IR Magazine

IR Magazine Think Tank – East Coast
Exclusively for heads of IR

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

In-person event: etc.venues, 360 Madison Avenue, New York

About the think tank

The IR Magazine Think Tank – East Coast took place on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in New York and was an invitation-only event exclusively for senior IR officers. Our thinks tanks are free to attend and our unique format enables participants to network extensively, discuss, debate and dissect topical issues affecting today’s IROs.

What makes our format so unique?
Our think tanks are far removed from the traditional conference set-up as the event consists of a series of panel sessions followed by roundtable discussions on select IR issues. These interactive sessions are an opportunity to share experiences with and learn from other top-rated IROs. All table discussions are confidential and none of the participants’ comments are attributed. This allows attendees to talk freely and have frank, open discussions.

How do our roundtable discussions work?
  Industry experts, top-rated IROs and members of the investment community set the agenda on a panel discussion by sharing their thoughts on session topics.
 Small round tables of IROs discuss these issues face to face.
 Each table gives feedback from its own discussion and shares ideas with the group as a whole.


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Agenda

Click here to view the PDF agenda

All times displayed are in Eastern Time (ET)

  • 08:30 AM
    Registration and networking

  • 09:00 AM
    Welcome to the think tank

    Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine

  • 09:05 AM
    Macroeconomic trends – Inflation, sanctions and supply-chain disruption

    As economies worldwide emerge from the pandemic, we are starting to enter a period of uncertainty and recovery. With the recent invasion of Ukraine, upcoming mid-term elections and disruption to global supply chains, investors and IROs are looking for guidance on what is coming next. In this panel, we will explore the following subjects:

    • Assessing the impacts of the Ukraine crisis on local and global supply chains
    • The implications of an inflationary environment on costs, pricing and sector rotation
    • Market outlook: What are the key drivers of economic growth on the road to recovery?

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
    Ohsung Kwon, vice president, US equity strategy, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
    Parker Ross, global chief economist, Arch Capital

  • 09:35 AM
    Assessing the legacy of the pandemic on shareholder activism and M&A 

    As the dust from Covid-19 settles, we now look to the longer-term impacts of the pandemic on M&A activity and shareholder activism. We will explore what has changed, what is expected, and how IR teams should prepare during this session.

    • Reflecting on the impact of the pandemic and recent unstable market conditions on M&A and activism
    • Who is most at risk of activism and hostile M&A in the current environment, and what steps can IR teams take to prepare?
    • How are activist tactics changing, and how should targeted companies respond?

    Moderator: Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine
    Kai Liekefett, partner, Sidley Austin
    Michael Verrechia, managing director, M&A and activism, Morrow Sodali

  • 10:05 AM
    Roundtables: Navigating inflationary environments post-pandemic

  • 10:35 AM
    Morning coffee break

  • 10:45 AM
    The best way to measure and report your company’s ESG performance 

    With the SEC increasing the pressure on how public companies disclose ESG information, IR teams need to be prepared to deal with the transition from voluntary to mandatory reporting. This session will discuss the direction the SEC is taking regarding ESG and how other companies are managing the ongoing integration of financial and ‘non-financial’ disclosures.

    • An update on how ESG regulation and disclosure requirements are changing: What needs to be done now?
    • The best way to measure and report your company’s ESG performance: What do investors want?
    • Longer-term expectations around SEC requirements: What does the future hold?

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
    Nick Belfanti, product specialist, Sentieo
    Jaymin Desai, director of strategy, Planetly by Onetrust

  • 11:15 AM
    Company purpose and culture in the age of ESG

    Staying compliant with mandatory reporting rules is critical, but given the rapid evolution of ESG, it is just as important to encourage long term ESG thinking. This panel will look at how to prioritize ESG activities, tie together different parts of the business into a succinct ESG story and go beyond a culture of compliance to a culture of best practice. Topics include:

    • The shift towards stakeholder capitalism and what that means for ESG
    • Working across teams to cultivate and communicate a holistic ESG strategy
    • What do investors want to see in your sustainability reports?

    Moderator: Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine
    Andrew Ciafardini, chief sustainability officer, FIS Global
    Varsha Doshi, regional ESG senior manager, S&P Global Market Intelligence
    Christina Wong, director, ESG integration, BlackRock

  • 11:45 AM
    Roundtables: Turning long-term ESG visions into action

  • 12:15 PM
    Lunch break

  • 13:15 PM
    Corporate access trends – Reaching the right people in the right way

    The sudden transition to online working had a considerable effect on how the sell-side and buy-side operate, but it also helped catalyze existing trends. In this session, our panellists will reflect on the impact (both positive and negative) the pandemic has had on corporate access and how best to target and engage with investors. We will cover:

