | TBA | 2026 — Passed |
| MUFC (Multi-Unit Franchise Conference) | Mar 24–27, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV | 2026 — Passed |
| National Franchise Show — Ottawa | Feb 28–Mar 1, 2026 | Ottawa, ON | 2026 — Passed |
| National Franchise Show — Vancouver | Mar 28–29, 2026 | Vancouver, BC | 2026 — Passed |
| National Franchise Show — Montreal | Apr 11–12, 2026 | Montreal, QC | 2026 — Passed |
| BAI “Full Steam Ahead” Conference | Jun 1–4, 2026 | Salt Lake City, UT | 2026 — Passed |
| International Franchise Expo (IFE) | May 29–30, 2026 | Javits Center, New York, NY | 2026 — Passed |
| Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference (FGMC) | Jun 2–4, 2026 | Atlanta, GA | 2026 — Passed |
| Service Franchise Summit | Jun 24–26, 2026 | Sundance, UT | 2026 — Passed ⭐ Hosted by ClientTether |
| IFA Advocacy Summit | Sep 14–16, 2026 | Washington, DC | UPCOMING |
| IFA World Franchise Show | Sep 25–26, 2026 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | UPCOMING |
| IFPG Retreat | Sep 28–30, 2026 | TBA | UPCOMING |
| FLDC (Franchise Leadership & Development Conference) | Oct 6–8, 2026 | TBA | UPCOMING |
| Springboard | Oct 15–17, 2026 | TBA | UPCOMING |
| FBR Summit | Oct 28–30, 2026 | TBA | UPCOMING |
| Franchise Expo West | Nov 13–14, 2026 | Glendale, CA (Greater Los Angeles) | UPCOMING |
| IFA Emerging Franchisor Conference | Nov 16–18, 2026 | Nashville, TN | UPCOMING |
| IFA Annual Convention 2027 | Feb 22–24, 2027 | Las Vegas, NV | 2027 — Save the Date |
| FGMC 2027 | Jun 15–17, 2027 | TBA | 2027 — Save the Date |
2026 Events — Concluded (Reference for 2027 Planning)
These events are done for 2026. They’re included here because their formats, audiences, and value are consistent year to year — start booking early for 2027 editions.
IFA Annual Convention [2026 — CONCLUDED]
📅 February 23–25, 2026 📍 Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Best for: Franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, FranDev teams
The largest and most established event in franchising. The 66th annual IFA convention drew thousands of franchise leaders under the theme “Evolve” — six learning paths, an AI + Technology Lab, and networking that spans the full franchise ecosystem from emerging brands to enterprise operators. ClientTether sponsored FranJam 2026 and hosted a karaoke night at Dino’s Lounge on February 23. The 2027 convention is already confirmed.
Website: www.franchise.org/events/2026-ifa-annual-convention/
→ ClientTether article: IFA 2026: What to Expect and How to Win
Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC) [2026 — CONCLUDED]
📅 March 24–27, 2026 📍 Caesars Forum Conference Center, Las Vegas, NV
Best for: Multi-unit operators, area developers, franchisors targeting multi-unit growth
The largest multi-unit franchise conference globally. Built by multi-unit franchisees for multi-unit franchisees — the programming agenda is set by an advisory board of operators, not conference producers. More than 2,600 attendees have participated in recent years, with a strong restaurant-industry presence but valuable content for any brand pursuing multi-unit growth. Expect peer networking, keynote sessions, and a large exhibitor floor.
Website: www.multiunitfranchisingconference.com
→ ClientTether article: MUFC 2026: What to Expect
Franchise UnConference [2026 — CONCLUDED]
📅 March 17–19, 2026
Best for: Franchise executives, FranDev leaders, brand presidents looking for peer-driven strategy sessions
The UnConference is built on a simple premise: the people in the room are the agenda. No pre-set speaker lineup. No broadcast presentations. Franchise leaders self-organize sessions around the problems they’re actually trying to solve — FranDev conversion, franchisee performance, technology adoption, marketing ROI — and the conversations go where they need to go. If you’re tired of sitting through keynotes that don’t map to your real challenges, this format is a different kind of investment. ClientTether attends.
Website: franchiseunconference.com
National Franchise Shows — Spring Canada Circuit [CANADA]
📅 Feb–Apr 2026 📍 Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal
Best for: Prospective franchisees, emerging franchisors expanding into Canada
The National Franchise Show circuit ran three Canadian stops in spring 2026: Ottawa (Feb 28–Mar 1, Ernst & Young Centre), Vancouver (Mar 28–29, Vancouver Convention Center), and Montreal (Apr 11–12, Palais des Congrès). These are buyer-focused expos connecting prospective franchisees with brands seeking Canadian expansion. Ideal for franchisors running Canadian FranDev programs.
