CARROLLTON, Texas - FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the world’s leading sign and visual graphics franchisor with more than 750 FASTSIGNS® locations worldwide announces attending speakers at the International Franchise Association’s 62nd Annual Convention in San Diego Feb. 26 to March 1 at the San Diego Convention Center. The convention will highlight franchising’s impact on the nation’s economic recovery, policy proposals impacting the business model, share best practices to help all in franchising be the best they can be, and discussions about opportunities for the future of the industry.

Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International and Propelled Brands and the Chair of the International Franchise Association, will be speaking on the State of the Association on Sunday, February 27. On Monday February 28, she will also be moderating for Franchisor Speaker: Technology-fueled Transformation in the Restaurant Industry, Paul Brown, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Brands. On Tuesday March 1, Monson will be Passing the Gavel to incoming IFA Chair Charlie Chase from First Service Brands.

Mark Jameson, Chief Support and Development Officer at FASTSIGNS, will be speaking at the convention and participating at a panel discussion called “International Summit: Supporting Your Brand Internationally.”

Stan Gray, a multi-unit FASTSIGNS franchisee and military veteran, will be a panelist at the Sunday General Session sharing how military life prepared him for the role of business owner. Stan will also be awarded the Franchisee of the Year for FASTSIGNS at the "Franchisee of the Year Celebration.” This event will include FASTSIGNS and other brands who chose to recognize their franchisee of the year at IFA.

Jeff Lewis, the Assistant Vice President of Franchise Support for FASTSIGNS, will be leading the class Financial Analytics: Tools and Best Practices for Franchisee and Franchisor Profitability at the IFA breakout sessions.

“My team and I are always honored to be part of this powerful event that helps franchisors and franchisees improve their businesses, learn best practices, and expand their network in an ideal environment for growth and inspiration,” said Catherine Monson. “We look forward to sharing what we’ve learned with others in franchising and provide insight at the single most important and relevant franchising conference held today.”

IFA is the franchising sector’s only global trade association. For the first time in two years, this convention will bring together industry leaders to study the leading role franchising played in the post-pandemic economic recovery; delivering needed new, local business starts and jobs following the decline in jobs in 2020 and 2021; celebrating 30 years of proactive veteran recruitment into the ranks of franchising; sharing best practices; and looking ahead to addressing workforce challenges.

Featured speakers include NBA legend and franchising leader Shaquille O’Neal, Inspire Brands CEO Paul Brown, Self Esteem Brand’s Seth Mortenson, America’s first black female combat pilot Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, author and workforce innovator Seth Mattison, in addition to IFA President and CEO Matthew Haller and IFA Chair Catherine Monson, and numerous executive brand leaders, and lawmakers.