Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine

In a period of disruption to markets and IR programs there can be a risk of value-destructive IR driven by short term-ism. However, there are still opportunities to build credibility with the investor base during volatility and keep your eyes on the bigger picture. This session will take stock of the current market, the exposures on the small cap side and the current focuses for small cap IROs, provide an overview of how new regulations will affect small caps in the coming months, share how companies reacted, and how they should act moving forward.

Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine

AJ Krick, chief financial officer, Smith Midland

Jason Paltrowitz, director and executive vice president, OTC Markets

Vlad Suglobov, co-founder and CEO, G5 Entertainment

With an unprecedented level of volatility in the market and uncertainty in the economy, it’s a challenging time to tell a consistent equity story. Public companies are encouraged to focus on their long-term value proposition, while also providing short-term operational updates. In this session, we will explore how messaging has evolved over the last year, and how you can ensure the market understands your story. We will discuss:

• Best practice examples of quality, compelling small cap communications during this period of volatility.
• Practical steps you can take to adapt your communications to address a potential new investor base.
• How companies can use the IR website and other key digital tools to enhance outreach and communication.

Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine

Jason Fooks, senior vice president of investor relations & marketing, iStar and Safehold

Jason Mead, director of finance, Casella

Taylor Thoen, CEO, executive producer, BTV

Investors will almost always say that they won’t invest in a company without meeting the management team first. But the opportunity to shake hands and look someone in the eye seems far away, so how can small and micro-cap companies run a successful virtual corporate access program? For virtual investor meetings how ambitious should you be with your investor targeting and engagement efforts?

• How do you run an entirely virtual roadshow, and what have been some successes and failures?
• Accessibility: what are some new approaches to corporate access?
• Expanding investor base in crisis mode: what are the best ways to continue to develop new relationships over the next year?
• What is an appropriate use of management’s time?
• How do you manage expectations of virtual engagements while making sure time is used efficiently?
• Are companies planning to integrate virtual strategies into their long-term outreach plans?
• How can small cap IROs get a foot in the door with large investor targeting events?

Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor-at-large, IR Magazine

Stan Kovler, vice president of strategy and investor relations, Extreme Networks

Loren Mortman, president, The Equity Group

Lindsey Reardon, corporate access manager, Wellington Management

How has the small cap investor base evolved? Has there been a move towards passive vs active, value, or short-term investors? What does this mean for long-term prospects for small caps and liquidity?

Mike Coffey, vice president of strategy, Q4

Billy Eckert, head of surveillance and intelligence, Q4

In this session, delegates can participate in a secure video chat with fellow small cap IROs.

– How to run an IR program as a small or micro-cap: how to do more with less – From budgets to press coverage, messaging and marketing, this session will tackle the unique challenges of small and micro-cap companies, and will break down the key components of running an effective small or micro-cap IR program.

Tom Samuelson, founder, Magellan Yates

– Measuring IR to secure resources: Taking a qualitative and quantitative look at IR’s impact
IHS Markit’s latest research examines how the performance of 30 IR Magazine Award winners compares with their peers. In this session we will discuss the results of the study and how IR teams can showcase their achievements to secure resources. Tune in to discover:

• The importance of measuring IR’s impact on volatility and valuation
• Why measuring the impact of IR is important in uncertain times
• How to drive success for IR through building strong relationships

Michael Miller, director, IR advisory, IHS Markit
Jason Oury, managing director, IHS Markit

Sell-side coverage can help small and micro-cap companies gain more visibility, liquidity and trading volume. During times of crisis, a tenured sell-side analyst can also act as an extension of the IR team, helping to reassert a company’s equity story. But the perfect storm of MiFID II and Covid-19 has created a situation where small caps are lacking coverage. In this session, we’ll discuss how companies can stay visible to attract coverage, and what alternatives exist.

• How can global small caps react to the impact of MiFID II on their analyst coverage?
• How have small cap companies improved and increased their work with the sell-side? What are best practice strategies for engaging covering analysts?
• If companies undertake sponsored research, how do you evaluate if research is right for you?

Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine

Victoria Hyde-Dunn, head of investor relations, 8×8

Jason Tsai, head of investor relations, Synaptics

Peter Tsvetkov, director of investor relations, CTT Correios de Portugal

At a time when ESG is gradually becoming an unwavering factor for investors and regulators worldwide, as well as when long-term focused ESG stocks outperform in 2020, it is challenging to know how small caps can keep up. This session will discuss what is realistic for a small cap, and how companies can look to implement an ESG offering without a big spend requirement.

• Why is ESG becoming more important for small caps?
• What will be the post-Covid-19 impact on ESG? How to manage the increasingly important element of social governance.
• How can IR prioritize and manage resources within the business?
• How does a large asset manager evaluate the ESG profile of small caps? What kind of questions to expect.

Moderator: Ben Ashwell, editor, IR Magazine

Martin Jarzebowski, director of responsible investing, vice president, Federated Hermes

Chad Reed, vice president of investor relations and ESG, Hannon Armstrong

Eliza Riego, head of product and service innovation, TMX

This session gives the opportunity to have your questions answered by investors and analysts, understand how the markets are viewing key issues of the day, and what is driving current decisions.

• How are investors looking at companies differently during the current market crisis?
• What are the main priorities and concerns about small cap shares?
• What have been some solid examples of successful communication during Covid-19?

Moderator: Jonathan Dickson, vice president, international corporate services, OTC Markets

Heinrich Ey, co-CIO German and European mid/small caps, Allianz Global Investors 

William Hench, portfolio manager, principal, Royce Investment Partners

Gervais Williams, head of equities, Premier Miton Investors

We will now open the platform up for delegates to try out our 1-1 networking feature. Essentially it is chat roulette, so you will be matched at random with a fellow delegate and you will have a short time to chat and, if you like, exchange contact details.