IR Magazine

IR Magazine Forum – US
IR strategies for 2021

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Virtual event: Available on replay

About the forum

The IR Magazine Forum – US 2021 brought IR professionals together from across the US to plan their IR strategies for the year ahead

A new administration and SEC regime, ongoing uncertainty related to the scale and timelines of Covid-related disruption, and continued growth of ESG changes the regulatory outlook, IR strategies, and communications plans for US issuers.

This forum helped attendees make big decisions around their IR calendar, create a concise messaging plan, and maximize their investor relations efforts in 2021.


AN INTERACTIVE, VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE

Due to current restrictions, the event took place as a virtual experience using our bespoke, cutting-edge technology.

Our virtual event platform closely replicates attending in-person by facilitating interaction with speakers, one-to-one networking with fellow IR professionals, and group roundtable discussions. Going virtual helps you connect with a wider network from the comfort of your desk.


NIRI IRC® CREDENTIAL
Holders of the NIRI IRC® credential can earn up to 4 professional development units (PDUs) per day. IRC-credentialed speakers may also earn PDUs. More information is available at www.niri.org/certification.

Agenda

All times displayed are in Eastern Time (ET)

View PDF Agenda here.

  • 10:30 AM
    Welcome to the IR Magazine Forum – US 2021

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary

  • 10:45 AM
    Regulators and a recovery: Buyside trends and the latest happenings in IR

    As the conduit between markets and management, it is essential to keep your finger on the pulse of market trends and investor sentiment. This session will look at how the buy-side views lifting restrictions and opening up the economy, the regulatory direction with the incoming administration, and more recent news in investor relations.

    • Learn how optimistic investors are about the coming months and the impact of opening up the economy
    • Discover the issues that are top of mind for the buy-side and issuers
    • Understand the direction of travel for future regulations with the backdrop of a new administration and SEC chair
    • Discuss whether the recent increase of retail investors will have a lasting impact on markets, 13F reform, and investor relations

    Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine
    Gregg Lampf, vice president of investor relations, Ciena
    Dylan Yaworski, director of the perception study practice and research center of excellence, Corbin Advisors 

  • 11:30 AM
    2021: The IRO launching pad to loftier success

    Discover how the IR role has evolved and is becoming one of the most critical partnerships to management teams and Boards. Learn about the emerging career opportunities that are taking the spotlight, which will influence the direction of the profession for the next five years.

    • Understand what boards and executives are envisioning for the future of the investor relations function IR leaders
    • How can ambitious IROs become more involved in corporate development, sustainability, strategy, and treasury activities
    • Will the concept of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies impact the IR profession, and if so, how?
    • Have virtual working arrangements affected the IRO role, and how will this affect the future talent pipeline for the profession?

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary
    Smooch Repovich Reynolds, managing director of the global IR and chief communications officer practice group, ZRG Partners

  • 12:00 PM
    Networking and expo break

  • 12:25 PM
    The outlook for stocks and bonds in the context of the broader financial market

    At a time of significant disruption in markets, we look into the impact of recent events on how companies raise funds and the overall effect on the competition for investment dollars on a broader scale. In an environment where “macro matters” more than ever, we hear a top-down perspective on the major market forces that drive earnings.

    • Understand the long-term effect Covid-19 and stock market volatility will have on equities compared to fixed income
    • Learn about the impact of monetary and fiscal stimuli on markets and how liquidity plays into 2021 investment views
    • Debate if the investment industry pays enough attention to tail risks and black swan events?

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary
    Sébastien Page, head of global multi-asset, T. Rowe Price

  • 13:00 PM
    [Roundtable discussion] Transitioning back to hybrid meetings

    In another forward-planning session, we will be using the interactive format to talk through how you can prepare for the transition back to in-person meetings. Join this session to discuss how to manage participation, access, and activism as part of your IR activities.

    Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine
    Simon Bryan, managing director of Americas, Lumi

     

  • 13:30 PM
    Networking break

  • 13:45 PM
    Stream Two: A guide to ESG index and fund inclusion

    In this session, we will provide practical insight into actions teams can take to be included in ESG indexes or large ESG funds, aiming to take the ESG conversation forward from ‘you need to report’ to ‘how and what to disclose.’

