It is our great pleasure to invite you to join us in Baltimore this October, along with several hundred of your existing or soon-to-become friends, for the 34th Annual Meeting of the ABA Forum on Franchising.

Baltimore’s rich history explains this year’s theme – Flying the Flag of Franchising. Our setting will be the Marriott Waterfront, just across the Baltimore Harbor from Fort McHenry, the birthplace of our National Anthem. Our setting will also remind us that the Baltimore of 2011 is not just about history; the Inner Harbor area where we will be headquartered is an active, vital, contemporary place, home to a variety of attractions within easy walking distance, ranging from Fells Point to the National Aquarium, with a generous array of restaurants and clubs mixed in.

The programs planned for Baltimore are equally stimulating. Remaining competitive and flying the franchise flag in the 21st century requires an understanding of precedent – our history – as well as the legal and business currents that continue to shape the industry. The Forum on Franchising has a proud tradition of excellence in its programming, a tradition that continues with our program offerings, highlighted by three distinctive half-day intensive programs on Wednesday afternoon, including:

• Fundamentals of Franchising®, a must-attend comprehensive overview for those new to franchise law, as well as those who need some brushing up, which will provide a foundation for our remaining programs and, just perhaps, your entire practice.
  
• Best Practices for Managing Your Franchise Disclosure and Registration Practice - An aptly named practical, hands-on survey of state and federal franchise disclosure and registration requirements as well as the practices followed by those engaged in the regular management of clients' disclosure and registration needs; and 
  
• Anatomy of a Franchise Litigation Case - An exploration of the myriad issues encountered in the life of a complex franchise dispute, based upon the Forum's recent publication, The Franchise Litigation Handbook, which will serve as part of the course materials.

Two plenary programs consisting of:

• Annual Franchise and Distribution Law Update - The ever-popular program surveying the past year's major developments in the field of franchise law, and
  
• Speed Reading People:  Techniques to Improve Communications and Enhance Outcomes - A tutorial on proven techniques to help you better understand others' communication styles and preferences, and thereby enhance your success in negotiations and dispute resolution.

All this, as well as twenty-four interactive workshops led by experienced practitioners dealing with such current legal and business challenges as creating and implementing e-disclosure systems, savvy strategies in franchise litigation, new trends in ADA compliance and enforcement, differing treatment of franchisees in difficult economic times, the mysterious case of the disappearing franchisor, best practices in regulatory enforcement proceedings, franchising in Asia-Pacific countries, and ethical concerns in the use of consultants and paraprofessionals.

Flying the flag requires more than just education – occasionally good franchise lawyers need to relax, and our schedule will provide attendees ample opportunities to socialize in some of Baltimore’s historic and contemporary venues, all the while developing their professional relationships. Newcomers will start off with Wednesday evening at Mustang Alley’s Bar, Bowling and Bistro, which pretty much says it all. On Thursday, spouses and guests will tour historic Fell’s Point and sample specially made dishes at unique family-owned restaurants. Our annual reception and dinner will take place at the B&O Railroad Museum, the birthplace of American railroading. Our Friday night casual event will include dinner, music and the opportunity to test your mettle on a mechanical bull at PBR Baltimore, a nightclub that is part of the exciting Power Plant Live attraction; be sure to prepare, and dress, accordingly.

Saturday will offer two choices: either a guided tour of colonial Annapolis, featuring a tour of the Maryland State House, the William Paca House (one of America’s most impressive restored 18th Century mansions) and the United States Military Academy; or our annual community service event, which this year will have us pitching in at Moveable Feast, an organization that packs meals for individuals in need.

The venue, the programs and the social events at this year’s Annual Forum will be unparalleled. Be sure to plan ahead and take advantage of the Early Bird Discount. We look forward to seeing you in Baltimore!


Michael K. Lindsey                                         Karen Boring Satterlee
Program Co-Chair                                          Program Co-Chair