The Journey Heads for the Finish Line
Please note that the website schedule is the least up to date, last updated 1st October.
If you are attending conference, please refer to the event app. Login details have been sent to your inbox from “Entergy” (check spam) and a final push will be sent prior the beginning of Day 1.
Day Three delivers the core convention content, featuring a full schedule of keynote presentations, panel conversations, and strategic sessions tailored to the current franchise landscape. It’s a day of shared learning, inspiration, and innovation—designed to challenge thinking and spark new ideas. Attendees will also enjoy dedicated time to explore exhibitor offerings and build meaningful industry connections throughout the day.
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Hosted by Richard Thame
Denis McFadden – Just Cuts, Jim Penman – Jim’s Group, Warren & Anne Ballantyne – Gutter Vac
Hosted by Richard Thame, this session brings together some of the most iconic figures in Australian franchising. They will share their journeys, insights, and strategies that have helped shape the franchise landscape.
In this inspiring panel discussion, you’ll hear:
Legendary Stories of Success: How these franchising pioneers built household names and overcame industry challenges
Lessons in Leadership and Innovation: Key takeaways from years of experience leading some of Australia’s most successful brands
Franchisee and Franchisor Relationships: How to nurture long-lasting partnerships for mutual success
This is a must-attend session for anyone looking to learn from the very best in the business and take their franchise to new heights. -
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WIF Panel – Facilitator Vanessa WilmotTherese Frangie – CEO Oporto, David Mansfield – Managing Director The Ascott Limited Australiasia, Caitlin Maccumber – Franchisee Plus FitnessHear from a dynamic group of leaders in c-suite and leadership roles, who are leading with impact and shaping the future of franchising. This panel will feature successful business leaders who are driving innovation, foster inclusive cultures, and are paving the way for future generations of women leaders.The panelists will share their experiences on their journey to c-suite and leadership roles and the challenges they have overcome, their resilience and leadership styles, and the biggest lessons that they have learnt along the way.
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Suzie is a sought-after, witty, and inspiring speaker and the author of four books. She’s known for her practical, immediately-actionable, and transformative leadership and resilience strategies. Beyond the stage, she’s also the owner of a global e-commerce label, the co-founder of a not-for-profit, and is on the leadership team at Professional Speakers Australia (PSA). As the only survivor of her birth family, Suzie’s personal courage will also inspire you.Resilience is both an insurance policy and a sure way to future-proof your franchise. As we navigate a turbulent business market and a rapidly evolving digital and ‘meta’ world, the only unwavering asset we truly control is our resilience.Suzie will share 3 powerful and practical resilience strategies that will help you and your teams become happier, stress less, achieve more in fewer hours, create a culture of innovation, and significantly improve performance and profit margins.
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Mastering Franchise Marketing: Strategies for Success
Join Taylor Fielding from TFM as he facilitates an expert panel on the latest and most effective marketing strategies for franchises.
Winning Marketing Strategies: Proven methods to elevate your franchise marketing efforts and attract new customers
Insights from Industry Leaders: Hear from the Marketing Manager of the Year on what sets top-performing franchises apart
Digital Marketing Trends: How franchises can leverage digital platforms to reach wider audiences and boost performance
Creating Compelling Content: Effective storytelling and content creation that resonates with your target market
This session is a must for franchisors looking to elevate their marketing strategies, build stronger brand awareness, and engage their customer base effectively.
HR , Payroll & Compliance in Franchising: Navigating the Essentials
Join Nikki Richardson from GYG as she hosts an insightful session on the critical aspects of HR, payroll, and compliance within franchising. With expert contributions from Damien Gooden (ER Strategies), and other industry leaders, this session will provide invaluable advice on managing human resources and maintaining compliance in the franchise system.
Effective HR Strategies: Best practices for managing employees, ensuring compliance, and fostering a strong workplace culture
Payroll and Compliance Essentials: Navigating complex payroll systems and staying on top of legal obligations
Reducing Supplier Costs: Insights from David Rounsevell (ERA) on cost-saving strategies that positively impact your franchise
Superannuation and Financial Tools: How to manage superannuation contributions and leverage platforms like MYOB, Tanda, and Rest Super for efficient financial management
This session is crucial for franchisors looking to streamline HR processes, maintain compliance, and reduce costs across the business.