Website: www.franchiseshowinfo.com
Franchise Canada Show — Toronto [CANADA]
📅 February 7–8, 2026 📍 The International Centre, Hall 4, Toronto, ON
Best for: Franchisors targeting Canadian growth, prospective Canadian franchisees
The official tradeshow of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). Admission is free and the event features more than 165 brands and exhibitors, plus educational seminars covering legal requirements, financing options, and government programs available to Canadian franchise owners. The Franchise Canada Show remains the most prominent franchise-focused consumer expo in Canada. A fall Toronto edition typically runs each September.
Website: www.canadafranchiseshow.com
BAI “Full Steam Ahead” Conference [2026 — Passed]
📅 June 1–4, 2026 📍 Asher Adams Historic Hotel, Salt Lake City, UT
Best for: Franchisors, franchise development teams, supplier partners in the Business Alliance Inc. network
The 2026 BAI Conference ran under the theme “Full Steam Ahead” and featured breakout sessions, keynote speakers, curated networking lounges, and evening social events at the historic Asher Adams Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. Business Alliance Inc. has developed a strong reputation for connector-style conferences that move at a relationship pace rather than a traditional trade-show pace. If your franchise development pipeline runs through the BAI ecosystem, this event remains one of the highest-value touchpoints in that network. ClientTether attends this event annually.
Website: businessallianceinc.com
2026 Upcoming Franchise Events
International Franchise Expo (IFE) [2026 — Passed]
📅 May 29–30, 2026 📍 Javits Center, New York, NY
Best for: Franchisors, prospective franchisees, franchise consultants
One of the largest franchise expos in the country and the most prominent on the East Coast. The International Franchise Expo attracts more than 400 franchise brands alongside educational programming for prospective franchisees. For franchisors, it’s a high-visibility platform for franchise development lead generation from serious, motivated buyer candidates. When attending, keep your booth staff focused on qualification — volume is high, but fit varies.
Website: www.ifeinfo.com
Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference (FGMC) [2026 — Passed]
📅 June 2–4, 2026 📍 InterContinental Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
Best for: Franchise CMOs, marketing directors, brand presidents, MarTech and CRM leaders
FGMC is the rebrand of the former Franchise Customer Experience Conference (FCXC), with a sharper mandate: turning brand marketing strategy into unit-level revenue. Sessions focus on unit-level economics, marketing spend efficiency, AI adoption, and MarTech stack ROI. If your marketing team struggles to translate corporate strategy into franchisee buy-in and unit-level performance, this is one of the most operationally focused marketing conferences in franchising.
Website: www.franchisegrowthmarketingconference.com
→ ClientTether article: FGMC 2026: What to Expect and How to Win
Service Franchise Summit ⭐ Hosted by ClientTether [2026 — Passed]
📅 June 24–26, 2026 📍 Sundance Resort, Utah (near Salt Lake City)
Best for: Franchise executives in home services, health, fitness, pet, education, and other service-based industries — CEOs, CMOs, COOs, and operations leaders
ClientTether hosts the Service Franchise Summit — a high-impact event for franchise executives running service brands. No trade-show floor. No broadcast keynotes to a thousand-person ballroom. The format is built around mastermind sessions, brand challenges, and peer collaboration from operators who are working through the same growth problems in real time.
The 2026 summit runs June 24–26 at Sundance Resort in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, with a format that blends strategic work sessions with outdoor experiences — ATV rides, ziplining, mountain biking, and horseback riding alongside the sessions. Early bird registration is open; seats are intentionally limited to keep the event high-impact.
If you’re running a service franchise brand and want focused strategy time with executives who understand your operating environment, this is the event we built for you.
Website: servicefranchisesummit.com
IFA Advocacy Summit [UPCOMING]
📅 September 14–16, 2026 📍 Washington, D.C.
Best for: Franchise executives, government affairs leaders, franchisor leadership teams
The IFA Advocacy Summit brings franchise industry leaders to Washington to engage directly with policymakers on legislation affecting franchising, including employment law, tax policy, minimum wage requirements, joint-employer standards, and other regulatory issues. For franchisors operating across multiple states or managing significant headcount, staying current on the regulatory landscape — and contributing to it — makes this event especially valuable.
