IR Magazine

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

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

El Prado Hotel, Palo Alto

Our unique format

The IR Magazine Think Tank – West Coast took place on Wednesday, March 22 in Palo Alto as an invitation-only event exclusively for senior IR officers. Our think 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 is 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 discussion and shares ideas with the group as a whole.


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: 2023

ENGAGE | MEASURE | ADAPT

This year’s agenda aims to discuss how IR can enhance communication efforts, better evaluate their impact and adapt to changing externalities… all in our unique, interactive Think Tank format.

Click here to see the agenda as a pdf

 

  • 08:00 AM
    Registration, breakfast and morning networking

  • 08:45 AM
    Welcome to the IR Magazine Think Tank – West Coast 2023

  • 09:00 AM
    Opening Keynote: Navigating a volatile economic landscape

    To set the scene for the day, we discuss the external factors contributing to market volatility and explore how IR teams need to change in a market where equities are out-of-favor.

    • Market outlook: hear how forecasts for inflation, interest rates, supply chains and geopolitical risk impact investor decision-making
    • Debate how the role of IR changes in a market dislocation
    • Investor engagement: discuss how best to communicate effectively in a challenging market
    • Horizon scanning: how to best prepare yourself for market-wide risk in 2023

    Moderator: Lauren McDonald, conference producer, IR Magazine

    Rebecca Corbin, founder and CEO, Corbin Advisors

    Uma Moriarity, senior investment strategist and global ESG lead, CenterSquare Investment Management

  • 09:30 AM
    Build your investor base in 2023

    As companies plan their marketing calendars, this panel will help you understand how IROs can identify and engage new investor targets during a market downturn and improve your capital-raising efforts.

    • Learn innovative ways to target and engage new investors in a risk-off market
    • Hear how companies are using stock surveillance to enhance their targeting efforts in today’s market
    • Maximize c-suite time: Discuss how best to utilize leadership through investor-facing activities
    • Discover which metrics matter most: Analyze the most important factors to assess investor suitability and make the most out of your tools

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine

    Mark Fasken, co-founder and COO, Irwin

    Chip Newcom, senior director of investor relations, Equinix

     

  • 10:00 AM
    Roundtables on building investor base and IR's role in the current macro environment

  • 10:30 AM
    Networking break

  • 11:00 AM
    Not another ESG session: Practical ways to control your ESG narrative

    In a break from typical ESG discussions, this session will utilize case studies to highlight practical ways companies are enhancing their ESG measurement and disclosures.

    • Learn how companies are staying ahead of the curve with their ESG disclosure efforts
    • Hear how companies select the metrics that are most material and how companies are using data to tell their story most effectively
    • Understand what companies are doing to better target their ESG investors

    Moderator: Lauren McDonald, conference producer, IR Magazine 

    Joanne Medero, independent director, Nuveen Funds

  • 11:30 AM
    Ensuring a peaceful AGM: Being prepared for shareholder activism in today's market

    This panel will look at how to navigate increasing involvement from investors around social and political issues while providing insight into how IROs can keep the expanding sphere of stakeholders in their consideration. It will cover the following:

    • Discuss why improving governance is becoming an important part of the IR role
    • Proactive engagement: how IROs can engage shareholders on governance issues
    • Share best practices about how IROs can best prepare for and respond to activist campaigns

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine

    Steve Austenfeld, VP of investor relations, The Honest Company

    Kate Scolnick, CFO, Owlet Baby Care

     

  • 12:00 PM
    Roundtables on Governance and ESG practicalities

  • 12:30 PM
    CASE STUDY: Practical applications of AI in investor relations

    The launch of ChatGPT has led to IR Officers exploring the use of artificial intelligence in their roles, asking how it can improve efficiency and free up time to focus on more strategic tasks.

    Much of these discussions can be theoretical, but we have found a company that has been using AI as part of their earnings call process to help maximize management’s time and broaden the reach of their quarterly results.

    • Hear a real-world case study about how Veritone are using AI as part of their shareholder communications
    • Understand the limitations and benefits of AI as it relates to your work
    • Get ideas about how you can enhance productivity in your role, and maximize reach in your financial communications.

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine 
    Ryan Steelberg, CEO and president, Veritone

  • 12:45 PM
    Lunch

  • 13:45 PM
    DEBATE: How to handle unfavorable analysts

    Take part in this debate and answer the question, “Should IROs try to turn analysts around or focus their time on analysts that understand their story?” During this session, we also consider how IROs engage with analysts who assess their stock negatively. This exciting panel with a new format will discuss the following:

    • Whether IROs should attempt to change the mind of analysts who give their stock a ‘sell’ rating, or if their time is better spent with optimistic analysts?
    • Learn how IROs engage analysts who do not support your company’s vision
    • Share ways to communicate with analysts if your sector is out of favor

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine

    RJ Pellegrino, head of TMT corporate access, Cowen

    Samuel Wilson, interim CEO, 8×8

  • 14:15 PM
    How to prepare an effective earnings call

    This panel examines examples of best practices when it comes to reducing risk and maximizing impact during earnings calls. Enhancing your skills in this critical part of the IR role:

    • Preparation: hear time-saving tips and maximize your efficiency in advance of the call
    • Examine how the market looks at Non-GAAP metrics
    • Understand which stories to prioritize: how to utilize sales data and team ideas
    • Learn how to make an impact in the media following your quarterly results

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine 

    Erik Carlson, COO and CFO, Notified

    Jill Sawyer, head of investor relations, Prologis

  • 14:45 PM
    Roundtables on communicating and managing relationships with analysts

  • 15:15 PM
    Break

  • 15:45 PM
    Investor Q&A: Have all your questions answered by the buy side!

