Annual Conference Program/

Day One/
Sunday, June 3

6:15am
 

22nd Annual CIRI Golf Tournament at Lionhead Golf Club

9:30am

'A City in a Park' Bicycle Tour

10:30am

Insider's West Queen West Art Tour
12:00pm

Registration
2:30pm

Expanding Your Influence Through Networking
Sponsored by TMX Group
Networking has long been recognized as a powerful tool for business professionals. Whether you are looking for new job opportunities, would like to share ideas and knowledge with others, are trying to raise your profile or increase your influence, networking can be an effective way to accomplish these goals. Join us for an IRO-only, interactive networking session and make some new, meaningful connections.
3:30pm

From Underground to Industry: A Look at Canada’s Cannabis Market
Sponsored by Cision
 Join Jeff Vanderby, Cision’s Senior Manager of Product Marketing, for a panel discussion that will explore the unique challenges facing companies joining the emerging Cannabis industry. The panel will discuss the barriers and opportunities for new entrants as they mature into listing candidates, the path to legitimacy from a legal/financial/investor standpoint, the challenges and benefits to established brands, and communications and marketing approaches for Canada’s most newsworthy new market.

Moderator: 
Jeffrey Vanderby, Senior Manager Product Marketing, Cision
Speakers: 
Rebecca Brown, CEO, Crowns Creative 
Vijay Sappani, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, TerrAscend 
Julie Shin, Director, Listed Issuer Services, Toronto Stock Exchange
Jeannette VanderMarel, Co-Founder and President of Good & Green, Co-Founder of The Green Organic Dutchman
4:30pm

The Future of Financial News
Sponsored by Business Wire
The face of financial news coverage is changing. From new, niche-focused digital media outlets, to AI-driven content portals, there are numerous entities investor relations professionals must contend with today. In this panel, we will discuss some of the more innovative news gathering technologies being utilized by media and how IROs should prepare their messaging to meet the expectations of these platforms and journalists.

Moderator:
Greg Blazina, Regional Manager - Canada, Business Wire
Speakers:
Jacqueline Thorpe, Toronto Bureau Chief, Bloomberg
Michael Hainsworth, former BNN anchor, Co-host & Producer, Geeks & Beats Podcast
Riyaz Lalani, CEO, Bayfield Strategy

5:30pm

Conference Kick-Off Cocktails


































Day Two/
Monday, June 4
7:00am

Registration/Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:00am

Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:15am

The Data Tsunami – Are You Leveraging It?
Estelle Métayer, an expert in competitive and strategic intelligence, will demystify the extraordinary opportunities offered today by the vast amount of data available to both investors and issuers. In the data tsunami, triggered by the surge of transparency, artificial intelligence and new tools to synthetize trends and spot weak signals, it has never been easier to draw new insights from data. Your investors are doing it. Are you?

Speaker:
Estelle Métayer, Principal, Founder, Competia & Corporate Director

9:15am

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Select one)
Option 1

Cultivating & Communicating with a Retail Investor Base
Whether you’re a small, mid or large cap company, retail investors are important shareholders with unique needs. What strategies and tactics can you use to increase your retail shareholder base? How should you communicate with this diverse group to develop strong relationships? In this session, you will learn this and more.

Moderator: 
Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations, Cineplex Inc.
Speakers: 
Kyle Preston, Director, Investor Relations, Vermilion Energy Inc.
Roberto Sbrugnera,  Vice President, Treasury, Risk & Investor Relations, Metro Inc.
Darren Sissons, Partner, Vice President & Portfolio Manager, Campbell Lee & Ross Investment Management

Option 2

Long-termism: How to Win the Tug-of-War 
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Unless those two multiply." 
Timing is everything. It dictates management decision-making, dominates investment portfolio selections and makes a big difference to total shareholder return. Reconciling your company's long-term mission with investor demand for short-term returns is an ongoing challenge for IROs. This session brings multiple perspectives to the conversation and explores the fine balance between the two in search of a healthy middle ground. 

