Technology has changed the face of communication, allowing for immediate, global conversations and IROs must adapt to keep pace with and connect with shareholders, consumers, analysts and the media. Non-traditional channels including blogs, Twitter, and Facebook are increasingly being adopted as powerful new tools that IROs can put to work for effective, efficient communications. Learn from industry experts who will examine what it means for investor relations when regulation and innovation intersect, and discuss proactive strategies and best practices in establishing and maintaining effective, ‘technologically sound’ communication.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Bradford, Investor Relations Specialist, Microvision, Inc.
Darrell Heaps, President & CEO, Q4 Web Systems
David Cesarini, Owner, cesarini.ca

MODERATOR:
Judith Hutchins, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketwire

Few organizations are faced with the daily myriad of issues that the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) must manage. From proactively keeping media informed of construction progress - to communicating its carbon offset target to the world, VANOC has proven itself to be an innovative leader in reputation management. Join Renee Smith-Valade, Vice President of Communications-VANOC, for an enlightening and interactive discussion on how her team has protected the integrity of one of the world's most important brands.

SPEAKER:
Renee Smith-Valade, Vice President, Communications, VANOC

Recognized as Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year™ and Canada's Most Respected CEO, Gwyn Morgan will talk about his experience in the C-Suite. Gwyn led the creation of EnCana Corporation, one of North America's leading oil and natural gas production companies, with an enterprise value of approximately US$50 billion. He devoted three decades to building the organization including a merger, which is widely viewed as the most significant transaction in Canadian energy sector history.

SPEAKER:
Gwyn Morgan, Founding President & CEO, EnCana Corporation (Retired)

Retail shareholders' knowledge of investing fundamentals varies - from the novice to the expert. Learn how to communicate with investors effectively and efficiently, how to avoid the pitfalls of giving investment advice and identify optimal communication vehicles for the retail investor.

SPEAKERS:
Raina Vitanov, Senior Advisor, Investor Relations, ARC Energy Trust
George Kesteven, Manager, Corporate and Investor Relations, Sterling Resources Ltd.

MODERATOR:
Darren Seed, Director, Investor Relations, Westport Innovations Inc.

How are today's unprecedented debt market conditions affecting a company's ability to access equity markets? What do companies need to consider when raising capital today? Hear what is happening on the front lines from leading investment banks. Learn how investors are thinking about debt versus equity and how an IRO can add value in these difficult times.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Gratias, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Jennifer Pierce, Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations, Transalta Corporation

With the regulatory landscape in constant motion it's difficult to stay current on all the changes. This session will allow you to get up to speed on all recently adopted or proposed changes in securities law such as Notice-and-Access, Executive Compensation Disclosure, Corporate Governance, XBRL and IFRS to name a few.

SPEAKER:
David S. Frost, Partner, Business Law Group, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Do investors really care whether your company is a good corporate citizen? Or do earnings come first? If CSR is a material issue, how can it be valued? Can CSR be justified during a recession? Our panel will answer these questions and discuss the role of investor relations in meeting the expectations of all stakeholders.

SPEAKERS:
Adine Mees, President & CEO, Canadian Business for Social Reporting
Denita Stann, Senior Director, Investor Relations, PotashCorp
Susan Enefer, Manager, Shareholder Engagement, BC Investment Corporation

Now more than ever rating agencies are under scrutiny by investors and issuers who rely on ratings published by rating agencies. How do rating agencies arrive at their ratings conclusions? What is changing in the ratings process? How do you effectively manage your relationship with rating agencies? Our panel will discuss ratings effectiveness in today's markets.

SPEAKERS:
Andrey Pavlov , Associate Professor & Academic Chair, Simon Fraser University
David Bryson, Senior Vice President & CFO, HudBay Minerals Inc.
Larry J. White, Managing Director, Business Development, DBRS

Close to half of U.K. fund managers said information disclosed under IFRS influenced their investment decisions, while 24% said IFRS had a significant impact on their perception of a company's value. This panel will provide insight on the material impact of converting from Canadian GAAP to IFRS and the role IROs must play during the transition to ensure changes are understood by analysts and investors.

