Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) visited the MBE Home Office, franchisor of The UPS Store, in San Diego Calif. on Nov. 22, and spent time addressing a large group about what is happening in Washington, D.C. on how important small businesses and the franchise industry are to the economy. The member of Congress met with MBE, a UPS Company President Stuart Mathis and Senior Vice President of Franchise Relations Don Higginson.
Interaction between members of the franchise industry and lawmakers throughout the year helped the International Franchise association near a major milestone.
IFA's Franchise Congress advocacy program is designed to provide a voice of franchising to lawmakers in all 50 states. Through IFA's Franchise Congress advocacy program, IFA members are provided regular updates on issues and calls to action, and hold periodic conference calls, webinars and meetings.
The program was only three states away from covering the country with key contacts by the end of 2011. States still needing franchise congress member representation were:
* Alaska
* Hawaii
* North Dakota
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Click here to join up with the Franchise Congress network: http://www.franchise.org/nomination_form.aspx.
For more information on IFA's Franchise Congress or association advocacy efforts, e-mail Advocacy@franchise.org.