    • Reflecting on some of the most significant changes to corporate access
    • Directly targeting the buy-side: trends, technology and best practice
    • The increasing importance of retail investors and how best to engage them
    • Identifying and targeting active investors as ETFs continue to grow

    Moderator: Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine
    Elizabeth Librizzi, SVP head of corporate access and advisory services, Alliance Bernstein
    Caspar Tudor, director, head of investor relations, Waters Corporation
    David Whyte, CEO and co-founder, Irwin

  • 13:45 PM
    Running successful hybrid events – Tools, technology and best practice

    With the appetite for in-person events returning, there is a real opportunity to combine the efficiency of remote working with the richness of face-to-face meetings. This panel will look at:

    • How quickly companies are getting back on the road, and what the right balance is between online and in-person meetings
    • How to make the most of management’s time in an age of constant virtual exposure
    • Which platforms and service providers the industry prefers

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
    Rich Babineau, director of issuer solutions, Mediant
    Lynn Antipas Tyson, executive director of IR, Ford Motor Company

  • 14:15 PM
    Roundtables: Practical insights on engaging with investors in a hybrid world

  • 14:45 PM
    Elevated expectations: How management teams and boards of directors have raised the bar for IROs

    Smooch Repovich Rosenberg, chief talent solutions innovator, SmoochUnplugged

  • 15:00 PM
    Adapting to new normal: the evolving role of the IRO 

    The perception of IR has changed considerably throughout the past few years, and so has the IRO’s role. With an increasing number of IROs joining from the sell side, companies are starting to emphasize strategic thinking, broad technical knowledge and a keen understanding of how financial markets work. Here we will discuss:

    • The changing culture of IR: Assessing and evaluating the new normal
    • How ESG and remote working trends are influencing IRO skillsets
    • Trends in hiring practices, management and career development

    Moderator: Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine
    Travis Lan, SVP, corporate finance and business development, Valley National Bank
    Jill Slattery, SVP and head of IR, Hilton
    Steve Winoker, VP of investor relations, General Electric

  • 15:30 PM
    Roundtables: IR and beyond – Career development and upskilling strategies

  • 16:00 PM
    Buy-side panel: What do investors want from IR in a hybrid world?

    During this open Q&A session, our panel of investors will address any concerns and questions you may have about the coming months. This is an opportunity to engage with a broad range of investors in a frank and open environment. Topics up for discussion include:

    • What is the right balance for online and in-person engagement?
    • How exactly does ESG information influence your investment decisions?
    • What are your expectations from IROs in the current market environment?

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
    Kristen Lang, deputy director, ESG investing, Boston Trust Walden
    Griffin Newman, portfolio manager, Point72 Asset Management

  • 16:30 PM
    Closing remarks and drinks reception

    Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine

Speakers

To inquire about speaking at future think tanks, please contact [email protected] or call +44 20 8004 4818


What our attendees say

"I liked the topics and the layout between listening to speakers, which led to the roundtable discussions"

Compass Diversified

"Well run, interesting panels"

Anonymous

"This is the event of the year - a must have and not to miss! I never miss this event!"

8x8

"A great use of my time in terms of staying current with trends in IR and an exceptional networking event"

Cambium Networks

"This event is a great balance of content, discussion and networking"

eBay

"Content was right on the mark and appreciate the opportunity to attend. Perfect amount of time, excellent content and speakers and the location was great"

Avaya Holdings

"Great event for networking and best practices"

Zendesk

"A well run event with a relaxed atmosphere conducive to sharing ideas and networking"

eBay

"Always tough to get out of the office for a day of training but this event is well worth it!"

Avaya Holdings

Who attends our events

Our attendees are leading IR practitioners with an established track record and strategic IR role within their company.

Below is a sample list of attendees who join our think tank:

 

Job title Company Job title Company
Director, IR Vuzix Senior vice president, IR Comcast
Director, IR General Electric Senior vice president, IR Coty
Director, IR Flushing Financial Senior vice president, IR Estee Lauder
Director, IR ORIX Corporation Senior vice president, IR CVS Health
Director, IR Jushi Holdings Vice president Hannon Armstrong
Senior director, head of IR Lantheus Holdings Vice president, head of IR Starbucks
Senior director, IR Becton Dickinson Vice president, IR Ingersoll Rand
Senior director, IR & corporate communications TCR2 Therapeutics Vice president, IR Quotient Technology
Senior vice president, director of IR Chubb Vice president, IR Roku
Senior vice president, head of IR & treasury Nielsen Vice president, IR Campbell
Senior vice president, IR SmartRent Vice president, IR WW International
Senior vice president, IR CACI Vice president, IR Ciena

 

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Partners

Register your interest for 2023

Register your interest for the 2023 think tank by filling in the form at the link below. You will be the first to receive important updates about the event and details about how to request an invite.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Cawte at [email protected] or call +44 20 8004 5340.

 

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