FOCUS SESSIONS

Focus sessions are educational opportunities geared on a specific topic or targeted for specific audiences in the franchise industry.

The educational programming has been designed to help all members of your team learn and grow! Follow this legend to identify which team members can take away relevant key learnings from each session:

Legal & Government Relations Update

Description

Do you want to stay ahead of the game when it comes to legal issues and government policies that could impact your business? If so, this session is for you!

Join us for this dynamic, moderated discussion on the top legal and legislative items you need to know about and take action on in the year to come. Set your franchise system up for success and stay ahead of the curve.

Supplier Insights Hour: Strategy, Innovation, and Franchise Partnerships (FSS Forum)

Description

Open to all

Description

Even great suppliers can lose impact in franchising—not because their products or services aren’t strong, but because they don’t fully understand how franchisors think, decide, and protect their systems. The CFA Supplier Insights Hour is a high-impact, supplier-only session that pulls the curtain back on how franchise leaders evaluate partners, why supplier conversations stall, and where suppliers unintentionally create friction. You’ll gain practical insight into what alignment really looks like in a franchise environment, then put that knowledge into action through structured supplier-to-supplier networking—a great place to ask for referrals—and a fast-paced live supplier showcase. If you’ve ever wondered why a promising franchisor conversation went quiet or why your value didn’t land the way you expected, this may be the most valuable hour of the convention for you.

Senior Executive Session

Date & Time
Monday, April 20, 2026, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Session Type
Focus Session
Description

This closed-door roundtable session is designed to facilitate discussion among senior executives and department leaders to help them troubleshoot the similar challenges they face in these positions in a safe and confidential space.

Closed Door CEO Circle Roundtables

Date & Time
Monday, April 20, 2026, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Session Type
Focus Session
Description

Exclusive to franchise system CEOs, Presidents, and Founders. CEO Circle roundtables are small, confidential, and facilitated discussion groups of 8-12 CEOs, Presidents, and Founders of franchise systems of similar sizes. The purpose of these forums is to create a safe, private, and trust-filled environment for franchise system leaders to discuss the concerns and challenges they face in their businesses. Our goal is to help you create mutually beneficial, one-to-one relationships with fellow franchise system leaders, helping you gain confidential resources who you can rely on for honest insights and perspectives.

Closed Door CEO Circle Fireside Chat

Name
Closed Door CEO Circle Fireside Chat
Date & Time
Sunday, April 19, 2026, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Catherine Monson, CFE David Druker, CFE
Location Name
Ontario Room - Level 3
Full Address
The Westin Ottawa
11 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa ON K1N 9H4
Canada
Session Type
CEO Session