CARROLLTON, Texas - Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., will be a keynote speaker at the 2016 International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 56^th Annual Convention on Monday, February 22. Monson is expected to share strategies and tactics for revitalizing a brand and improving franchisee profitability.

Monson will also discuss her passion for franchising while serving on two expert panels during the IFA Annual Convention. Panel topics include supporting franchisees from an operational perspective and leading with excellence. Thousands of franchise business leaders and suppliers are expected attend the IFA’s Annual Convention to hear the latest information about protecting and improving their brands.

“Franchising creates great opportunities for business owners and it creates positive economic growth for the local communities where they operate,” explained Monson. “FASTSIGNS continues to experience record-breaking growth and success.”

Convention attendees will hear about the IFA’s Franchise Action Network (FAN), a group of over 10,000 supporters working to preserve the franchise business model. The goal of FAN is to educate policymakers on the benefits of independent, locally-owned franchises that create jobs and provide value to their local communities. In 2015, Monson was the first-ever FAN of the Year award recipient for her advocacy and work in support of the franchising community at local, state and national level.

According to the Franchise Business Outlook: 2016, for the sixth consecutive year, the franchise industry is expected to outpace non-franchise business growth.