Just One More Week to the Leadership & Development Conference

Just One More Week to the Leadership & Development Conference

Just One More Week to the Leadership & Development Conference

There’s only one more week before the 2017 Franchise Leadership & Development Conference kicks off in Atlanta. This year’s featured speaker is larger-than-life NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, who needs no further introduction. The conference begins on Wednesday Oct. 11, and runs through Friday morning Oct. 13 at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel.

With panels and sessions designed by an Advisory Board of experienced franchise development executives, the annual event – now in its 19th year – continues to deliver quality content addressing the most pressing concerns of those involved in system growth at all levels – CEOs, presidents, CDOs, franchise sales and development VPs and directors, franchise sales managers, COOs, IT executives, and CMOs all have found value in attending.

Since its beginning, this conference has experienced tremendous growth, attracting franchise leaders seeking inspiration, education, and peer support on how to expand their brand. Today the “L&DC” has become a must-attend event for established franchisors that value staying on top of trends (and the competition), as well as for new and emerging brands seeking to learn at panels and sessions from more experienced franchise leaders and development pros.

This year’s theme is “Smart Growth” – long-term, sustainable growth, not just growth for growth’s sake. This year’s agenda addresses smart growth strategies that apply to multiple layers of the organization – from the sales process itself to how to reach and engage with prospects and determine if there’s a fit for them to become a serious candidate.

In addition, the survey-based Annual Franchise Development Report (AFDR) and Mystery Shop presentations dig deep into best practices in franchise sales and development, as well as where brands continue to fall short.

Networking

“I can’t emphasize the networking enough,” says this year’s Conference Chair Jeff Sturgis, Vice President of Development at Focus Brands. “I love the many opportunities to meet friends and colleagues and develop valuable new relationships this conference provides. You can network with more development executives here than at any other event I know.”

STAR Awards

Each year the best of the best in the annual Mystery Shopping survey are recognized at the STAR Awards (Speaking To And Responding) ceremony during the closing dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy, a short walk up the road from the InterContinental. (Admission is included in your registration.)

Exhibit Hall/Networking Area

Finally, there are solution providers for your most challenging and immediate needs. The Exhibit Hall is packed with new products and services from the best in the business — from franchise consultants to franchise attorneys, social media marketers to data analytics experts, public relations to human relations pros, system operations software to financial providers, and more. It’s a place where deals get made (or at least started!).

Who’s coming?

Take a peek at the list of the more than 175 franchise brands already registered. In addition, all brands that register early enough each year have the option to participate in the AFDR and benchmark their own sales and development practices against those of their peers.

Who’s exhibiting?

The L&DC also includes a jam-packed Exhibit Hall where you can find solutions to your most pressing needs – ranging from financial, legal, and technological to hiring, social media marketing, site selection, and more. Check out the list of sponsors and exhibitors.

Still uncertain?

Watch this short video of successful franchise development executives tell why they attend the conference. “For industry professionals, this is the one conference you have to go to,” says Greg Vojnovic, CDO at Arby’s Restaurant Group.

How to register

There’s still time to register and hotel rooms in the Buckhead area are still plentiful.

Published: October 2nd, 2017

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