Here’s my early pick as the most interesting panel on the schedule of The 2014 International Franchise Association Convention. This group of franchising and marketing thought leaders will share ideas on local social and other local marketing engagement.

Title: Increase Local Share and Customer Engagement with Less Time and Effort
Date: Monday, February 24, 2013
Time: 10:15 am – 11:45 am

Moderator:
Mary Ann O’Connell, CFE, President, FranWise

Speakers:
Kelly Crompvoets, Marketing Coordinator, Home Franchise Concepts, Inc.
Donnie Robertson, Director of Marketing, Nothing Bundt Franchising, Inc.
Deb Evans, President, Franchise Foundry

• We will explore efficient ways to increase local revenue, save staff time and foster strong and meaningful customer engagement. 
• Franchisors and franchisees need local customer contact information to begin two-way engagement and learn operational deficiencies at the local and regional levels.
• Attendees will learn how to use Social Media to create Top Of Mind Awareness, how to effectively use the ad fund to support local branding, automate programs that are easy for franchisees to use and automate the use and distribution of in-store kits.