Everything we thought we knew about the capital markets has drastically changed over the last ten years. This workshop will touch on the three pillars of our capital markets: trading, research and equity capital markets. In this workshop, we'll make sense out of all the recent changes in the capital markets, including timely topics like high frequency trading and alternative research and drill down to what it all means to the practice of investor relations. By the end of this seminar, you'll leave as a more powerful IRO.

For companies looking to raise capital, there's never been a better or worse time in the market. This session examines the outlook for raising debt and equity with a focus on the specific needs of emerging companies.

According to the recommendations published recently by the IPO Task Force, the number of successful IPOs from emerging companies has plummeted over the past 15 years. As a result, access to capital, and ultimately corporate growth, has been hindered.

At the same time, we've entered a period of innovation -- companies now have more options than ever to access the equity capital markets. This session will cover these developments, ranging from IPO alternatives to new offering structures to electronic capital markets platforms.

A growing numbers of hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, index funds and exchange traded funds have changed the complexion of the capital markets and significantly increased trading volume. External factors, such as the recent global and financial crisis, add volatility to the trading markets.

Now, more than ever, corporate IR practitioners must understand the new players as well as the changing rules and factors influencing buy side trading behaviors in order to target effectively.

The economic might of the emerging markets has made them a destination for investments as well as a major source of capital around the world. In this breakfast briefing, we'll examine the increasing business and investment ties between the developed and emerging markets—paying particular attention to the unique challenges and opportunities Investor Relations professionals now face.

Market structure has changed dramatically over the past decade and has become increasingly complex. Keeping up with these fast-paced changes is challenging for IROs and many might feel uncomfortable sharing their lack of knowledge on this topic with others. A panel of market structure experts will explain how your stock can trade on BATS or Direct Edge even if it's listed on the NYSE Euronext or NASDAQ, what high-frequency trading is and how it's affecting your stock as well as dark pools and other pressing questions.

With the fate of mandatory proxy access behind us, the latest question is "what is the timing for the SEC's proxy plumbing project and what will the changes mean for investor relations professionals?" How will changes affect the proxy voting process? Based on recent research, it is likely the first rulemakings emanating from the proxy plumbing project will likely come in waves, with greater regulation of proxy advisory firms being first on the list. This session will look at the possible SEC proposals dealing with proxy plumbing and specifically proxy advisor regulation as well as the potential ramifications for boards of directors, management teams and investor relations professionals. We know these changes are coming – how can we best prepare for the changes.

In 2011, companies were virtually held hostage to the Euro crisis with regard to capital market access. The situation in 2012 does not appear to be drastically different as risk appetite and market openings seem to be determined by the evolution of the European sovereign debt crisis. As European banks face impending Basel 3 capital requirements as well as the fallout from the sovereign crisis, their strategy of asset sales, capital raises and deleveraging the balance sheet has important implications for the equity and debt markets. With over $1.2 trillion in corporate debt maturing in 2012 and 2013 in Europe, competition for debt and equity capital will be fierce. In today's risk on/off world, what is the likely impact of these events on your company and your role as IRO? What are the implications of these changes on your access to equity and debt markets, the trading of your shares and your ability to refinance? How does the European crisis affect your operations and investor perceptions of the risk in your business?

Companies must determine the most optimal uses of their cash and borrowing capacity. Does it make sense to reinvest internally, make acquisitions, or distribute to shareholders by declaring dividends and/or buy back their shares? This presentation provides the results of a 20+ year study (updated through December 2011) that illustrates by market cap size, economic sector and investment style (growth or value) and compares the various use of cash strategies by total return. The study includes both bull and bear market cycles.