Our timesaver's guide to NIRI 2013 has everything you need to know if you're heading to Hollywood from June 9-12
Value-added theme
This year’s conference is all about building value: how companies can build value for investors, how IR teams can build value for firms, and how IROs can grow their own careers. ‘We want to offer concrete takeaways attendees can go back to the office with and implement, bringing value to both their IR efforts and their organization,’ says Angie McCabe, co-chair of the conference and vice president of IR at Health Net.
Sun, sea and volleyball
For those with a bucket and spade, the building work can continue outside the conference center. For 2013, NIRI is returning to the beachfront Westin Diplomat resort in Hollywood, Florida. Taking advantage of the location, Sunday morning will include a new activity: beach volleyball. Just make sure you get on the team with the most West Coast IROs. There’ll also be a sunrise beach walk on Tuesday.
Big-picture stuff
To set the scene, the first general session features a panel of big-hitters from the corporate, buy-side and banking worlds, such as Nick Sargen of Fort Washington and Tim Ingrassia, Goldman Sachs’ co-chairman of global M&A. ‘The session will provide a good context for the state of the economy and the environment we’re operating in,’ says John Chevalier, conference co-chair and director of investor relations at Procter & Gamble (P&G), whose CFO Jon Moeller will also be on the panel.
TED-inspired
Session formats are getting a shake-up. Taking inspiration from TED – the conference producer with the strapline ‘ideas worth sharing’ – NIRI 2013 will feature faster-paced sessions and more talks focused on one idea or viewpoint. ‘We’re including talks that offer positions for debate to spur discussion,’ explains Chevalier.
There will also be new breakout conversations on Monday morning, including on topics defined by attendees. Some will take place in session rooms, others on individual tables – it depends how many people are interested. For NIRI newbies, one discussion will cover how to get the most out of your first conference.
Networking+
While mingling with other IROs is always a big part of the conference, this year will see an extra networking event squeezed in on Monday afternoon. ‘The reception gives attendees more time to catch up with their peers and visit service providers, while still allowing time to head back to their rooms to get ready for the NIRI Signature Event,’ says Jeff Morgan, who is presiding over his sixth annual conference as president and CEO of the association.
Global IR
For the third year running, NIRI will host the popular Global IR Summit and Reception on Sunday night, featuring two 45-minute sessions followed by networking drinks with an international crowd. With companies like GE building out their IR teams around the world, the summit will address the question of whether US firms need permanent IR positions in Europe or Asia, as well as the most effective way of targeting investors in those regions.
Forward investors!
Want to add a touch of Obama sparkle to your presentations? Then the final general session features a must-attend talk by communications specialist Michael Sheehan, who works with the biggest names in the corporate and political spheres. ‘The day we pitched to Michael about the event was the day after he’d been coaching President Obama on the State of the Union address,’ says Chevalier. ‘I took one of his hands-on classes at P&G 11 years ago – and I still have my notes.’
