Franchise Business Networks host elected officials.

This year, the summer Franchise Business Network of the International Franchise Association featured a new twist as many brought in federal and state lawmakers to hear about franchising directly from their constituents. Spearheaded by IFA Supplier Forum Chair Lane Fisher of Fisher Zucker LLC, this effort to bring policymakers together with franchisees, franchisors and franchise suppliers will help bring the network meetings back to one of their primary purposes, to serve as a critical grassroots network between franchise community and their lawmakers.

Meetings Include Speeches, Capitol Tour

The first round of these meetings took place the weeks of July 11 and 18 in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Columbia, Md. and San Diego. Others were scheduled for later in the summer, but had not taken place by the time this issue of Franchising World magazine went to press.

In addition to hearing from lawmakers about their public-policy priorities, hosting them at regional meetings provided an opportunity for the franchising community to discuss with state and federal legislators its legislative agenda. Attendees at these meetings discussed IFA priorities such as small-business health plan legislation and legal reform. Similarly, state lawmakers heard how taxes and regulations, particularly in the health-care arena, impact franchising.

At the Philadelphia meeting arranged by Fisher, U.S. Rep. Robert Brady (D-Pa.) spoke to more than 70 franchisees, franchisors and suppliers about their concerns, such as lack of affordable health insurance. Brady also noted that that he has been successful in bridging the gap between business and organized labor and wants to do what he can to help franchised businesses in Philadelphia.

In Atlanta, more than 60 attendees crowded into a room at the state capitol to hear from Georgia Rep. Stacey Reece (R), a Spherion franchisee, about the challenges before the legislature. Reece also took the group on a personal tour of the capitol, including the House Chamber, where he explained in great detail the legislative process. Also at the Atlanta meeting, Speaker of the House Glen Richardson (R) appeared and thanked the group for coming while his chief of staff, Jay Walker, also participated.

Sen. Dick Ackerman, the leader of the Republican minority in the California Senate (and recently voted Legislator of the Year), spoke to a combined meeting of the Orange County-San Diego-Los Angeles network meetings, focusing on California's political scene, the need for more business sensitive legislation and the governor's upcoming political reform proposals in California. He discussed the critical importance for business of changing the redistricting process, so as to assure more competitive districts and, ultimately, a more business friendly climate in the state. Similarly, in Columbia, Md., Maryland Sen. Brian Frosh (D) discussed issues of concern in Annapolis. IFA staff attended these meetings as well.

Other lawmakers scheduled to speak to the meetings later this summer will include U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) in Minneapolis, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) in Chicago and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) in New York City.

Summer Meetings are a Springboard for a Busy Fall

The political nature of the summer meetings also set the stage for a politically-charged fall for IFA members.

The importance of participating in IFA's Sixth Annual Franchise Appreciation Day was discussed during the Franchise Business Network meetings. While it is important to include elected officials in events in their legislative districts, these attendees were told that it is equally important that they travel to Washington, D.C. for the Sept. 12 and 13 events on Capitol Hill that will include meetings with lawmakers and their staffs and a special reception hosted by the IFA for members of Congress. Last fall, more than 250 IFA members descended on Washington for this important event and IFA is working for another record-breaking year again in 2005. IFA members can find a registration form for Franchise Appreciation Day on Franchise.org. There is no fee for this event.

Moreover this fall, the hope is to use these recent meetings as catalysts for a series of fundraisers to benefit FranPAC, the association's political action committee, and communicating with elected officials around the country during the Fall FBN meetings. Hosting these events will allow IFA to support pro-franchising, pro-business candidates for federal office, and is an important component of an overall political strategy.

Matt Lathrop is director of government relations for the International Franchise Association. He can be reached at 202662-0792 or [e-mail].

For more information about the Franchise Business Network meetings, contact IFA's Dir. of Membership Paul Rocchio at 202-6620790 or [e-mail]. For more information about IFA's grassroots political educational efforts, contact IFA's Manager of Government Relations and Political Education Jessica Bonanno at 202-662-0775 or [e-mail].