Annual Conference Program
Additional speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
6:00 AM
15th Annual Golf Tournament, Banff Springs Golf Course
7:00 AM
White Water Rafting
8:00 AM
Guided Hike to Lake Agnes
Photography Workshop
12:00 - 5:00 PM
Conference Registration
1:30 PM
Precision Rig 421: The Chilean Miner Rescue
Sponsored by Marketwire
Precision's Rig 421 was Plan C in he Chilean miner rescue effort. The
Government of Chile contacted Precision to supply its rig and services
as part of the effort to rescue 33 trapped miners in Copiapo, Chile.
Precision was drawn into a story that made headlines around the world.
Joanne Alexander, Vice President & General Counsel of Precision will
talk about how it handled the challenges of being in the middle of a
global human-interest story.
SPEAKER:
Joanne Alexander, Precision Drilling Corporation
2:30 PM
Social Media Reality Check 2.0
Sponsored by CNW
In 2009,
the first-ever Social Media Reality Check rocked the social media scene,
exploring issues ranging from how often consumers use online communications
tools to how social media has influenced purchasing decisions. Earlier this
year, CNW Group once again combined its expertise in news distribution with
Leger Marketing’s renowned research capabilities to launch Social Media Reality
Check 2.0. Join CNW President and CEO Carolyn McGill-Davidson and Leger
Marketing’s Associate Vice President, Dimitra Maniatis as they share the
results of the 2011 survey and what it all means to IROs.
SPEAKERS:
Dimitra Maniatis, Leger Marketing
Carolyn McGill-Davidson, CNW Group
3:30 PM
Reaching Retail
Sponsored by TMX Equicom
Retail investors represent a significant slice of the Canadian capital
markets and are an important audience to reach out to as part of a
proactive IR strategy. However, as one of 3,800 issues listed on the
TSX/TSX-V, it can be difficult to distinguish your story and effectively
connect with the retail audience. Join Cameron Davies, Senior Vice
President of TMX Equicom, for 'Reaching Retail' and learn how to
increase your visibility, diversify your shareholder base, reduce
volatility and improve liquidity.
SPEAKER:
Cameron Davies, TMX Equicom
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception and Opening Ceremony
MONDAY, JUNE 6
7:00 AM
Registration/Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:00 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:15 AM
Delivering Global Opportunity for Canada's Capital Markets
The proposed merger of the TMX Group and the London Stock Exchange would
result in the merged group owning exchanges with the most listings in
the world. But what will it mean for public companies, traders,
investors and the regulation of Canada's stock markets? Kevan Cowan,
President, TSX Markets and Group Head of Equities, TMX Group, will
discuss how the proposed merger is expected to benefit the various
participants in our capital markets.
SPEAKER:
Kevan Cowan, TMX Group
9:15 AM
Agrium Inc. - A Global Leader
Agrium
Inc. is a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services, a
leading global producer and marketer of all three major agricultural nutrients
and the premier supplier of specialty fertilizers. It has achieved this leadership
position through expansion of existing operations and acquisitions. Agrium
President and CEO Mike Wilson will discuss the company's strategy for growth
and corporate values which have not only established it as a leader in its
industry but also as a leading Canadian employer.
SPEAKER:
Mike Wilson, Agrium Inc.
10:15 AM
Break with Exhibitors
10:45 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option 1
What are Corporate Social Responsibility Investors Looking For?
The CSR report is increasingly becoming a strategic asset as
investor interest in sustainability is on the rise. How would Jantzi
Sustainalytics, a global leader in sustainability research and analysis,
rate your company? What can IROs do to improve their CSR report and
proactively attract socially responsible investors to their stock?
SPEAKERS:
Simon MacMahon, Jantzi Sustainalytics
Anne Plasterer, NewAlta Inc.
