FASTSIGNS CEO to Participate in Spring 2010 Franchise Leadership Forum
Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., will serve as Honorary Chair for the Spring 2010 Franchise Leadership Forum, taking place Wednesday, February 24, at the La Cima Club in Irving, Texas.

DEERFIELD, IL, February 25, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., will serve as Honorary Chair for the Spring 2010 Franchise Leadership Forum, taking place Wednesday, February 24, at the La Cima Club in Irving, Texas.

The Spring 2010 Franchise Leadership Forum will focus on âEURœEffective Strategies for Franchise FinancingâEUR� and âEURœHow to Get the Bank to Say Yes to Franchisors and Franchisees.âEUR� The aspect of financing is currently a struggle for many franchise companies and Monson hopes next weekâEUR s forum will be an opportunity for those within the industry to learn about the latest information available.

âEURœFinding and gaining access to financing continues to be challenging for franchise candidates and franchisees alike; securing adequate financing has become a road block for those who want to get into business for themselves by purchasing a franchise, as well as for those trying to grow and expand their current franchise business,âEUR� explains Monson, who also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Franchise Association (IFA).

âEURœOver the past decade, small businesses accounted for 60 âEUR" 80 percent of annual job creation, and currently account for almost 50 percent of total jobs in the private sector. A recent report conducted by the IFA Educational Foundation determined that for every $1 million of lending obtained by franchise businesses, 34.1 jobs are created and $3.6 million in annual total economic output is realized.âEUR�

An advocate for small-business enterprise and franchising, Monson was the 2009 recipient of the IFAâEUR s prestigious Bonny LeVine Award. This award is given annually to a female franchisor in recognition for her demonstrated ability in franchising through contribution to the growth of the business; contributions to her community through board positions, volunteer work and activities that promote the professional advancement of women; and her contributions as a mentor to women in franchising.

âEURœI look forward to speaking with those who attend next weekâEUR s Forum so that we can exchange ideas and help one another achieve great success in 2010,âEUR� says Monson.

Keynote speakers for the Spring 2010 Franchise Leadership Forum include two of the nationâEUR s leading franchise finance experts, Bob Rodi, President of Mount Pleasant Capital Corp., and Bob Coleman, Founder of Coleman Publishing Group. Facilitating the forum is franchise industry expert, Dr. John P. Hayes. For more information about the Franchise Leadership Forum visit www.cimastrategic.com/ceo-roundtables/franchise.

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Emily Collins
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