How Conference Helps Franchisees Learn On™

A highlight of each year is the Kiddie Academy^® Annual Conference. This year will be the 19th time we’ve convened and the second straight year we’ve done so virtually as a result of COVID-19 precautions. But even though we’re not physically together, we’re still able to Learn On^™.

Learn On is a slogan very familiar throughout the Kiddie Academy community. It’s a message we use to talk about the learning experience that starts for students in our Academies. But it also applies to those who work on the business side. Learning never stops, especially at conference time.

“We’re a catalyst for learning, whether we’re talking about the tens of thousands of children we care for every day, or the Franchisees who own the Academies,” said Nicole Salla, our Chief Marketing Officer. “Learn On is all about empowering people to explore their natural sense of curiosity and nurture a love of discovery. It’s the same whether you’re in the classroom or the business office. Conference is where we stoke that learning momentum for Franchisees.”

Opportunities to Learn and Grow

Kevin Murphy, Kiddie Academy’s Chief Operating Officer, said conference offers lots of opportunities for attendees to learn and grow. “Our annual conference improves each year with the development of new and relevant training content, innovation sessions, engaging keynote speakers and more. But, to a greater degree, the value of the conference grows each year in proportion to the expansion of our franchise community. As our system rapidly approaches 300 Academies, the collective resource that our community of Franchisees represents provides a unique opportunity to network and share experiences, solutions and best practices with an extraordinary array of colleagues from across the nation.”

Like Kevin noted, there are many learning opportunities built into the conference agenda for the hundreds of Franchisees who attend each year. Topics typically include updates on key corporate initiatives, industry and educational trends, and exploration of other business issues that Franchisees have indicated are important to them. The past two years, in particular, have included updates on developments related to the pandemic.

Conference also includes ways attendees can Learn On in more casual settings. There are networking sessions where attendees can catch up with their peers, corporate staff and vendors; group outings (during in-person conferences) to enjoy attractions in the host cities; and a culminating awards ceremony to recognize outstanding work throughout the franchise community.

What Conference Attendees Are Saying

Our Franchisees echo the sentiments about the value of the annual conference as a source of learning. Here are quotes from some recent attendees:

“A lot of the owners are going through the same thing and we can support each other. Networking with peers and with the Kiddie Academy corporate management team helps us learn about the company’s various initiatives and how they’re being implemented in different locations.”

“It was nice to meet so many colleagues from all over the country. I enjoyed learning from others and hearing things I can take back and use to empower and create ‘wow moments’ for our Academy’s staff.”

“I’ve found the conference to be a very useful resource for information. I get to talk to other experienced Franchisees and I also get to meet vendors in person and ask questions about what they offer. That’s time saving at its best.”

Of course, our Franchisees’ ability to Learn On goes far beyond our annual conference. Before an Academy opens for business, Franchisees start with classroom and hands-on training at our headquarters in Maryland, so they open their doors with a strong sense of our brand and best practices. There, Franchisees and their Academy Director will learn all about our proprietary Life Essentials^® curriculum and educational philosophy and our best operating practices.

Unmatched training continues throughout the lifetime of an Academy, with ongoing webinars, a vast virtual resource library, one-on-one support from a dedicated Franchise Business Consultant and access to industry experts in marketing, early childhood education, human resource, technology and more.

We would love to have you Learn On with us at future conferences. If you’re interested in becoming a part of the Kiddie Academy Franchisee community, start by filling out this no-obligation questionnaire. If you’re awarded an opportunity to sign a Franchise Agreement before October 1, 2021, you’re eligible for a special credit of up to $15,000 off Kiddie Academy^® Educational Child Care’s Initial Fee.