I’m not sure if it was the cold weather that we have been facing in Eastern Canada or the frigid equity markets but I have to make a few observations after watching people at this event:

• It appears to have been far too long since this group had a fun evening out – when I left the event shortly after midnight there were still many of you enjoying the evening.
• CIRI Board members do very well at the IR Awards – and we know that these awards are presented based on third-party independent research. David Carey, Denita Stann, Lorne Gorber, Pat Marshall and Jo Mira Clodman [Editor’s note: Sharon Mathers, too] were all big winners at this year’s event.
• This group likes to dress up – the IR community seems to really enjoy pulling out fancy clothes, sometimes costumes (beachwear in the case of Tom Enright).

It was a very welcome respite in the long and dreary market we have been encountering of late! • by Sharon Mathers, Chair, CIRI

The Conference is coming....The Conference is coming....

A bright spot on the horizon in an otherwise challenging and tumultuous year is the CIRI Annual Conference, June 14-to-16, 2009 in Victoria, British Columbia. The Conference has always had a high member satisfaction rating (95% in 2008). And with the combination of excellent, high quality professional development, peer-to-peer networking, leading edge exhibitors and first-class conference facilities, this year should be no exception. But it will be different.

Today’s IROs are ‘Navigating in Turbulent Markets’ – the Conference theme. Now, more than ever before, IR professionals need to understand the turbulent economic environment, the impact it is having on Canadian businesses and the debt and equity markets, and the changing role of the market players.

Our commitment is to have all conference attendees leave Victoria better prepared to meet the challenges facing investor relations professionals and make a difference at their companies during these trying times.

I can guarantee that this Conference will be different. Every participant is encouraged to attend ANY session that suits his or her needs, regardless of market cap, sector or experience. And every session will be relevant, since we will engage all CIRI members in dialogue regarding the content of each session prior to the Conference.

Regardless of your years in IR, navigating turbulent markets requires changes in strategies, tactics and skills. To learn how, join us at the largest IR conference in Canada, in Victoria on June 14-to-16. •by Tom Enright, President & CEO, CIRI