2026 Conference agenda

Agenda: Monday 22 June 2026

10:00 Legal Symposium Registration
10:30 Welcome & Opening Remarks MC – Greg Paget
10:35 Commerce Commission Update – Key Regulatory Insights for Franchising Stewart Germann
10:45 Panel Discussion: Cartels & Commerce Act – What You Need to Know Convenor: Khushbu Sundarji, Panellists: Dr John Land and Anna Ryan
12:00 International Panel: Global Trends & Emerging Issues Convenor: Stewart Germann, Panellists: Ali McElroy (USA), Esmari Jonker (South Africa) and Steve Pynt (Australia)
13:05 Refuel and Reconnect (Lunch)
14:00 Franchise Advocacy Update – Progress & Priorities Darryl King
14:15 Workshop Session 1 - Marketing Fund Katrina Hammon and Stewart Germann
15:00 Workshop Session 2 - Renewal of Term and Breach Michael Bright and Harshad Shiba
15:45 Panel Discussion: Franchise Agreements – Best Practice & Insights Patrick Learmonth, Hamish Walker and Sanjay Joshi
16:25 Closing Remarks MC – Greg Paget
16:30 Event close

18:30 pm

National Franchise Conference Welcome Dinner

Welcome Dinner & Networking with Hon. Cameron Brewer

Kick off the event in style! Join us for an incredible evening of great food, sharp conversation, and premium networking alongside the Honorable Cameron Brewer.

Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, 50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Hon. Cameron Brewer
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs of New Zealand

Hon. Matt Doocey
Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health.

Agenda: Tuesday 23-June 2026

8:30 Day 1 Kick-Off
8:50 FANZ Welcome Katrina King
8:55 Keynote 1: Exploring the future of population, people, and culture Paul Spoonley, Demographer
9:55 Panel 1: Franchise Leaders Panel, Convenor: Sam Pollock, Panellists: Richard Goodman, Layamon Bakewell, Miranda Knapton, Jennie Ekigbo

10:40 Refuel and Reconnect

11:40 Workshop 1
- WORKSHOP 1: Succession Planning: Building a Franchise System That Outlasts You - Sacha Coburn, Coffee Culture
- WORKSHOP 2: Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Multi-Unit Franchising - Jason Gerhke, Franchise Advisory Centre
- WORKSHOP 3: Enhancing Your Franchise System with AI - Adem Hyssoli, Operandio

12:40 Workshop 2
- WORKSHOP 4: Mastering Difficult Conversations with Franchisees - Pete Burdon, Media Training NZ
- WORKSHOP 5: The Franchise Foundations That Drive Performance in Tough Times - Callum Floyd, Franchize Consultants
- WORKSHOP 6: Franchise Funding – the Fuel for System Growth - Convenor: Darryn McAuliffe, Panellists: Daniel Cloete, Brent Dunshea, Trent Parkinson, Janice Osbaldiston

13:45 Refuel and Reconnect

14:45 Franchise Advocacy Update - Darryl King, Chair of FARC
15:00 Employment Standards in Franchising – Real-World Insights Panel: Abhay Kolhe, Katriona Ikenasio, Brad Jacobs, Jason Hill
15:45 Keynote 2: Sharing global insights and proven strategies for franchise growth - Rocco Fiorentino, Benetrends
16:45 Day One Wrap up
17:00 Conference concludes Day 1

18:30 pm

FANZ 30th Birthday Celebration Gala Dinner 90s THEMED PARTY

Dust off your platform shoes and get ready to party like it’s 1999! We are celebrating 30 years in the most iconic way possible - with a massive 90s themed Dinner.

Dominion Museum Building,

15 Buckle Street,

Mount Cook, Wellington

Agenda: Wednesday 24-June 2026

9:00 Welcome to Day 2
9:10 Keynote 3 - Modern day franchise recruitment: how Jim’s Group grew by 2,100 franchisees using authentic video content - Joel Kleber, Chief Marketing Officer for Jim’s Group
10:10 Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) Industry Update - Helen Alfa

10:25 Roundtable Sessions

11:25 Refuel and Reconnect

12:25 Discussion with Felipe Dos Santos, Supreme Franchise System winner - Felipe Dos Santos, Harrisons Flooring
12:55 Keynote 4 - Listening as Leadership: How high-performance networks turn feedback into mutual success and satisfaction - Greg Nathan, Franchise Relationships Institute
14:10 Conference Wrap Up - Brad Jacobs
14:30 Conference concludes