The FASTSIGNS CEO became the IFA chair during the IFA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Catherine Monson, CEO at FASTSIGNS International Inc., who recently won the Global Franchise Award for Best Signage & Communications Franchise, was named the IFA chair on February 11 at the IFA Annual Convention; a yearly event that brings together the biggest names in international franchising. She succeeds the current IFA chair, David Barr, who held the position for the past year.
Monson’s association with franchising extends well beyond her involvement with FASTSIGNS, as she has spent time serving on the board of directors for the IFA – during which she helped to further the IFA’s mission of protecting and promoting franchising through government relations, public relations, and educational programs.
In 2009, Monson was honored by the IFA as the Bonny LeVine Award recipient. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon a female franchisor or franchisee who has demonstrated a contribution to business through franchising, as well as contributions to her community through board positions, volunteer work, and activities that promote the professional advancement of women.
In 2015, she received the IFA’s first-ever FAN (Franchise Action Network) of the Year Award, for her commitment, dedication, and efforts to champion franchise and small business locally and nationally through her work with the Franchise Action Network. The FAN Annual Meeting, originally called Franchise Appreciation Day, has been hosted by the IFA since 1999 and after attending the second edition, Monson has been present at every iteration bar one.
In 2020, Monson’s work with the IFA will center around protecting and enhancing the franchise business model through teaching and promoting franchise best practices to franchisors, continuing with the IFA’s strong Government Relations (GR) outreach and increasing membership of the IFA.
“It is an incredible honor to be elected to the position of IFA chair,” said Monson. “I love franchising; franchising enables people to own their own business and benefit from the power of a brand along with the brand’s marketing, advertising, training, and support. I look forward to serving the franchising community through my appointment and doing my part to protect, promote and enhance franchising.”