SPEAKERS:
John Bunting, Partner, Audit & Assurance Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Michael French, Senior Vice President, financial Reporting & Chief Accountant, Manulife Financial

MODERATOR:
Viki Lazaris, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, BMO Financial Group

Learn about the subtle trends and seismic jolts that affect how the buy-side interacts with and places value on public companies. Take a peek inside the minds of portfolio managers and learn: what today's investors are focused on; the importance of different financial and non-financial measures; and the value of IR to the buy-side.

SPEAKERS:
William MacLachlan, Past Chairman & Director, Mawer Investment Management Ltd.
Tom Bradley, President & Co-founder, Steady Hand

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brethour, Editor, British Columbia, The Globe and Mail
Kirk LaPointe, Managing Editor, The Vancouver Sun

Donald Coxe, a 35-year veteran of the Canadian investment community, will provide his insight into the economic crisis from a North American and global perspective. Don will discuss what challenges lie ahead and his views on navigating through these turbulent markets. As former global portfolio strategist of BMO Financial Group, Don has experience as an advisor, strategist and money manager and has recently established his own independent firm.

SPEAKER:
Donald Coxe , Chairman, Coxe Advisors LLC & Former Global Portfolio Strategist, BMO Capital Markets

As the fundamental structure of the capital markets shudder under the weight of the global credit crisis, the role of the various players is shifting as well. Our panel will look at the changing role of the sell-side including: changes in the research and rating process with a focus on risk assessment; who looks at the research and why; how analysts interact with their clients and listed companies; and the analyst's relationship with other departments within their companies.

SPEAKERS:
Horst Hueniken , Managing Director, Diversified Financial, Thomas Weisel Partners
Ben Cherniavsky, Senior Vice President & Analyst, Raymond James Ltd.

Looking to target investors outside a fatigued North American market? Perhaps reaching outside your backyard is the way to go. Pockets of investors overseas operate as sovereign wealth funds or portfolio managers for privately managed assets where effects of the North American markets have not been as severe. This session will bring industry experts together to provide useful tips for reaching them.

SPEAKERS:
Darren Seed, Director, Investor Relations, Westport Innovations Inc.
Greg Secord, Vice President, Investor Relations, Open Text Corporation

Do you supply products or services to investor relations professionals? If so, don't miss this session. A panel of seasoned IROs - from small and large cap - will talk about their IR strategies, their budgets and the challenges they face. Identify how you can best meet the needs of your target audience and grow your business.

SPEAKERS:
David Carey, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, ARC Energy Trust
Rhonda Bennetto, Vice President, Hedlin Lauder Associates

With stock market volatility at its peak, find out from an industry insider how recent market dynamics can impact your share price! This session offers an inside view from a capital markets expert on trading strategies, trends and other factors that influence your share price and ultimately your day-to-day activities.

SPEAKER:
Don Ogden, Senior Vice President, Private Client Research & Strategy Raymond James Ltd.

In the face of heightened plain, true, clear disclosure demands, IROs are viewing communication as a means of improving the real P/E ratio - not price-to-earnings but Performance-to-Expectations. They understand that effective and consistent communication can help calibrate perceptions with reality and close the gap that could otherwise cause investor unrest.

SPEAKERS:
John Wheeler, Vice President, Investor Relations, TELUS Corporation
Christy Linn, Manager, Investor Relations, Starbucks Coffee Company

As Canadian IR professionals, it is important for us to understand where the companies we represent fit into the global landscape. Join us for lunch and a thought provoking discussion with Andrea Mandel-Campbell, veteran journalist and author of "Why Mexicans Don't Drink Molson" as she discusses Canada's place in the global economy and what Canadian companies need to do to be successful in the global economy.

SPEAKER:
Andrea Mandel-Campbell, Anchor, Business News Network & Author, Why Mexicans Don't Drink Molson

What role does the IRO play when their company faces a financial crisis? How do you balance the competing interest of shareholders, debtholders and banks? What is the best way to communicate with distressed investors? Learn the value of a dual pronged IR-communications strategy to ensure all stakeholders are engaged when your company faces a financial crisis.

SPEAKERS:
Barry Goldberg, Principal and Head, Financial Restructuring, Genuity Capital Markets
Colleen Vancha, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs, Viterra

MODERATOR:
Neil Stewart, Executive Editor, IR Magazine