Build a Smarter Franchise with Vendasta’s AI Workforce
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2026 IFA Annual Convention
February 23-25, 2026, Las Vegas, NV
The International Franchise Association’s Annual Convention is the largest and most influential gathering in franchising, bringing together thousands of franchise leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs every year for unmatched learning, connection, and growth.
IFA26: Evolve is more than a conference — it’s a transformational experience built for franchising. For 2026, we’ve reimagined our flagship event with new features and fresh formats designed to help you evolve your brand, your team, and your leadership.
Why meet Vendasta at IFA 2026
Vendasta’s AI Workforce is built specifically for franchising, giving every location the support of always-on AI employees, while franchisors maintain visibility, consistency, and control.
At our booth, you’ll see how to:
- Capture and qualify more leads automatically
- Reduce operational strain without growing headcount
- Deliver fast, on-brand responses across every location
- Gain clear performance insights across your network
Always have an answer ready with AI Receptionist
Never miss an opportunity again. The AI Receptionist responds instantly across phone, SMS, and web chat to capture leads, answer questions, and pre-qualify inquiries 24/7, ensuring franchises stay connected and responsive.
Deliver smart, context-aware AI customer journeys with Vendasta
Vendasta’s platform empowers franchises to deliver exceptional customer experiences by seamlessly integrating AI capabilities across all touchpoints. From appointment booking to personalized follow-ups, our unified system ensures consistency, professionalism, and scalability tailored to franchise needs.
Deep data for you and your AI Workforce
Gain unparalleled visibility into franchise performance. See key metrics for one, some, or your entire network to identify trends, address challenges, and empower franchisees with actionable insights that drive success.
Consolidate vendors in your franchise marketing software
From AI-powered reputation management software to listings and social marketing, our platform brings vendor relationships under one umbrella at the franchiser level, helping you position franchisees for stellar marketing performance.
Meet the team
Visit Vendasta’s dynamic team of experts at booth 1029. Our collective mission is to empower franchises with the tools they need to thrive in the digital landscape. Book a meeting with any member of our team to delve into innovative strategies and unlock pathways to accelerated growth for your franchise endeavors.
Jeff Leach
Director of Enterprise Sales
Jeff Leach
Director of Enterprise Sales
Jeff Leach has been in the Franchise space for over 15 years both as a franchisee and a vendor to the franchise family. Jeff brings a unique perspective understanding firsthand the marketing challenges that a franchisee faces as well as the franchisor challenges of maintaining brand conformity and best practices. Jeff has worked with some of the top franchise brands helping them to grow their business and drive network satisfaction. Jeff earned his CFE in 2018.
Cody Baier
Strategic Partnerships
Cody Baier
Strategic Partnerships
Cody is a relationship-building expert, known for his exceptional ability to connect with clients and prioritize their satisfaction. He excels in creating experiences where clients feel valued, ensuring they are cared for in every interaction. His proficiency in outbound sales is complemented by his talent in managing sales teams, where he applies effective strategies tailored to enterprise-level brands. He consistently has proven he will drive growth and fosters lasting partnerships, making him an invaluable asset to teams that prioritize customer-centric strategies. Cody is currently enrolled in the CFE program with an expected graduation at the 2026 IFA conference.
Dakota Zirk
Sr. Enterprise Account Executive
Dakota Zirk
Sr. Enterprise Account Executive
Dakota excels as a data-driven problem solver, who is adept at simplifying complex problems for large businesses. Through his experience of running his own business, managing sales teams,and problem-solving with some of the top franchises in the industry,Dakota has worked with thousands of business owners. Focusing on emerging marketing trends, advanced analytics, and experimentation – he has earned his way to be a trusted advisor to multiple Franchises and brands with their sales and marketing efforts. Dakota is currently enrolled in the CFE program with an expected graduation at the 2026 IFA conference.
Chris Deianni
Head of Broadly Business Development
Chris Deianni
Head of Broadly Business Development
Chris Deianni is the Head of Business Development at Broadly. Chris has extensive experience in business development, having served in various roles at YP and Ingenio. Chris has a proven track record of developing partnerships and driving growth. Chris is a results-oriented leader with a passion for developing innovative solutions to complex problems.
Ian Adams
Director of Demand Generation
Ian Adams
Director of Demand Generation
4.4 out of 5
4.8 out of 5
4.4 out of 5
Proven Franchise Results
Franchises using Vendasta are increasing lead capture, improving response times, and driving stronger local performance — without added complexity.
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