IR Magazine Think Tank – West Coast
Exclusively for in-house IRO’s
el Prado Hotel, Palo Alto, CA
About the event
WHEN
WHERE
el Prado Hotel, Palo Alto, CA
OUR UNIQUE FORMAT
The IR Magazine Think Tank – West Coast took place on Wednesday, March 20 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.
Holders of the NIRI IRC® certification can earn up to 4 professional development units (PDUs) per day. IRC-certified speakers may also earn PDUs. For more information about the Investor Relations Charter (IRC)®, please visit www.niri.org/certification.
Agenda: 2024
Times are shown in Pacific Time (PT).
08:15am
Registration, refreshments and networking
09:00am
Keynote panel: Management expectations of IR in 2024
- C-suite perspectives on the evolving strategic importance of IR and the value a strong IR team can bring in 2024
- Understand the impact of the current environment on the role and responsibilities of IR teams
- Foster strong relationships within senior management and embed IR in the decision-making process
- Advice on communicating management change to risk-averse markets
Moderator: Steven Wade, Head of content, IR Magazine
Kate Scolnik, Chief financial officer, Owlet Baby Care
09:30am
The analyst view: The impact on macro uncertainty on corporate access
- Hear directly from the sell side about the impact of macro uncertainty on consumer behaviour, investment flows and shareholder bases
- Discover how IR teams can work with their analysts to better inform the investment community around the equity story
- Understand the impact of Learn how to calibrate your guidance and messaging in uncertain times
- Discuss how to approach corporate access in an uncertain economy
Moderator: Lauren McDonald, conference producer, IR Magazine
RJ Pellegrino, Managing director of global equities, TD Cowen
10:00am
Roundtables: Navigating uncertainty and sector-specific discussions
10:30am
Coffee break
11:00am
Practical uses of AI in IR: How has the conversation progressed?
- An overview of the key applications of AI currently in use by IR teams
- Best practices around implementing AI processes: From identifying a use-case to selecting the right provider
- Overcoming challenges: Learn the key obstacles to AI adoption by IR teams and understand the evolving risk landscape
- Looking ahead: Discuss where AI could add the most value to IR functions as technologies evolve
Moderator: Lauren McDonald, conference producer, IR Magazine
Erik Carlson, CFO & COO, Notified
11:30am
Best-in-class earnings calls: Preparation, execution and measuring success
- In advance: How and when to pre-announce results
- On the lead up: Preparing your management team and anticipating analyst queries
- On the day: Discuss tactics and formats to ensure a smooth presentation and Q&A
- After the call: Learn the best ways to measure success and gather analyst feedback
Moderator: Steven Wade, Head of content, IR Magazine
Giuseppe Montefinese, Manager of contributor relations – US, Visible Alpha
Jason Schmidt, Head of investor relations, Upstart
12:00pm
Roundtables: Tools and technologies to drive efficiency in investor relations
12:30pm
Lunch
13:30pm
Tailoring your outreach to a range of investment styles
- Get creative with the datasets you use to identify compatible investors
- Next steps: Best practices around initial outreach and ensuring meaningful engagement
- Learn strategies to maximize the productivity of yours and management’s time
- Retail investors: Identify, manage and cultivate your retail shareholder base
- Domestic vs global outreach: Factors to consider when approaching international investors
Moderator: Steven Wade, Head of content, IR Magazine
Loren Kalm, Head of investor relations, North America, Genentech/Roche
David Whyte, Co-Founder and CEO, Irwin
14:00pm
Taking an updated look at investor days: Messaging, cadence and execution
- Set the right message: Knowing when (and when not) to host an investor day
- Get the cadence right: Ensuring a consistent investor day schedule without fatiguing participants
- Who to have involved: Ensuring the right people are in the room and preparing speakers effectively
- Discuss the best investor day formats in a hybrid world
- After the event: Share solutions to measuring the value and impact of your investor day
Moderator: Lauren McDonald, Conference producer, IR Magazine
Rob Lockerman, Vice president of advisory, Corbin Advisors
Chip Newcom, Head of investor relations, Equinix
14:30pm
Roundtables: Novel ways to engage investors
15:00pm
Investor Q&A: Buy-side perspectives on how IR can do better in 2024
- Hear directly from the buy-side on the key macro trends likely to shape investment decisions in 2024
- Discuss how different investors are reacting to current market conditions and what this means for IR teams
- Learn the best ways to communicate information to investors in the context of ongoing uncertainty
- Understand investors’ red flags when it comes to engaging with IR teams
Moderator: Steven Wade, Head of content, IR Magazine
Stephen Perkins, Founder and portfolio manager, Toronado Capital Management
15:30pm
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: Victoria Hyde-Dunn, Vice president of investor relations, Informatica
16:15pm
Closing remarks and networking drinks
Steven Wade, Head of content, IR Magazine
Event speakers
To inquire about speaking opportunities, contact [email protected] or +44 7804 740 172
What our attendees say
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 attendees who joined us at the event:
| JOB TITLE | COMPANY |
|---|---|
| Deputy CFO | Fortinet |
| Director | PG&E |
| Director | Airbnb |
| Director, IR | Splunk |
| Director, IR | Knife River Corporation |
| Director, IR | BioMarin |
| Global head, IR | HP |
| Global VP | 8×8 |
| Head, IR | Affirm Holdings |
| Head, IR | Joby Aviation |
| Head, IR | American Well |
| Head, IR | Aspen Aerogels |
| Head, IR | Newmark Group |
| Head, IR | Diodes |
| IR | Beckman |
| IR director | Applied Materials |
| Senior director, IR | Seagate |
| Senior director, IR | Gilead |
| Senior director, IR | Aristocrat Technologies |
| JOB TITLE | COMPANY |
|---|---|
| Senior director, IR | ThredUP |
| SVP, corporate development, IR | Expedia Group |
| SVP, IR & corporate development | Genasys |
| SVP, IR & corporate development | Workiva |
| SVP, IR, communications | Cadiz |
| VP | Vector Capital |
| VP, IR | BILL |
| VP, corporate development & IR | e.l.f. Beauty |
| VP, finance, IR | Freshworks |
| VP, industry analyst relations | Cambium Networks |
| VP, IR | Intuit |
| VP, IR | OpenText |
| VP, IR | Elastic |
| VP, IR | Central Garden & Pet |
| VP, IR | Informatica |
| VP, IR | Infinera |
| VP, IR | Xometry |
| VP, IR & corp comms | Adagene |
| VP, IR & risk management | CooperCompanies |
Thinking of becoming an event partner?
Our events provide a unique opportunity to get in front of some of the most influential people in the IR community. 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 IR excellence and network with key decision makers from across the region – the ones pushing the profession forward through innovation.
Partners
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