Is attendance at Christies International Real Estate's annual conference mandatory?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Annual Conference. You must attend any annual conference or conference that we sponsor or designate. You must pay to us our then-current Annual Conference Fee and you are responsible for all travel and living expenses. If you fail to attend the annual conference without our prior written consent, you must pay our then-current fee for two people for failing to attend the conference.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 26–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate Franchise Disclosure Document, attendance at the annual conference is mandatory. Franchisees must attend any annual conference that Christies International Real Estate sponsors or designates. Franchisees are responsible for paying the then-current Annual Conference Fee, as well as all travel and living expenses associated with attending the conference.
If a franchisee fails to attend the annual conference without obtaining prior written consent from Christies International Real Estate, they must pay a fee equivalent to the then-current fee for two people failing to attend the conference. This policy underscores the importance Christies International Real Estate places on franchisee participation in these events.
Mandatory conferences are not uncommon in franchising. They allow the franchisor to communicate important updates, provide additional training, and foster a sense of community among franchisees. However, franchisees should factor in the costs associated with attending these conferences, including registration fees, travel, lodging, and the potential penalty for non-attendance, when evaluating the overall financial investment of the franchise.