
Northern Illinois Franchise Association Hosts IFA President and CEO Steve Caldeira for Spring Luncheon
The Northern Illinois Franchise Association (NIFA), founded by All Points PR’s executive leadership Jamie and Lauren Izaks alongside friend and colleague Andrew Bleiman, managing attorney with Marks & Klein, one of America’s leading law firms focused on the franchise industry with a Chicago office, recently hosted its Spring Luncheon featuring keynote speaker Steve Caldeira, the CEO and president of the International Franchise Association (IFA).
The largest NIFA event to date, the Spring Luncheon was a great networking opportunity with a mix of franchisors, franchisees and suppliers. The event was sponsored by CohnReznick, who did an excellent job hosting the Q&A portion with Steve. Steve commanded the audience with an inspiring and relevant keynote presentation about the tough issues affecting the entire franchise and small business industry. He explained the size of the nearly $900 billion franchise industry, which is now approaching 800,000 establishments.
Steve’s empowering speech encouraged everyone in the room to take action, contact their state representatives and fight for franchisee rights, so they are given the same considerations as other small business owners. A large portion of working to pass legislation is having franchisors educate their franchisees, engage with the process and use public relations and social media to advance the cause.
Following the keynote address, Steve took a variety of questions from the audience, commenting on all franchise industry sectors’ growth, health care and fast casual dining being two of the most prolific. Guests mingled during the networking time and got the opportunity to discuss the presentation with one another as well as Steve personally.
With an attendance of around 70 Chicago-area franchising professionals, guests enjoyed the lunch at Chicago Cut Steakhouse, where the sandwiches were huge, the conversation compelling and the networking with friends and neighbors in business priceless.
As one of the nation’s most prolific franchise markets, Chicago is already an area of interest to most franchises. We invite all interested parties to attend NIFA’s events, featuring speakers and panels that speak directly to parties interested in growing in the Chicago area. The relatively small size of NIFA provides an intimate networking opportunity to form mutually beneficial relationships.
Looking ahead, NIFA is planning a fantastic Summer Luncheon, which will take place in August. Stay connected with NIFA membership and get more information on the Spring Luncheon as well as the upcoming Summer Luncheon on the NIFA website.
Pictured from left to right: Andrew Bleiman, NIFA co-founder & Marks & Klein; Lauren Izaks, NIFA co-founder & All Points PR; Jamie Izaks, NIFA co-founder & All Points PR; Matthew Patinkin, Double P Corp.; Steve Caldeira, International Franchise Association; Stuart Hershman, DLA Piper LLP; Barbara Moran, Moran Industries, Inc.; Mark McSteen, International Franchise Association.