IR Magazine

IR Magazine Think Tank – West Coast
PRIORITIZE, CREATE AND OPTIMIZE

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel, San Francisco

Our Unique Format

The IR Magazine Think Tank – West Coast takes place on Thursday, September 19 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. For more information about the Investor Relations Charter (IRC)®, please visit www.niri.org/certification.

 

Agenda: 2024

Please see below the 2024 agenda.

Click here to view a pdf version.

Timings on the agenda are shown in Pacific Time (PT)

 

  • 08:00 AM
    Registration, refreshments and networking

  • 08:45 AM
    Welcome to the IR Magazine Think Tank

    Steve Wade, Head of Content, IR Magazine

  • 09:00 AM
    Controlling the narrative in times of low valuations

    With so many factors affecting the rise and fall of a company’s value, it is essential for IROs to understand the factors that govern these movements. In this panel we will focus on the methods IROs can use in a low valuation environment, specifically looking at how to control your company narrative and which communication channels to use when engaging current and potential investors.

    • Learn how to align your equity story with those investors that fit your company in today’s market
    • Discover how to successfully communicate your position in a risk-off market
    • Debate how to act if the buy side narrative is wrong – understand the most effective communication channels to use to challenge this narrative
    • Changing your communication strategy to optimize your company’s value when others in your market have had bad earnings
    • Discuss how to differentiate yourself from a sector that is out of favor with investors

    Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Magazine
    Aron Feingold,  vice president of investor relations and corporate communications, Geron Corporation
    Jason McGruder, head of investor relations, Newmark
    Peter Schuman, vice president of investor relations, industry analyst and public relations, Cambium Networks

  • 09:30 AM
    Aligning communications with milestones in the IR calendar

    IR professionals have many milestones to work towards throughout their calendar year. Milestones such as quarterly earnings, proxy season, the annual meeting, annual reports and at each point the information they need, people they address and channels they use to communicate will change. In this panel we will assess how IROs can ensure they are prioritizing enough time to each milestone, differentiating their communications accordingly and using the most relevant channels to optimize their outreach.

    • How to position yourself as the thought leader and strategic catalyst behind your company’s communications
    • Learn how to tie major investor communications to both your company and product news
    • What are the various recurring cycles on the calendar and how can IROs streamline their communications
    • Debate how to differentiate the message based on the IR activity
    • Understand how to foster effective cross-department collaboration at these points in the year.

    Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Magazine
    Alexandra Chan, senior director investor relations, Salesforce
    Linda Pazin, head of strategic communications, Sempra
    Emily Tadano, vice president of investor relations and ESG, Meritage Homes

     

  • 10:00 AM
    Roundtables – Best practice for optimizing data collation, time management and corporate messaging

    In this session we will learn how to win with effective messaging. Define a roadmap in which you can manage your time efficiently to collect the correct amount of relevant data, ensuring a results driven narrative.

  • 10:30 AM
    Networking coffee break

  • 11:00 AM
    AI – The creation of a strategic multi-year plan. The now, near and far view

    With the rapid increase in the amount of proprietary information and data acquired by investment firms, knowledge sharing and accessibility is of paramount importance to Investor Relations professionals. However, AI tools on the market continue to create challenges with their limitations, security issues and lack of reliability. In this panel we take a deep dive into best practices for navigating the publicity surrounding Ai to get c-suite buy in and look at how IRO’s can produce a comprehensive plan detailing the challenges and solutions of incorporating Ai into their IR programme, now, in the near future and further down the line.

    • The now: Learn effective ways to manage AI scepticism, showcase ROI and obtain C-Suite buy in
    • The new: Understand which AI tools are readily available to IROs and hear how IR teams are utilizing them to enhance IR efforts
    • The far: Understand the impact of increased AI usage by investors and potential for issuers, and hear future best practice for optimizing value and minimizing risk

    Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Magazine
    Valmik Desai, director of investor relations, Salesforce
    Jami Taylor, senior vice president and head of investor relations, Coherus Biosciences

  • 11:30 AM
    Roundtables AI – What is out there and how are people using it?

    We take a deep dive into what technology is available to IROs now, what will be available in the future and how it is being used to alleviate some of the heavy lifting.

  • 12:00 PM
    Best practice for efficient and successful targeting

    Efficient targeting is an essential part of all successful IR programmes and crucial to driving strategic value. With many internal and external factors to consider, evaluate and understand; prioritising time, data sets and which channels to use is critical in cultivating relationships with compatible investors.

    This panel will provide actionable insights and assist in creating a marketing strategy that can help with investor conversions and increased sell-side coverage.

    • Discuss how to successfully evaluate your existing targeting activities and optimize them: Understand what can be improved and how to improve your targeting efforts?
    • Recognize how to prioritize which investor events and meetings to attend and how to effectively allocate the most appropriate person to the correct investor
    • Learn how you can enhance the accuracy, timing and overall impact of your investor outreach
    • Best practice investor screening and profiling – delving deep to unearth an investors financial situation, investment experience, requirements and risk-tolerance.

    Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Magazine
    Rich Barry, head of C.S. corporate solutions, Citadel Securities
    Chip Newcom, head of investor relations, Equinix
    Harshit Vaish, senior vice president and head of strategy, corporate development and investor relations, Expedia Group

  • 12:30 PM
    Roundtables – Is there an ultimate guide to targeting?

    Here we will evaluate the various ways companies are targeting current and new investors. From increasing trading volume, refining investor targeting lists to increasing responses from cold outreaches.

