A message from Rich Stroiney, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the AAFD

Up until two years ago, I owned three franchises, most recently one of the largest BNI franchises in the US, in which I was part of the Independent Association of BNI Franchisees Chapter of the AAFD.  

Today, I share my experiences regarding the benefits of the AAFD Franchisee Summit, from a franchisee perspective, based on the summits that I personally attended over the past few years. 

First and foremost, as franchisees, this summit gives us the ability to understand the legislative environment that affects our businesses.  While we know changes in legislation can take a long time, it cannot and will not happen unless we support a shared voice AS the franchisees.  Without the franchisee’s voice and support, our legislators, be it state or federal, will only hear the franchisor’s voice, which may not always be beneficial to us or the communities we serve.  

Of special note, we will have representatives of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) holding three sessions to speak with you, regarding their efforts… a great way to have your voice heard!  

An additional key benefit of attending in person is the ability to network with franchisees within your own franchise systems as well as franchise owners from other systems.  This connection gives us the ability to share best practices, learn which pitfalls to avoid and create connections that would not normally have happened.  The franchisees represented by the AAFD can bring tremendous value to each organization, and this is the best way to meet with them.  

You will also have access to the sponsors and vendors.  The summit gives us a chance to have real dialogue with vendors that provide special rates and benefits for the AAFD members, that you can leverage for your own business and employees.  

Lastly, in-person attendees have access to some of the country’s top franchise attorneys. An opportunity where you can get their insights with issues you are experiencing in your franchise operations.  If you have not yet registered, we urge you to do so immediately – our team is working hard to finalize the details of your summit.  If you have any questions regarding this Leadership Summit, which kicks off on September 10th in Mesa, ZA, please reach out to your chapter coordinator or register today using the link below.

REGISTER: Link to Summit Registration

HOTEL RESERVATION: Book your room