Building a Customer-Centric Franchise Network
Fostering a Strong Network Culture: How franchisors can create a culture that supports both franchisees and customers
Supporting Franchisees for Long-Term Success: Proven strategies for sustainable growth and development within the franchise system
Handling Conflicts and Maintaining Brand Integrity: Effective conflict resolution while upholding brand values and customer satisfaction
This session is essential for franchisors looking to enhance customer focus, support their franchisees, and ensure long-term brand success.
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Growth & Expansion
Hosted by Doug Downer from Franchise Ready, this session will explore the most effective strategies for scaling your franchise system through multi-unit and multi-brand expansion.
Winning Marketing Strategies: Proven methods to elevate your franchise marketing efforts and attract new customers
Insights from Industry Leaders: Hear from the Marketing Manager of the Year on what sets top-performing franchises apart
Digital Marketing Trends: How franchises can leverage digital platforms to reach wider audiences and boost performance
Creating Compelling Content: Effective storytelling and content creation that resonates with your target market
This session is a must for franchisors looking to elevate their marketing strategies, build stronger brand awareness, and engage their customer base effectively.
Innovation: Reinventing Youself for the Future
Leveraging AI for Marketing, Customer Service, and Operations: Practical strategies to use AI to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and improve marketing efforts
The Role of Automation in Driving Efficiency: How automation is transforming franchise operations, reducing costs, and increasing productivity
Practical Examples of Tech Innovation in Franchising: Real-life examples of successful tech innovations that are reshaping the franchise industry
This session is perfect for franchisors looking to embrace innovation, drive operational efficiency, and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Building a Thriving Franchise Culture: Leadership, Engagement & Performance
Join Richard Thame as he hosts an insightful CEO Panel. This session will dive into the critical elements of building and maintaining a thriving franchise culture, focusing on leadership, engagement, and performance.
Defining Franchise Culture: What does a strong franchise culture look like, and how can it drive success?
Leadership’s Role: Exploring the effective leadership styles that foster a positive and productive franchise environment
Franchisee Engagement: Building trust and open communication through feedback and collaboration
Engaging the Franchise Team: Strategies to align your team’s performance with the core values and culture of the brand
Integrating New Franchisees: Best practices for onboarding and embedding new franchisees into the existing culture
Measuring Culture & Performance: Tools and methods for assessing the impact of culture on overall franchise performance
Adapting for Growth: How to maintain a strong culture while scaling your franchise operations
Case Studies: Success stories and lessons learned from franchises with strong cultures -
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TOPIC: Consumer Spending Habits & TrendsFacilitator: Jay Westbury – FCAFollowed by panel – Tapas Strickland -NAB, Larry Prosser – Beyond PaymentsHow are Australians really spending right now—and what’s next? In this fast-paced session, economist Tapas Strickland breaks down the latest consumer data, interest-rate dynamics, and confidence indicators to reveal where discretionary dollars are flowing (and where they aren’t). You’ll get a clear, practical view of near-term demand drivers and the signals to watch as we head into the next trading cycle.We’ll then shift straight into a punchy panel with Afterpay, NAB, and Beyond Payments, facilitated by Jay Westbury. Expect an on-the-ground discussion about basket size, payment preferences, credit appetite, chargeback trends, and checkout conversion—plus what franchisors and multi-unit operators can do now to protect margins and lift throughput.Technology in Franchising: Harnessing Innovation for Growth
Hosted by Meena from App Wise, this session will delve into the critical role of technology in modern franchising. With insights from Nick Mecozzi (Franconnect) and other industry experts, discover how tech-driven solutions are reshaping operations, enhancing franchisee support, and driving business growth.
Leveraging AI for Marketing, Customer Service, and Operations: Practical strategies to use AI to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and improve marketing efforts
The Role of Automation in Driving Efficiency: How automation is transforming franchise operations, reducing costs, and increasing productivity
Practical Examples of Tech Innovation in Franchising: Real-life examples of successful tech innovations that are reshaping the franchise industry
This session is perfect for franchisors looking to embrace innovation, drive operational efficiency, and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Faster. Cheaper. Better. — Visual Marketing & Communication in an AI World – Interactive WorkshopFaster, cheaper, better with a path to 10x results. We make the case for video as the engine of growth at the core of your marketing and communications. We then blend storytelling with a hybrid AI approach to cut through without the old cost and time penalties. Through case studies and guided exercises you will explore key challenges, define audience archetypes, and shape a concise “60 seconds to yes” narrative for sales, recruiting, training and more. You leave with practical checklists and the first foundations of your own 10x strategy. -
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