September 16-17, 2023: Minneapolis - Minneapolis Convention Center

Dave Woggon has been in the franchise industry since 1986 in both funding and franchise exploration roles. As the VP of Development for Tenet Financial Group, he oversees the consulting team and identifies strategic growth opportunities for the company.

Chris Conner has spent the last twenty years working in the franchise development field working primarily with startup and emerging franchise systems. Mr. Conner's work covers a variety of franchise categories including strategic planning, franchise operations, franchise training system development, franchise marketing and franchise sales. In 2009, Mr. Conner founded Franchise Marketing Systems based out of Atlanta, Georgia which today has grown to a team of 34 team members located in markets across the United States and Canada. Franchise Marketing Systems has developed over 700 franchise brands and supported clients in selling over 8,000 franchise units in North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Canada and Southeast Asia. Franchise Marketing Systems has worked with a variety of well known brands and significant franchise systems including Baxter Healthcare, Anytime Fitness, Costco, Ford Motor Company, Delta Airlines, UPS Stores, European Wax Center, Junk King and others.

Mr. Conner’s vision was to develop a model that allowed for efficient, effective and performance based franchise development work to be completed for new and emerging franchisors. The combination of providing consulting and franchise development support along with the franchise sales and marketing model for new brands created more opportunities to more brands to scale and grow through franchising. Chris Conner holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Miami of Ohio and an MBA in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago. He is married to an amazing wife, Dr. Alaina Conner and has two great kids, Ashton and Jameson.

Avinash Nichkawde is an Entrepreneur, Chartered Accountant. International Business Consultant. He started his tax practice in Sydney Australia in 1993 and grew to 7000 clients in 4 years, he later went into International Education Business and at peak managed over 200 employees besides consulting to numerous small to medium companies over the years. He brings vast practical global experience to clients. Born & raised in India, Avinash is a Australian citizen having lived there for over 20 years and now residing permanently in USA, with travels to over 30 countries. He is known for providing out of the box practical solutions for his clients which are very cost effective. Avinash is Advisor to Second Street Capital and iMedGo,Inc, California.

Bill has been in franchising nearly 20 years, primarily as a senior executive leading emerging and established brands. He now owns a consultancy that helps aspiring owners find & fund the franchise businesses that best fit their career, financial & lifestyle goals. Bill has guided franchisees to open more than 1,000 locations nationwide, including here in Chicago. His insider role in helping new owners master, market & move their franchise businesses to new levels of success make him an insightful coach and motivating guest speaker.

Dr. Kimberly Gillette enjoyed a successful career in higher education, but soon found herself at a career crossroads. Encouraged to explore various paths, she considered everything from traditional employment to entrepreneurship. Recognizing her desire for self-sufficiency and to continue making a positive impact, she chose to become a career ownership coach. In this exciting new role, she passionately dedicates herself to empowering others through individualized coaching. Dr. Gillette's unwavering mission is to assist individuals in discovering their potential, fostering personal and professional growth, and achieving a fulfilling and purpose-driven lifestyle. Based in Moorhead, MN, she now thrives as a Career Ownership Coach and entrepreneur.

Paul Atkinson started as a business broker with Sunbelt in 2004 and has vast experience selling all types of businesses. Paul has purchased, founded, operated and sold multiple businesses in his career. Outside of Sunbelt Business Advisors, Paul’s industry experience extends into sheet metal fabrication and machining. In addition, Paul has been involved in food manufacturing and distribution plus the service-related industry.

Paul has a Bachelor of Science Degree in economics from the University of Minnesota as well as a Master’s of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in the new venture from the University of Saint Thomas.

Ms. McAmis is a Franchise and Trusts Attorney with Shelton Law & Associates. Christina has also clerked for the prestigious and Honorable Consuelo Callahan of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Christina shouldered responsibility and embraced challenges as an elite level gymnast at a very young age. She tackled being a business owner before her eighteenth birthday and thrived in the face of a devastating diagnosis. Christina is a metastatic cancer warrior who has overcome adversity to practice law. Before and throughout law school Christina studied Alternative Dispute Resolution including earning a degree in ADR. She is a recipient of the Witkin Award for Mediation. During law school she was also awarded a Soroptomist scholarship; recognized for her legal research and editing skills in the legal Text Book, Understanding Torts 9th edition, and graduated with the elusive “Great Distinction” honors. Christina enjoys “geeking out” in her free time by reading Fantasy and Science Fiction as well as by participating in mock trials and authoring articles for comic book events. She has defended the Winter Soldier and written about Captain America’s military benefits. Now Christina’s writing can be viewed on the BeTheBoss expert legal writers page and in the Franchise Connect Magazine on a fairly regularly basis.

Today Christina enjoys helping others achieve their dreams and overcome adversity. She speaks regularly at Franchise Business Expos and other events to help educate and inspire others.

Emmanuelle has been in the franchise industry for over 20 years, holding many roles including being a multi-unit franchise owner and working on the franchisor side.

Originally from France she came to the U.S. as a student. After a few years in the workforce, she decided to start her own business with a franchise and moved back to France to launch Curves for Women there. She opened the first club with her partners and ended up owning 4 clubs and contributing to build a network of 150 clubs! The largest in France at the time.

Back in the U.S., she worked with two other franchises in the beauty industry (where she owned one location) and in the home service field, where she led a franchise development team. She is now the VP of Franchise Development for a local franchisor, Ellie Mental Mental, and excited to be back in a space promoting well-being in a network with explosive growth..

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children, who she raises bilingual. She enjoys being active, working out regularly, and being outside in the summer, hiking, biking or paddle boarding, and traveling as much as possible.

Tyler Gustafson, along with his wife Jessica, is the owner/operator of Discover Strength Wayzata, the first franchised location of Discover Strength. Discover Strength is a boutique fitness studio focusing on evidence-based one-on-one and small group strength training. Tyler has a background in management consulting, M&A, and served as a submarine officer in the US Navy. He holds advanced degrees in engineering and business administration. Tyler and Jess are excited to be opening a second Discover Strength franchise in Lakeville, MN this fall!