Website: www.franchise.org/events
IFA World Franchise Show [UPCOMING]
📅 September 25–26, 2026 📍 Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Best for: Prospective franchisees, international franchise candidates, franchisors with global expansion goals
The only IFA franchise exhibition in the United States, featuring more than 300 franchise brands across food, education, fitness, health, pet care, personal services, and many other categories. International pavilions showcase global franchise opportunities alongside U.S. concepts, making the event valuable for brands evaluating international markets and for organizations seeking qualified franchise development leads.
Website: ifafranchiseshow.com
IFPG Retreat [UPCOMING]
📅 September 28–30, 2026 📍 Location TBA
Best for: Franchisors, franchise consultants, suppliers in the broker and consultant channel
The IFPG Retreat is the flagship annual event of the International Franchise Professionals Group and is consistently recognized as one of the strongest networking events for franchise consultants and brokers. The format emphasizes relationship-building through structured speed networking sessions, mastermind groups, social events, and power pitches where franchisors present directly to IFPG consultants. If your franchise development pipeline depends on brokers and consultants, this event offers one of the highest concentrations of relationship-building opportunities available.
Website: ifpgretreat.com
Franchise Leadership & Development Conference (FLDC) [UPCOMING]
📅 October 6–8, 2026 📍 Location TBA
Best for: Franchise development executives, FranDev VPs, franchise sales and recruitment teams
FLDC is the International Franchise Association’s dedicated conference for franchise development professionals responsible for candidate sourcing, qualification, pipeline management, and franchise sales performance. Sessions focus on franchise development processes, candidate experience, technology adoption, recruitment benchmarking, and operational best practices. If your franchise sales team is looking for highly focused professional development and peer benchmarking opportunities, FLDC is one of the most specialized events available. ClientTether attends this event annually.
Website: www.franchise.org/franchise-leadership-development-conference
Springboard [UPCOMING]
📅 October 15–17, 2026 📍 Location TBA
Best for: Emerging franchisors, franchise executives focused on growth strategy and brand building
Springboard is built around the growth challenges that don’t get covered deeply enough at the larger IFA events: brand positioning, franchisee recruitment strategy, culture and values alignment, and scaling systems before the infrastructure cracks. The format skews toward peer exchange and working sessions over broadcast content. A strong complement to the IFA Emerging Franchisor Conference for brands that want more applied strategy and less general programming. ClientTether attends.
Website: franchisespringboard.com
FBR Summit [UPCOMING]
📅 October 28–30, 2026 📍 Location TBA
Best for: Franchisors focused on franchisee satisfaction, system performance, and overall brand health
The FBR Summit is produced by Franchise Business Review, which runs the most widely referenced franchisee satisfaction research in the industry. The event brings together franchise leadership teams to engage directly with franchisee satisfaction data, performance benchmarking, and the operational strategies behind high-satisfaction systems. If your brand tracks FBR scores or uses franchisee satisfaction as a growth lever, this is a high-value annual touchpoint. ClientTether attends.
Website: Franchise Business Review Summit
IFA Emerging Franchisor Conference [UPCOMING]
📅 November 16–18, 2026 📍 Nashville, TN
Best for: Franchise systems with fewer than 100 units or less than five years old
The IFA’s event designed specifically for emerging and re-emerging franchise brands. Three days of keynotes, breakout sessions, and peer networking focused on the challenges that are genuinely specific to early-stage franchise systems: FranDev lead generation, franchisee qualification, FDD compliance, operations consistency at scale, and building a support infrastructure that doesn’t crack under unit growth. If you’re under 50 units, this is more useful than the IFA Annual Convention for tactical insights. ClientTether attends.
Franchise Expo West [UPCOMING]
📅 November 13–14, 2026 📍 Glendale, CA (Greater Los Angeles)
Best for: Franchisors targeting Western U.S. expansion, prospective West Coast franchisees
Franchise Expo West is one of the largest franchise exhibitions on the West Coast, featuring more than 150 franchise brands along with educational workshops and networking opportunities. It is particularly valuable for organizations with active franchise development initiatives in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Pacific Northwest markets.
Website: franchiseexpowest.com
IFA Emerging Franchisor Conference [UPCOMING]
📅 November 16–18, 2026 📍 Nashville, TN
Best for: Franchise systems with fewer than 100 units or less than 5 years old
The IFA’s event designed specifically for emerging and re-emerging franchise brands. Three days of keynotes, breakout sessions, and peer networking focused on the challenges that are genuinely specific to early-stage franchise systems: FranDev lead generation, franchisee qualification, FDD compliance, operations consistency at scale, and building a support infrastructure that doesn’t crack under unit growth. If you’re under 50 units, this is more useful than the IFA Annual Convention for tactical insights.