Moderator: 
Meghan Brown, Vice President, Investor Relations, Leagold Mining Corporation
Speakers: 
Ariel Babcock, Director, FCLT Global 
Matt Orsagh, Director, Capital Markets Policy, CFA Institute 
Greg Smith, President & Director, Equinox Gold Corp.
Option 3

Model Behaviour: How the Sell-side Looks at Your Company 
Every year, fewer analysts are covering more companies and relying more heavily on IROs to bring them up to speed. During this session, you will learn what goes into a model, how you can work with analysts to make sure everything is reflected properly and what you can do if something is missed, all while safely staying within the regulatory requirements around selective disclosure.

Moderator: 
Brian Ector, Senior Vie President, Capital Markets & Corporate Affairs, Baytex Energy Corp.
Speakers: 
Paul Butcher, Vice President, Investor Relations, CN Railway
Ross McKee, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLC 
Walter Spracklin, Equity Research Analyst, RBC Capital Markets
10:15am

Break with Exhibitors
10:45am

In Conversation with the Street 
Sponsored by Scotiabank 
Analysts and institutional investors play a vital role in an IRO’s success and you in theirs. Hear from the buy- and sell-side as they share insights on the current state of Canadian capital markets; how they are impacted by MiFID II; their views on disclosure topics such as guidance, ESG and more; and what they expect from IROs. You will leave this session with tips on how you can improve your relationships with the Street.

Moderator: 
Bannon Kopko, Managing Director, Global Equity Sales, Scotiabank GBM
Speakers: 
Jason Bouvier, Senior Analyst, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, Scotiabank 
Todd Coupland, Managing Director, Technology & Innovation, CIBC Capital Markets 
Malcolm White, Portfolio Manager, CI Funds
Scott Vali, Managing Director Global Equities, OMERS
11:45am

CIRI’s Annual General Meeting, Awards Ceremony & Lunch
Sponsored by West Corporation 
1:30pm

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Select one)
Option 1

Blockchain for Dummies
Sponsored by Broadridge 
The blockchain revolution is coming. Are you ready? This transformative technology will reshape the world of business and place new demands on the C-suite. In this session, you will learn about blockchain from the experts and hear how this disruptive technology can benefit virtually every industry, even IR. A case study outlining how blockchain can be applied to proxy voting will also be presented.

Speakers: 
Jenna Pilgrim, Director, Business Development, Blockchain Research Institute 
Patricia Rosch, President, Broadridge Investor Communications Corporation
Option 2

What’s On Their Mind: Perspectives from Investors & Directors
Sponsored by AST Trust Company (Canada) 
What issues are top of mind for investors and directors? Are these two audiences aware of and aligned on what is most important to the other? Join this experienced panel as they discuss top governance issues including women on boards, say-on-pay, majority voting, proxy access, environmental disclosure and more.

Moderator: 
Dexter John, Executive Vice President, D. F. King Canada
Speakers: 
Stephen Erlichman, Executive Director, Canadian Coalition for Good Governance 
Carol Hansell, Founding Partner, Hansell LLP 
Debra Sisti, Head of Canadian Research, Institutional Shareholder Services
Option 3

Small Cap Issuers: How to Get Investor Attention
Sponsored by BTV – Business Television 
A small fish in a big pond can often be overlooked. So how can you make your company stand out? What strategies can you use to get your company in front of institutional investors? Are there other investor groups or other regions that you should be targeting and how can you identify them? Leave this session with practical advice on how to get your company noticed.

Moderator: 
Taylor Thoen, CEO, Executive Producer, BTV- Business Television/CEO Clips
Speakers: 
Christina Lalli, Director, Investor Relations, Osisko Metals Incorporated
Bruce Krugel, Institutional Equity Sales, Laurentian Bank Securities
Naomi Nemeth, Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations, Coro Mining Corp.
2:30pm

Break with Exhibitors
3:00pm

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Select one)
Option 1

Regulatory Update: What IROs Should Know 
Sponsored by Computershare 
The regulatory environment continues to change and IROs need to know how their companies will be impacted. During this session, we will discuss the new TSX website disclosures; the initiative to reduce the regulatory burden on issuers; women on boards and in management; the proxy voting infrastructure; and more.