    Our ever-popular investor Q&A session is back. Leading portfolio managers will answer any question to help you understand how investors think and what they want from companies in the current environment.

    • Hear about the top concerns investors have in the current market
    • Learn about what portfolio managers need IRs and senior management to do better
    • Understand how best to approach the buy side in today’s environment

    Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine

    Lori Keith, director of research and portfolio manager, Parnassus Investments

    Roger Mortimer, portfolio manager, KraneShares Advisors

    Elliott Wilson, portfolio manager, Woodline Partners

  • 16:15 PM
    Summary of discussions and end of the conference

  • 16:30 PM
    Happy hour drinks reception

Speakers: 2023

For all agenda inquiries, please contact [email protected]


What our attendees say

"The open discussions and the general inclusiveness of the community in San Francisco was amazing."

Anonymous

"Amazing topics and interaction/roundtables! I thought all the topics were incredibly relevant and the speakers thorough and knowledgeable. I especially loved the IR situation room at the end (and fantastic idea to break it up by years of experience)!"

Airbnb

"Great venue. Solid attendance, Good discussions with other IROs, good networking. Everyone was very open to chatting. Great topics, speakers and roundtables."

Applied Materials

"Interactive sessions were great, as were the speakers. Great opportunity to network."

Anonymous

"High quality content that touched on a number of very topical areas."

Blackberry

"This was the best IR Magazine Think Tank ever. I sat with a great bunch of IROs, and the discussion was informative."

Cambium Networks

Attendees

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

Below is a sample list of current attendees:

Job title Company Job title Company
Board member Nuveen Sr. manager, IR Box
CFO Owletts SVP, finance and IR Yelp
CFO Pacific Biosciences of California SVP, finance and IR Zscaler
CFO and interim CEO 8×8 SVP, IR Forge Global
Director, IR American Vanguard Corporation VP, IR Electronic Arts
Director, IR Flex VP, corp dev & IR Samsara
Director, IR Splunk VP, corporate development and IR e.l.f. Beauty
Head of IR Atlassian Corporation VP, corporate finance and IR Universal Technical Institute
Head of IR Comtech VP, finance Icertis
Head of IR DocuSign VP, Head of IR Upstart
Head of IR HP VP, investor and industry analyst Cambium Networks
Head of IR Newmark Group VP, Investor Relations Lucid Software
Head of IR Poshmark VP, IR Caribou Biosciences, Inc.
Head of IR Prologis VP, IR Central & Garden & Pet
Head of IR, ESG Sterling Infrastructure VP, IR Crowdstrike
Portfolio manager KraneShares VP, IR Gen
Senior director, IR Sumo Logic VP, IR Informatica
Senior investment strategist Centresquare VP, IR and business development Allbirds
Senior manager of IR Zoom VP, IR and risk management CooperCompanies
Senior manager, IR Applied Material VP, IR and strategic finance AEye

 

Request full attendee list

Become a partner

Why partner with us?

Our events provide a unique opportunity to get in front of some of the most influential people in the IR community globally. As a partner, you will gain an extensive amount of exposure through a wide range of print and digital marketing materials, both pre and post event, as well as on the day itself. Additionally, you can use the event to align yourself with industry excellence and network with key decision makers from across the region.

Being a partner will provide:

  • A chance to network with qualified, senior decision-makers in the IR community
  • Increased awareness and credibility through association with this leading event
  • New business opportunities through higher-brand presence among current and potential clients

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 Think Tank – West Coast. Get in touch with Ian Richman or call on +1 212 430 6865.

Partners

Venue

We are delighted to hold the think tank at:

El Prado Hotel
520 Cowper Street
Palo Alto
CA 94301
US

Accommodation:
Attendees of the think tank can obtain 15% off room bookings at the El Prado Hotel by booking via this link. The discount is provided for the best available rate at the time of booking, subject to availability.

IR Magazine has also arranged for discounted rates at nearby hotels located a short distance away from the venue. Click here to view the hotels and rates.

Request an invite: September

This event is exclusively for senior corporate, in-house IR professionals.

To register for our September event, please fill in the form below and if you are eligible, we will send you a confirmation along with detailed event information.

If you have any questions please contact Thomas Williams at [email protected] or +44 208 090 2156.

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To view our privacy policy in full, please click here.