Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., will be speaking at the 2015 International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 30, to get attendees excited and ready for a day of meeting with elected officials on Capitol Hill.
“Not everyone understands the franchise business model and how legislative and regulatory decisions can greatly impact small franchised businesses,” said Monson. “It is critical for all of us in the franchising industry to proactively develop relationships with our Congressional Representatives and Senators in order to preserve and protect the future of our businesses.”
Monson and a group of FASTSIGNS® franchisees from around the country will be joining the IFA and hundreds of franchise brands and their franchisees during the two-day event. The Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting will take place September 29-30 at the JW Marriot in Washington, D.C. Held every September, this meeting gives franchisees the opportunity to meet with representatives in Congress, forge relationships with elected officials and discuss regulations that affect their businesses.
Clint Ehlers, who owns two FASTSIGNS centers in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, testified before the congressional U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions last fall on the consequences of the expected National Labor Relations Board’s Joint Employer decision.
He explained, “It is incredible to have a voice in front of our elected officials. ‘For the people, by the people’ still stands and it is important for us to remind them of that. Many of them are not aware of how these decisions directly impact the future and value of our businesses. We have to include our voices in the conversation to protect our independent, local businesses.”
The IFA launched the Franchise Action Network (FAN) to bring local franchisees from hundreds of franchise brands together as one voice. It is a grassroots network of franchisees, franchisors and suppliers who want to engage elected officials on legislative and regulatory issues that affect the franchise industry. The goal is to educate policymakers on the benefits of independent, locally-owned franchises that create jobs and provide tremendous value to local communities. According to the IFA, the 780,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. support more than 8 million direct jobs, $890 billion in economic output and three percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
For more information about FASTSIGNS International, Inc., call 800/FASTSIGNS or visit www.fastsigns.com.