  • 12:45 PM
    Networking Lunch

  • 13:45 PM
    How to prepare for, and navigate, a shareholder activist campaign

    With nearly 1000 campaigns across the globe in 2023, and 2024 showing substantial activity so far, shareholder activism remains a threat for corporates across industries and market capitalizations. Regulations like the Universal Proxy Card have also made it easier for activists to nominate directors during a contested election and surgically target incumbent directors, bringing support from other shareholders further into the spotlight.

    It’s no surprise, then, that the prospect of navigating a distracting and costly public battle with an activist keeps board members, executives, and IR professionals up at night.

    This panel aims to help IROs navigate and manage the process effectively, preparing for potential challenges before they arise.

    • Learn what an activist campaign can look like and how to prepare in advance for potential shareholder criticism
    • Understand how to work with external counsel and advisors effectively when an activist is at the door
    • Discuss effective methods for winning support among your shareholders in a public fight scenario and cultivate a supportive investor base during peace time
    • Hear how to manage and brief the board during an activist campaign

    Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Magazine
    Ted McHugh, managing director, head of strategic situations and investor relations, Edelman Smithfield
    Peter Michelsen, head of activism and shareholder advisory, Qatalyst Partners
    Derek Zaba, partner and co-chair for shareholder activism and corporate defense, Sidley Austin

  • 14:15 PM
    Roundtables – best practices for when an activist comes knocking

    Openly discuss the red flags to look out for prior to activist engagement and assess how to prevent, mitigate, adapt and become resilient to future activism.

  • 14:45 PM
    Measuring the success of your investor engagement program

    The success of an IRO is measured not just in financial terms but also in the effectiveness of communication and engagement with stakeholders. IROs play a pivotal role in shaping how an investor perceives a company and are crucial for optimizing strategies and achieving sustainable growth. In this panel, we will explore the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) that IR professionals should track to measure the success and impact of their efforts.

    • Performance KPI’s vs action based KPI’s: Which are more effective and how to balance reporting
    • How to make the most out of your investor perception study
    • Learn what management most value in an IRO and an IR program and which KPIs showcase that most effectively

    Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Magazine
    Johnny Lai, senior vice president of corporate development and investor relations, Axos Financial
    Martin Viecha, former vice president of investor relations, Tesla

  • 15:15 PM
    Afternoon networking break

  • 15:45 PM
    Stories from the trenches

    In a Chatham House Rules setting, leading IROs will share their biggest challenges during their careers in investor relations. Identifying when things have and could have gone wrong. Describing the journey they took through the crisis and finally highlighting the lessons they learnt, helping them become a better and more experienced IRO professional.

    We finish the discussion by turning to the audience for Q and A and to share any of their relevant stories.

    Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Magazine
    Chris Evenden, former executive vice president investor relations and corporate development, Ryff
    Peter Schuman, former vice president of investor relations, industry analyst and public relations, Cambium Networks
    Martin Viecha, former vice president of investor relations, Tesla

  • 16:05 PM
    The IR situation room

    A carefully structured, collaborative session that gives attendees an opportunity to work together to solve each other’s real-life IR challenges in a consultation-style setting

    • Get real solutions from IR peers on a particular challenge you are facing
    • Understand the challenges that other IR professionals are facing
    • Benefit from the collective discussions that result

    Moderator: Moderator: Victoria Hyde-Dunn, vice president of investor relations, Informatica

  • 16:50 PM
    Summary of discussions and end of the conference

    Steven Wade, Head of content, IR Magazine

  • 17:00 PM
    End of think tank and cocktail reception

Speakers

For all agenda inquiries, please contact [email protected]


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 our past attendees:

Job title Company Job title Company
AD, head of IR OmniAb Senior manager, IR Salesforce
Chief financial officer Medexus Pharma Senior vice president Genasys
Chief financial officer Nuvve Corp Senior, manager, IR Box
Director Airbnb SVP, IR FIGS
Director IR, FP&A lithia SVP, IR Okta
Director, IR Atlassian SVP, IR, corporate development Workiva
Director, IR ContextLogic VP, finance Hinge health
Director, IR Del Monte VP, finance Unity
Director, IR Electronic Arts VP, head of IR, communications Kinnate Biopharma
Director, IR Gap VP, head, IR Upstart Holdings
Director, IR Roku VP, investor and industry analyst relations Cambium Networks
Director, IR Splunk Technology VP, IR Allbirds
Director, IR United States Steel Corporation VP, IR Bill.com
Head of IR Affirm VP, IR BlackBerry
Head of IR AOL VP, IR Central & Garden & Pet
Head of IR DataStax VP, IR Coinbase
Head of IR Expensify VP, IR Domo
Head of IR Joby Aviation VP, IR Farmers’ Business Network
Head of IR Longboard Pharmaceuticals VP, IR J.M. Smucker
IR PDF Solutions VP, IR NuVasive
IR & treasury Granite Construction VP, IR PagerDuty
IR manager Fortive VP, IR Revolve Group
IR, corporate development Hippo Holdings VP, IR SciPlay Corporation
IRO FLYW VP, IR Stem
Manager, IR GAP VP, IR Sutro Biopharma
Manager, IR, strategic finance 10x Genomics VP, IR The Honest Company
Senior director, IR Equinix VP, IR and capital markets Rover Group
Senior manager, IR Applied Materials VP, IR, corporate development Edgio
Senior manager, IR Elastic VP, treasurer and head of IR Intuitive Surgical

 

Request full attendee list

What our attendees say

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

8x8

"Great speakers. Great venue. Had a chance to network with my peers for the first time in over 2 years!"

Cambium Networks

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

Avaya Holdings

"I liked the small intimate format, roundtable and interactive discussions"

Axos Financial

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

eBay

"Great to connect with peers again and great content"

Sempra

Partners

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.

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