    • Learn about the specific disclosures you should focus on to qualify for an ESG fund at large institutional investors
    • Debate the value of ESG teams at funds and how ESG is starting to impact decisions outside of dedicated responsible investment teams
    • Hear about the ESG investors and proxy advisors’ priorities in 2021 and what you can do about it

    Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine
    Andrea DeMarco, senior vice president of investor relations, corporate communications and ESG, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
    Mary Green, portfolio manager, Federated Hermes
    Sonia Zugel, chief executive officer, ESG Playbook

  • 13:45 PM
    Stream One: Post-pandemic messaging and attracting analyst coverage

    Share ideas about what companies can do with strategic communication plans to attract the right investors as we come out of the pandemic. In particular, this session will focus on the content of their messaging and which mediums can best deliver that message.

    • Will Covid-19 permanently change investor behaviors and priorities?
    • How to increase your company management’s visibility in the broader media
    • What are investors and analysts looking for in 2021 from businesses, and will companies need to suspend guidance in 2021?
    • How are will different investors be affected in this environment, and what you can do to tailor your approach

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary
    Kurt Barton, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, Tractor Supply Corporation
    Antonella Franzen, vice president, chief investor relations and chief communications officer, Johnson Controls
    Andy Rusie, chief financial officer, Whole Earth Brands
    Mary Winn Pilkington, senior vice president of investor relations and public relations, Tractor Supply Corporation

  • 14:30 PM
    International exposure and opportunities for new capital sources exposed by the pandemic

    This session explores opportunities created by the pandemic for increased targeting of international analysts and investors. Discuss how to get more value out of shareholder ID activities and apply strategies to internationalize your shareholder base.

    • Ascertain whether internationalizing your investor base by discussing the pros and cons of targeting global investors
    • Understand the different routes and mechanisms, and communication tools that you can use to get noticed by the international investment community
    • Learn about the nuances of going on the road in alternative markets, and understand what investors expect in terms of meeting structure
    • Discuss the impact that Mifid II has had on international investors and what you can do to overcome the challenges of having holders from regions that don’t disclose as much as home-country investors
    • Learn about the latest regional trends uncovered by the IR Magazine Roadshow Report and apply them to your targeting strategy

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary
    Ari Davies, global head of corporate analytics, IHS Markit
    Victoria Hyde-Dunn, head of investor relations, 8×8
    Keri Mattox, senior vice president of investor relations and chief communications officer, Zimmer Biomet
    Gervais Williams, head of equities, Premier Miton Investors

     

  • 15:15 PM
    Networking break

  • 15:30 PM
    How marketing calendars are evolving and what lies ahead for IR meetings

    IR teams have done a brilliant job at shifting to virtual investor meetings, but how issuers will deliver their equity story is changing. This session explores the trends in how IR teams are approaching their marketing activities and provides advice on how to approach specific investor touch-points.

    • Get data-driven insight into how IR teams are approaching their investor engagement this year
    • Hear specific advice on how to make the most out of NDRs. Conferences, AGMs, Capital Market Days and Earnings calls
    • How can you turn virtual meeting data into actions?

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary
    Mark Loehr, chief executive officer, OpenExchange

  • 16:00 PM
    Making meetings matter… How to adapt to changes in corporate access

    The combination of Covid-19 and Mifid II impacts changed the nature of corporate access. In this discussion, we explore the strategies and actions IR professionals can take to maximize the use of their management’s time.

    • Learn about the future of non-deal roadshows, investor conferences, and meetings – what do IROs need to know?
    • Discover how to make the most of your engagements and learn how to leverage relationships with corporate access professionals
    • Debate the credentials of different roadshows approaches in the virtual environment: Should you still organize your roadshows by region?
    • Hear top-tips about how best to maximize management’s time and create meetings that matter

    Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine
    Mark Labay, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Everi
    Catherine Miles, director and head of corporate events, SVB Leerink
    Kim Pinyopusarerk, investor relations manager, Callon Petroleum Company

  • 16:45 PM
    Networking break

  • 17:00 PM
    Making the most of your virtual shareholder meetings

    Increased adoption of virtual shareholder engagements demonstrated the need to improve processes and policies surrounding the format. This session will discuss the practical and strategic aspects around admitting beneficial shareholders and delivering an effective AGM.