Canadian Franchise Events
ClientTether serves franchise systems across both the United States and Canada. For franchisors with Canadian franchisees or active Canadian franchise development programs, the following events represent some of the most important touchpoints in the Canadian franchise market.
Canadian Franchise Association (CFA)
The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) serves as Canada’s primary franchise industry organization and is widely considered the Canadian equivalent of the International Franchise Association (IFA) in the United States. The Franchise Canada Show (FCS) is the CFA’s official consumer franchise expo. For franchisors building Canadian networks, CFA membership and participation in Franchise Canada events are often among the most effective entry points into the Canadian franchise community.
Website: cfa.ca
Franchise Canada Show: canadafranchiseshow.com
Key Recurring Canadian Franchise Events
- Franchise Canada Show — Toronto (February)
Official CFA tradeshow featuring more than 165 brands, educational seminars, financing guidance, legal insights, and franchise ownership resources. Hosted at The International Centre in Toronto. - The Franchise Show — Toronto (Typically September)
One of Canada’s largest consumer franchise expos. Features more than 165 brands and educational programming focused on financing, government programs, and franchise ownership opportunities. - National Franchise Show — Ottawa (February/March)
Hosted at the Ernst & Young Centre. A consumer-focused event with strong value for franchisors targeting Ottawa and Eastern Ontario markets. - National Franchise Show — Vancouver (March/April)
Hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre and provides strong exposure throughout British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest region. - National Franchise Show — Montreal (April)
Held at Palais des Congrès. Particularly valuable for brands operating in or expanding into French-speaking Canadian markets.
Before booking travel, always verify the latest event dates directly through CFA and National Franchise Show websites, as schedules may vary from year to year.
2027 — Events Already Confirmed
Two major events have already confirmed their 2027 dates. Add them to your planning calendar now.
IFA Annual Convention 2027 [2027 — SAVE THE DATE]
📅 February 22–24, 2027 📍 Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Best for: Franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, franchise development teams
The 67th annual IFA Convention will return to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. IFA conventions consistently attract the broadest cross-section of the franchise industry, bringing together franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, consultants, and technology partners in one location. The Mandalay Bay venue continues to support the networking-focused format that makes this event one of the most valuable annual gatherings in franchising. Attendees are encouraged to book travel and accommodations early, as Las Vegas hotel inventory fills quickly during convention week.
Website: www.franchise.org/events
Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference (FGMC) 2027 [2027 — SAVE THE DATE]
📅 June 15–17, 2027 📍 Location TBA
Best for: Franchise CMOs, marketing directors, brand presidents, and marketing leadership teams
FGMC 2027 has already confirmed its dates and will take place June 15–17, 2027. The host city and venue have not yet been announced. Following the success of the 2026 conference in Atlanta, franchise marketers and brand leaders should monitor event announcements early in 2027 for location details and registration opportunities.
Getting the Most Out of Franchise Conferences
Most franchisors leave conferences having met a lot of people but changing very little about how their organizations actually operate. The most successful attendees arrive with a specific objective, not simply a goal of being present.
Before attending your next franchise conference, consider these three best practices:
- Define one key decision.
Determine the single most important business question you want answered during the event. Whether it involves broker relationships, vendor selection, franchise recruitment strategy, or competitive intelligence, one clear answer is often more valuable than dozens of unfocused conversations. - Schedule meetings before arriving.
Most conferences provide attendee directories, networking applications, or exhibitor lists before the event begins. The highest-value conversations are usually planned in advance rather than left to chance on the exhibit floor. - Create a follow-up system.
Conference ROI depends on what happens after the event. Leads, contacts, and opportunities should be captured immediately and entered into a system that supports automated follow-up. Business cards that sit untouched for a week rarely generate meaningful results.
ClientTether’s automated lead capture and sales automation are built for exactly this: capturing conference connections and converting them into active relationships without requiring manual follow-up from your team.
Meet ClientTether at Franchise Events
ClientTether — franchise CRM software built for FranDev teams and unit operators — attends IFA, UnConference, MUFC, BAI, FGMC, Service Franchise Summit, IFA Advocacy Summit, IFPG Retreat, FLDC, Springboard, FBR Summit, and IFA Emerging Franchisor Conference each year. We also host the Service Franchise Summit — if you’re running a service-based franchise brand and want to get into the room, that’s the one we built.
If you’re attending any upcoming event and want to connect, reach out ahead of time to schedule time with the team. It’s easier to have a real conversation before the exhibit floor gets loud.
Book a demo or contact the sales team to schedule time around a specific conference.
