Veterans Invited to Attend New Opportunities Workshop at Nova Southeastern University

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As July 4th approaches, and with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering at more than 18 percent, business leaders at Nova Southeastern University's H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the International Franchise Association (IFA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will host the New Opportunities Workshop (NOW) to educate veterans across South Florida on franchising and small business opportunities.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veteran's transition.

Speakers at the workshop to include:

• Cheryl Babcock, director, International Institute for Franchise Education, Nova Southeastern University       
• Veteran Dena Hale, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, Huizenga Sales Institute
• Veteran Fred Roger, director of training, Dr. G's Franchising Companies
• Veteran Joe West, president, Brooklyn Water Bagel Franchise Company
• Michael Joblove, founding shareholder of Genovese Joblove & Battista and IFA Board Member

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran events," said Steve Caldeira, president and chief executive officer of the IFA. "Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

During the workshop, a free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network will be launched designed to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs. This effort is part of IFA's commitment to working with its members to hire or recruit as business owners the 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. More than 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year, 4,000 of which have already opened their businesses.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit.  For more information, visit www.VetFran.com.

About International Franchise Association:
The International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the franchise industry, which supports nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.

About IIFE:
The International Institute for Franchise Education (IIFE) is a demonstrated leader around the globe for its cutting-edge domestic and international education and leadership training programs for franchise executives. Programs are designed for start-up and emerging franchisors as well as founders, presidents, CEOs, COOs and key leadership team members who want to grow their systems. IIFE is also the headquarters for the International Society of Franchising, comprised of educators and researchers from around the globe. For more information, visit http://www.huizenga.nova.edu/franchise.

Media Contact:
Carmen Ordonez
954-893-9150
[email protected]

SOURCE International Institute for Franchise Education