With the FBA Convention approaching quickly, I have to say I am pleased with how everything is coming together.  We have had a tremendous amount of interest and response from the brokers, we’re at 50% capacity for vendors and franchisors, and we are about to release a finalized schedule of events!  We have scheduled some excellent speakers, key notes, workshops and discussion topics.

Last year’s event was such a great success, I’m really looking forward to bringing everyone to Orlando in 2010.  2009 was my first year for planning and executing the FBA’s Convention, the most rewarding part for me was meeting the consultants in person, brokers and franchisors that we connect with via phone and e-mail every day and seeing them make connections with each other.  Last year, lead brokers and consultants formed strategic partnerships with many of the Franchisors in attendance, and now help them with their sales, franchise development, as well as planning and executing their marketing initiatives.

For me, putting faces to names was priceless!  Not only did I get to discuss the year in review, industry concerns, and plans for future growth with the attendees, I also realized a friendly Red Sox-Yankees rivalry among a few members, found out one of our members had run a marathon, saw who required a hefty dose of caffeine before the first session (which was most of us — Good News: this year there’s a Starbucks on site!), and learned a little bit about everyone’s family, hobbies, and personal passions.

The 2009 Convention was a great event, and one we learned from.

Hope to see you in October!