Max Zhert, TD Asset Management
Option 2
Use Technology to Extend Your Reach to Engage Stakeholders
IROs and senior management are using innovative communication techniques
to form stronger connections with stakeholders. New platforms such as
web video, social media networks and virtual meetings are facilitating
more frequent and interactive dialogue between companies and their
stakeholders, including the investment community, which strengthens
relationships and builds trust. Learn about these platforms, how to use
them, their benefits and risks and the time commitment involved.
SPEAKERS:
Rhylin Bailie, NovaGold Resources Inc.
Michael Salter, MOSAID Technologies Inc.
Option 3
Proxy Advisory Firms - Is their Influence on the Rise?
Much has been said
recently about the growing influence of the proxy advisory firm. The
vast majority of institutional investors engage a proxy advisory firm;
but do they blindly follow the advice and voting recommendations? In a
recent CIRI survey, more than 70% of IROs had experienced an issue with a
proxy advisory firm. What can an IRO do to help ensure their proposals
get a positive recommendation? Hear directly from Institutional
Shareholder Services to learn more about their process and how to work
with them in proxy season.
SPEAKERS:
Richard Downey, Agrium Inc.
Carol Hansell, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg
Debra Sisti, Institutional Shareholder Services
12:00 PM
Lunch with Exhibitors
Sponsored by ChorusCall
2:00 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option 1
Senior IRO Discussion - What's On Your Mind?
Join leading IROs
for each of CIRI's four Chapters to discuss the IR issues that are most
relevant today. Ask them questions about aspects of their IR program,
career development and more. This session takes the format of a
'fireside chat' and we encourage you to actively shape and participate
in this interactive discussion, exchanging ideas and sharing strategies
with your peers. Help define IR 'next practices'.
MODERATOR:
John Wheeler, TELUS Corporation
SPEAKERS:
Meghan Brown, Canaco Resources Inc.
George Kesteven, Sterling Resources Ltd.
Pat Marshall, Cineplex Entertainment
Option 2
Investment Research & Decisions Fuelled by Financial Blogs
A recent study showed that more than 50% of institutional investors
are reading financial blogs on a regular basis and that this innovative
channel is influencing their investment decisions. Many IROs are not
paying enough attention to these new and leading research sites. How
can IROs influence these channels and what can you do if the information
is misleading?
MODERATOR:
Darrell Heaps, Q4 Web Systems
SPEAKERS:
Rhonda Bennetto, TVI Pacific
Joshua Brown, Financial Blogger, “The Reformed Broker”
David Kaiser, Fleishman-Hillard Inc.
Option 3
Regulations - Looking Ahead
IROs must keep abreast of the ongoing changes in securities regulation.
What key issues are the regulators currently examining? This session
will cover IIROC's proposed changes to short selling and the OSC's
review of shareholder democracy issues, including say-on-pay, majority
voting for uncontested director elections and the effectiveness of the
proxy voting system.
SPEAKERS:
Carol Hansell, Davies Ward Phillips & Vinberg
Mike Prior, IIROC
3:00 PM
Break with Exhibitors
Sponsored by CDS
3:30 PM
In Conversation with the Street
Sell-side analysts are covering
more companies with less resources. Buy-side investors are relying less
on the sell-side and conducting research in-house. Join a sell-side
analyst and an institutional investor who will tell you how the
environment has changed and what they expect from the IRO. Find out how
to differentiate yourself from the crowd and get noticed.
MODERATOR:
James Macintosh, Continental Mining & Smelting Ltd.
SPEAKERS:
Anil Tahiliani, McLean & Partners
Gordon Tait, BMO Capital Markets
4:30 PM
Free Time
6:00 PM
"Everyone is a LEADER" Reception with Exhibitors
7:30 PM
Dinner and Dance
Sponsored by Broadridge
TUESDAY, JUNE 7
7:30 AM
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:15 AM
CIRI Annual General Meeting
8:30 AM
Is the Recession Over?
