FASTSIGNS® CEO to Speak at IFA Seminar, Assist Franchise Development Revitalization Efforts

(CARROLLTON, Texas) Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., will speak at the International Franchise Association (IFA) Franchise Development Seminar taking place Wednesday, April 28, at the Renaissance Dallas in Dallas, Texas.

This one-day program, IFA's first Franchise Development Seminar of the year, will focus on providing tools and strategies to franchise development professionals from established, mature franchise organizations who are looking for innovative ways to build their franchise systems and expand their brand presence in today's marketplace.

"In the four years following our last recession (2001 - 2005), franchising grew four times faster than the overall economy. This is because economic downturns can lead to a surge in the unemployed population, motivating those laid off to start their own businesses," explained Monson. "Unfortunately, the economic decline we are currently experiencing is historic in its severity and the road blocks it has created for access to financing make it much more difficult for those interested in franchising. These are just some of the important issues that our industry is facing that we will discuss during the seminar in an effort to further educate one another and work towards solutions in 2010."

Also scheduled for that day are the IFA's first 2010 Emerging Franchisor Roundtable Series and their 2010 Legal Roundtable Series. The Emerging Franchisor Roundtable targets franchisors with less than 50 units, or those franchising for five years or less, and concentrates on effectively growing a franchise system. The Legal Roundtable Series will focus on the IFA's new franchise sales and management compliance program, Fran-Guard™, which teaches franchisors the proactive steps needed to drive franchise sales, reduce risks, manage growth and improve profitability.

As the keynote speaker for all three sessions' Joint Luncheon, Monson will be addressing participants from the Franchise Development Seminar, the Legal Roundtable and the Emerging Franchisor Roundtable Series. While there she will present in the executive overview section of the Fran-Guard™ session and, immediately following the Joint Luncheon, will serve on the Panel of Experts speaking to the Franchise Development Conference.

"To be successful in today's economy, it is absolutely essential that concepts review, revise, refresh and strengthen their processes, programs and offerings," said Monson.

She strongly encourages franchise development representatives to attend the seminars for an exchange of ideas, lessons learned and best practices. Topics covered throughout the event will include available technology, new resources for leads, financing, legal issues and in-house team morale.

There are more than 900,000 franchised establishments in the U.S., creating 21 million American jobs and generating $2.3 trillion in economic output.

About FASTSIGNS®

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 535 FASTSIGNS centers located in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate under the name SIGNWAVE^®). 2010 marks the fifth consecutive year that FASTSIGNS International, Inc. has been ranked #1 in the business services category, by Franchise Business Review.

FASTSIGNS

sign and graphics centers leverage sign and marketing knowledge, state-of-the-art technology and innovative thinking to solve customers' marketing and communications challenges-from the simple to the simply impossible™. FASTSIGNS centers provide consulting, file transfer, design, production, delivery and installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic solutions to companies of all sizes, from all industries.