    • Learn lessons from challenges faced during previous virtual shareholder meetings
    • Discuss what considerations need to be made for the proxy process to ensure that virtual AGMs best replicate an in-person meeting
    • Discover the practical steps that you can take to provide access to beneficial owners

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary
    Sherry Murdoch Moreland, president and chief operating officer, Mediant Communications

  • 17:30 PM
    Natural Language Processing’s role in an investor relations program

    Given the increased focus of natural language processing and machine learning from investors, we examine how this emerging practice impacts an investor relations officer’s role.

    • Discover the adoption of these techniques among investors and how much of a material impact they have on IR teams.
    • Is it a better use of IR teams’ time to focus on algorithms or the use of NLP as a feedback mechanism?
    • Control your controllables: Debate whether it is a better use of IR teams’ time to focus on algorithms or the use of NLP in your shareholder targeting
    • Discover the type of NLP applications beyond single words and generic sentiment that you can use to build trust with your investors.

    Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary
    Nick Mazing, director of research, Sentieo

  • 17:45 PM
    Summary and end of conference

    Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary

What our virtual attendees say

"I'm so glad I joined the event.  It really exceeded my expectations. Thanks for your hard work to put together this event."

The Piacente Group

"The event was really well, no suggestions on how to improve it better. It was perfect. "

ESG Playbook

"Great content and speakers. Very relevant."

SVB LEERINK

"Refreshing to hear new ideas and other's perspectives. Easy format to come and go virtually."

Clear Channel Outdoor

"Lots of topics that are very top of mind for investor relations executives."

CVS Health

"Very interesting and on trend topics, with an all star line up of very engaged and dynamic speakers, from IRO's to industry experts. I attended the event last year and so enjoyed it; it was even more delightful and informative this year."

Sprouts Farmers Market

"Platform was great, networking with others was fun. Sessions were generally good."

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

"Well put together, variety of relevant topics and speakers."

Mithra Advisors

Speakers

To inquire about speaking at future forums, please contact [email protected] or call +44 20 3865 8103


Who attended

Our attendees are leading IR practitioners from across the US. Each participant is someone with an established track record and a strategic IR role within their company. Below is a sample list of attendees that joined us at this year’s forum:

Attendee Company Attendee Title
Everspin Technologies Chief financial officer
Groupon Chief communications officer
Whole Earth Brands Chief financial officer
Schnitzer Steel Industries Deputy chief financial officer and chief accounting officer
InBank Director of strategy and investor relations
Townsquare Media Inc Executive vice president of investor relations and corporate communications
TCF Financial Executive vice president of corporate development, strategy and head of investor relations
Everi Executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer
Tractor Supply Company Executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer
RingCentral Head of investor relations
8×8 Head of investor relations
Amdocs Head of investor relations
Zoom Investor relations manager
The Hershey Company Manager of stockholder relations
AIG Managing director of investor relations
CVS Health Senior director of investor relations
TTM Technologies Senior director of corporate development and investor relations
MultiPlan Senior vice president of finance and investor relations
ATI Physical Therapy Senior vice president, treasurer and investor relations
Clear Channel Outdoor Vice president of investor relations
Johnson Controls Vice president, chief investor relations and chief communications officer
Medtronic Vice president and head of investor relations
Axon Group Vice president of investor relations and corporate strategy
Omnicell Vice president of investor relations
Equinix Vice president of investor relations and sustainability
Atlassian Vice president of investor relations


Request full attendee list

Become a partner

Why partner with us?

The IR Magazine Forum – US brings together some of the most influential people in the IR community.

The event offers an effective approach to targeting clients when exploring how they can improve their IR practice. Our events are guaranteed to attract a qualified audience through our unrivaled knowledge of the subject matter and commitment to in-depth agenda research.

Far beyond a simple webinar, our multi-faceted and highly interactive virtual events create a unique buzz and facilitate great engagement with investor relations heads. Our partners have meaningful conversations with corporates that are looking to invest in their IR program. 

As a partner for this event, you will generate leads, showcase your thought leadership, and position yourselves as the partner of choice to the IR community.

We’d love to have a chat with you about how you can get in front of a truly engaged and motivated audience at the IR Magazine Forum – US. Get in touch with Ian Richman or call on +1 212 430 6865.

In the last 12 months, IR Magazine’s virtual events have attracted the highest, most diverse, and senior attendees and experts in the investor relations community.

Partners

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