CARROLLTON, Texas, Jan. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/-- Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., will speak at The Washington Post's State of the Union Summit this Monday, January 29, 2018. Catherine is representing the International Franchise Association and will kick off the first panel at 2:30pm ET, promoting franchising and talking about the IFA's economic forecast for 2018.

FASTSIGNS logo (PRNewsFoto/FASTSIGNS)

The event will include one-on-one's with Washington officials and journalists, and is expected to be standing room with over 600 guests. The event will be live streamed; you can follow this link to receive the live stream notification: https://livestreamsotupreview.splashthat.com/

"It is an honor to be included in The Washington Post's State of the Union Summit." said Monson. "I look forward to sharing the IFA's positive economic forecast for 2018. Strong economic fundamentals, a boost from the tax reform and a favorable regulatory environment set the stage for business growth in 2018."

A 30-year veteran of the print and visual communications industry, Monson is an accomplished executive and leader. She has advanced the FASTSIGNS® brand to become "More Than", helping it evolve into a leading visual ideas and comprehensive graphic communications solutions provider and has had numerous leadership positions in the International Franchise Association, advocating for franchising and small business.

About Catherine Monson
Catherine became CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. in 2009, bringing over 30 years of franchising and management experience. In 2009, she received the International Franchise Association (IFA) Bonny LeVine Award in recognition of her contributions to the growth of the franchising industry and in 2010, the Dallas Business Journal named her a top Women Industry Leader in the Dallas Metroplex. In 2012, Catherine appeared on the Emmy Award-winning series Undercover Boss to learn new ways to advance the FASTSIGNS® brand. In 2015, she received the International Franchise Association's (IFA) first Franchise Action Network FAN of the Year award for her advocacy work in the franchising community. In 2016, she was selected as a Soderstrom Society Inductee for her contributions to the printing and graphic communications industry and was also honored with the 2016 Leadership Award from the Women That Soar organization. In 2017, she received the Distinguished Women Award presented by Northwood University. Catherine was also selected as the 2018 Ambassador of Free Enterprise by Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI), joining the Sales & Marketing Hall of Fame in the SMEI Academy of Achievement. Catherine currently serves on the Board of Directors of the IFA and acts as Secretary. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for two franchise companies - The Learning Experience® and Brain Balance – and one other industry association, Idealliance. 

About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 675 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in eight countries including the U.S., Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or on LinkedIn. For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or call 214.346.5679).

About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.

Contact:
Vanessa Davidson
Corporate Communications 
FASTSIGNS®     
214-346-5744 or Vanessa.Davidson@fastsigns.com

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SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.