(CARROLLTON, Texas) —Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., will be the Sunday, April 2nd keynote speaker at the 50th Annual Canadian Franchise Association’s (CFA) National Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario. She will also present the “CEO Session” on April 3rd.
Monson will speak about transformational leadership and will review the process she undertook to reposition the FASTSIGNS brand, grow franchisee unit level sales and profitability, improve franchisee support services and franchisee satisfaction, and increase the number of FASTSIGNS locations through targeted franchise development – all resulting in record EBITDA growth for the company. Monson will share the metrics she uses to manage the business today and will talk about how the team focuses on achieving their key business objectives.
Based on the results achieved under her leadership, Catherine successfully led the sale of FASTSIGNS International from one private equity firm to another in 2014.
“It is an honor to be the keynote speaker at the Canadian Franchise Association’s National Convention.” said Monson. “FASTSIGNS has terrific Canadian franchisees and a growing network in Canada. I look forward to sharing the FASTSIGNS International, Inc. story and to meeting and hearing the success stories of Canadian franchisors and franchisees.”
About the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA)
The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is the recognized authority on franchising in Canada. With over 600 corporate members representing many of Canada’s best- and lesser-known brands and 40,000 franchisees nation-wide, CFA is the indispensable resource for the franchise community and advocates on behalf of franchisors and franchisees in Canada to enhance and protect the franchise business model. CFA promotes excellence in franchising and educates Canadians about franchising, specific franchise opportunities and proper due diligence through its many events, programs, publications, and websites (www.cfa.ca, www.LookforaFranchise.ca, and www.FranchiseAwareness.ca).
About Catherine Monson
Catherine Monson is the CEO and President of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. She joined FASTSIGNS® in 2009 and has more than 30 years of franchising and management experience in sales and marketing, operations, development, training and advocacy. Monson is on the Executive Committee of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and currently serves as Secretary. In 2015, she received the IFA’s inaugural Franchise Action Network FAN of the Year award for her advocacy work in the franchising community. She is also a past recipient of the International Franchise Association’s prestigious Bonny LeVine Award. She has been recognized by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the top 25 Women Industry Leaders, as an “Innovator and an Influencer” by Sign & Digital Graphics magazine, among the first to receive the “Woman In Print“ award by Big Picture magazine, and most recently, she was honored with the prestigious Leadership Award at the 2016 Women Who Soar Awards. Catherine appeared on the two-time Emmy Award-nominated reality series, Undercover Boss, to learn new ways to further advance the FASTSIGNS brand. She is on the Board of Directors of the early childhood development franchisor, The Learning Experience.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 650 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the US, Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).
FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or on LinkedIn. For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson at (214) 346-5679.