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Program and Reception
In the increasingly global capital markets, trends in one international market may well spread to another.

Network and learn to stay ahead of the curve with your international peers starting with a dynamic international panel, followed by a wonderful sunset reception

What is the state of IR outside the U.S.? What are the implications for Global programs? Hear practices and tactics in a lively discussion with IR leaders and professionals from around the world. The panel will compare and contrast investor relations strategies and approaches as well as provide an update on best practices. The NIRI International Reception will immediately follow the program.

This session aims at identifying the various routes that are available to companies that want to diversify their shareholder base internationally: cross-listings and roadshows are the most frequent means. The objectives and the means, however, may vary widely from one company to another. Increasingly, a diversified shareholder base is also seen as a strategic tool to achieve increased penetration in a given market or region. A recent trend also shows that a growing number of companies are undertaking secondary listings in the emerging markets with assets under management and a burgeoning middle class serving as the main drivers.

The last several months have seen an unprecedented number of new laws, rules and regulations that - at their heart - affect shareholder communications. The IR professional has and will continue to find himself or herself at the center of the practical application of many of the issues raised by these new rules. This presentation will cover the highlights of various new laws, rules and regulations from the non-US IR perspective, address emerging areas of best practice and highlight areas of interest and/or concern.

Although rarely specifically mandated by regulatory authorities, having a written disclosure policy is a component of international investor relations best practice. This session will aim at providing hands-on advice on how to set internal guidelines and rules for employee behavior with respect to communicating with reporters, family, friends, colleagues, business contacts, and insider trading.

Participants will also find out why it is becoming increasingly important to have a social media disclosure policy. The latest trends in risk disclosure policies will also be addressed.

One of the most important responsibilities of the IR function is to develop and maintain strong relationships with the investment community. While a focused investor targeting effort has been analytically proven to improve stock performance, many IROs do not have the time or bandwidth to develop an effective targeting program and often outsource this effort.

In this session, panelists will discuss targeting best practices and review first-hand experiences and case studies. In addition, international targeting efforts will be covered, specifically the how and when, as well as the cost/benefit analysis of marketing globally.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are working toward a G-20 goal of using a single set of improved, high-quality, global, converged accounting standards developed through rigorous due process. The first international harmonization accounting rules were issued in 1973. The beginning of the IFRS adhesion took place in 2002, when the European Community decided that more than 7,000 companies should adopt the rules in the consolidated financial statements from 2005 on. In the same period, other countries also migrated to IFRS, including Australia, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Brazil, South Korea, India and Canada are also IFRS compliant now.

A number of these standards are expected to become final during 2011 for implementation by U.S. GAAP and IFRS preparers may do so from 2015 on.

This workshop is dedicated to IROs who want to expand their global reach beyond their home markets. It will feature targeting and roadshow techniques, into the US for non US issuers and into international capital markets for anyone.

Participants will also learn from a unique collection of war stories as told by international investor relations practitioners.

The following topics will be addressed by seasoned IROs and global equity portfolio managers from the main capital markets:

• How are foreign investors best accessed? Do they have specific disclosure requirements, in form and content?
• Does market capitalization or sector matter? Are they looking at how your company ranks against corporate governance or socially responsible investment criteria?
• How do you allocate resources between in-person meetings and virtual roadshows? How do you prepare your management for cultural differences?
• How do you tell your story abroad? How do calculate your ROI on international investor relations?