After a
challenging global economy over the last few years, Paul Ferley, Assistant Chief Economist at the Royal Bank of Canada says the
recession is now over and for Canada the positive news is adding up. What can
we expect in the economy over the next 12 months? How will
this affect IROs?
SPEAKER:
Paul Ferley, Assistant Chief Economist, RBC
9:30 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option 1
Board/IR Interaction - Get a Seat at the Table
Directors are the shareholders' elected representatives and the IRO
communicates directly with the shareholders on an ongoing basis.
However, many companies' Boards underutilize or don't communicate
directly with the company's IRO, not only with respect to
Board/Shareholder engagement, but also for market sentiment and
shareholder feedback. What can you do to be more strategic and increase
your success in getting a seat at the boardroom table?
SPEAKERS:
David Carey, ARC Resources
Thomas Chambers, Corporate Director
Igor Levental, Corporate Director
Susan Soprovich, Compton Petroleum Corporation
Option 2
Raising Capital in Today's Markets
The market has evolved and so have the options for raising capital.
Learn how companies can raise capital in today's markets; what the most
popular financing tools are and why; and key developments in what it
takes to have a successful offering. Hear how IROs have been involved
in the decision-making process and how that has been beneficial to their
communication efforts.
SPEAKER:
Michelle Khalili, CIBC
Marc Lepage, Claude Resources Inc.
Option 3
Framing Choices to Move from Mid-Career to the Next Level
Do you want to become more strategic in framing your choices to advance
your career to the next level? A leading recruiter and two senior IROs
who have taken their careers to new heights will discuss how to further
develop your career and be perceived as an "A" player by senior
management.
SPEAKERS:
Janet Craig, ViXS Systems Inc.
John McKay, Caldwell Partners
Colleen Vancha, Viterra
10:30 AM
Break with Exhibitors
11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option 1
How Are Today's Capital Markets Impacting Your Stock Performance?
Capital
markets have undergone dramatic changes and it's hard for IROs to keep
up. In an hour you will learn about high frequency trading, short
selling, alternative trading systems and dark pools, to name a few.
Find out what motivates investors to use these trading techniques and
alternative markets and how they impact your share price and
volatility. Learn where to go to get information on this market
activity and provide greater intelligence internally.
SPEAKER:
Graham MacKenzie, CiBC World Markets
Option 2
Takeover Bids - Potash Case Study
PotashCorp
was recently the target of an unsolicited foreign takeover bid by BHP Billiton. The bid
was ultimately rejected by the federal government in early November, but for
almost three months PotashCorp fought the bid tooth and nail. What would you do
if your company became the target of a hostile takeover bid? Denita
Stann, Vice President, Investor and Public Relations at PotashCorp will
share her experience, expertise and key learnings.
SPEAKER:
Denita Stann, PotashCorp.
Option 3
How Can Investor Psychology Affect Your Share Value?
Do all investors behave rationally all the time? Understanding the
principles of investor psychology and the emerging field of behavioural
finance can help identify some investment-related biases and lead to an
understanding of why stocks may sometimes appear to be overvalued or
undervalued. The first step is to better understand the key differences
underpinning traditional finance that assumes all investors are
rational, and behavioural finance that assumes not all investors are.
SPEAKER:
Steve Foerster, Richard Ivey School of Business
12:00 PM
Awards Ceremony and Lunch
1:30 PM
Calling for a Higher Level of Leadership
Mac Van Wielingen,
Co-Chairman and a founder of ARC Financial Corp. and Chairman and a
founder of ARC Resources Ltd., two highly successful and leading
companies in Canada, will speak to what he believes is at the "root of
organizational success or failure", based on his experience as a
corporate adviser, private equity investor and as an executive leader.
Pointing to the extent of corruption and high profile corporate
failures, Mr. Van Wielingen is boldly and passionately calling for a
"higher level of leadership", that will enhance both the probability of
enduring success and value to society.
SPEAKER:
Mac Van Wielingen, ARC Resources Ltd.
2:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Sessions subject to change.