The theme of the 2007 National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) annual conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 3-6, is ‘Ahead of the curve: getting there, staying there’. So, says conference co-chair Blair Christie, vice president of communications and IR at Cisco Systems, whether you are new to IR or an experienced veteran, there’s something for you.
Best for basics
Sunday is a great day for basic conversations about IR and boning up on skills. Newcomers have a choice of eight panels covering topics that form the groundwork of IR, from ‘ABCs of hedge funds’ to ‘Regulations 101’.
Big shots
Watch for sparks between the NYSE’s John Thain and NASDAQ’s Bob Greifeld, who will both be speaking. ‘They’re both pretty competitive in nature,’ says NIRI’s interim CEO Linda Kelleher. NASDAQ will ring its opening bell remotely from the conference on Tuesday morning.
CEO talks
Darden Restaurants chairman and CEO Clarence Otis is giving the Monday morning keynote speech. He gets good reviews for steering his company in a tough sector swarming with hedge funds. ‘He’ll be a great speaker,’ says NIRI chairman and Darden IRO Matthew Stroud. ‘He’s been a CFO as well as a CEO, and he’s in tune with IR.’
Organic ciao
On a previous stay at the hotel, former NIRI chair Maureen Wolff-Reid met the chef at Grande Lakes Orlando’s organic Italian restaurant, Primo. ‘The food was incredibly delicious,’ she says. ‘Go to wherever he’s cooking.’
Watch for gators
The resort has an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course set up against the headwaters of the Everglades. ‘It can be a challenging course,’ says Stroud, a veteran player. Caddies are on hand to advise you on where to place your shots. ‘Unfortunately, you still have to hit the balls yourself,’ Stroud adds.
Party time
The NYSE and NASDAQ receptions are always memorable. Christie knows what they’re planning for Monday and Tuesday evenings, but won’t spoil the secrets: ‘I’ll be at both, because they’re going to be amazing.’
Career planning
Plan your IR exit strategy during a Wednesday panel by listening to three former IROs who made the leap to CFO: Martha Stewart Living’s Howard Hochhauser, Dianne Neal from Reynolds American, and Tupperware’s Michael Poteshman.
War stories
One of NIRI-New York’s best panels featuring business press luminaries is reprised for a wider audience on Wednesday. On hand will be the New York Times’ Joe Nocera, who may tell you about being the only reporter to witness Home Depot’s disastrous 2006 annual general meeting, as well as CNBC’s Charles Gasparino and Neal Lipschutz from Dow Jones.
Kids’ stuff
Offload the children at the Ritz Kids day camp or with the JW Marriott recreation team, which has daily activities in the pool or the arcade.