Bestselling author, humanitarian and Navy SEAL, Eric Greitens will give a public talk at the International Franchise Association’s 12th Annual Public Affairs Conference.

The talk, which will take place on 14 September, will involve Greitens addressing over 500 franchise small business leaders. “We are thrilled to have Eric Greitens speak at this year’s IFA Public Affairs Conference,” said Steve Caldeira, IFA President and CEO. “Eric’s military leadership experience will provide IFA members with a first-hand perspective about how veterans can become leaders and entrepreneurs in their communities.”

Greitens has worked as a humanitarian volunteer and served from Rwanda to India to the Gaza Strip. He is also a Navy SEAL, which involved him being deployed four times over the last 10 years. Returning home, Greitens used his combat pay to found The Mission Continues, a non-profit organisation that empowers wounded and disabled veterans to become citizen leaders in their local communities.

Greitens’ work with The Mission Continues has earned him numerous accolades, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The Draper Richards Foundation named him a Fellow as one of America’s most innovative leaders. He has been awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his military service, and his recent book, The Heart and the Fist, has been a US bestseller.

The IFA will launch an expanded campaign at its Public Affairs Conference to raise awareness among veterans about opportunities for franchise small business ownership when they return to civilian life. The expanded campaign will include advocacy for the IFA-supported Help Veterans Own Franchises Act and education about IFA’s VetFran programme, which offers financial incentives to veterans and has enabled nearly 2,100 veterans to purchase a franchise business since the programme’s re-launch in 2001.

IFA’s annual Public Affairs Conference gathers franchise business leaders from across the US in Washington to inform Congress how public policy impacts the economic health of the franchise industry. “IFA supports pro-growth public policies that encourage economic recovery and job growth in the franchise business community,” Caldeira added. “These include initiatives that increase small business access to credit, eliminate tax uncertainties, reduce the cost of health insurance and support veterans and minorities as small franchise business owners.”

Published: 20 July 2011

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