Moderator: 
Lara Donaldson, Director, Regulatory & Industry Affairs, Computershare
Speakers: 
Valérie Douville, Senior Manager, Compliance & Disclosure, TSX
Naizam Kanji, Director, Office of Mergers & Acquisitions, Ontario Securities Commission
Jo-Anne Matear, Manager, Corporate Finance, Ontario Securities Commission
Option 2

Award-Winning IR: How the Pros Do It 
Sponsored by IR Magazine 
Some companies are consistently ranked best-in-class in IR. What’s their secret? Come hear a panel of distinguished IROs from across the country as they share how they deliver award-winning IR programs.

Moderator: 
Ben Ashwell, Digital Editor, IR Magazine
Speakers: 
Isabelle Adjahi, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications, WSP Global Inc. 
Camilla Bartosiewicz, Vice President, Investor Relations, Altus Group Limited
Denis Jasmin, Vice President, Investor Relations, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. 
Option 3

Marketing: Research, Targeting, Segmentation - Putting It All Together 
Sponsored by Nasdaq 
Marketing is one of the premier components of investor relations. Hear from seasoned IROs who will share their experiences marketing in Europe, Asia and closer to home. You will also hear the latest information on inflows and outflows of key markets. Leave this session with practical advice on how to target key markets, best position your company within a market segment and get the most value from your marketing activities, whether close to home or overseas.

Moderator: 
Timothi Trombetta, Senior Advisor, Strategic Capital Intelligence, Nasdaq
Speakers:
Jason Fleury, Director, Investor Relations, Painted Pony Energy Ltd. 
Robert Veloso, Vice President, Investor Relations, Manulife Financial
4:00pm

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Select one)
Option 1

What IR Program Can You Deliver on a Small, Medium or Large Budget? 
No two IROs are exactly alike and the same can be said of their IR program and budget. Join three IROs from companies of varying market caps as they take you through their IR program and budgets that range from $300K to $600K to $1M.

Moderator: 
Anne Plasterer, Investor Relations Consultant, Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund
Speakers: 
Lisa Greatrix, Senior Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations, Canadian Tire Corp.
Mike Kruchten, Vice President, Capital Markets & Corporate Planning, Parex Resources Inc. 
Lori Novickis, Director, Corporate Relations, CBIZ inc.
Option 2

Top Ten Questions Investors are Asking About Sustainability 
Sponsored by Donnelley Financial Solutions
Compelling recent developments suggest the tipping point is near for issuers across all sectors, as sustainability performance increasingly becomes part of the core data institutional investors require for their investment analysis. Attend this panel discussion to learn how the buy-side is looking at your company’s ESG performance and how it factors into their investment decisions. 

Moderator: 
John Truzzolino, Managing Director, Corporate Governance Services, Donnelley Financial Solutions
Speakers: 
Valérie Cecchini, Portfolio Manager, Mackenzie Financial
Solène Hanquier, Senior Advisor, Responsible Investment, Desjardins Global Asset Management  
Réjean Nguyen, Senior Advisor, Responsible Investment, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Option 3

Board Essentials 
Have you ever wondered what your Board of Directors really wants from investor;relations or what other companies are doing to bring value to the Board? Hear from directors and IROs who have earned a seat at the table;about best practices and creative ways to optimize your interaction with the Board and become a trusted advisor, whether adding value in a face-to-face meeting or providing essential reports.

Moderator: 
Melanie Hennessey, Vice President, Corporate Communications, NOVAGOLD Resources Inc.
Speakers: 
Mike McCarthy, Vice President, Investor Relations, Mitel Networks Corp.
Nathalie Megann, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs, Chorus Aviation Inc.
Colleen Moorehead, Director, Solium Capital
John Phillips, Director, Shopify Inc. 
5:00pm

Cocktails with Exhibitors 
Sponsored by Ipreo
6:30pm

Munch, Mingle & Mischief at the Rec Room




/
Day Three/
Tuesday, June 5
7:30am

Breakfast with Exhibitors
7:45am

CIRI IR Certification Program Information Session
8:30am

The Canadian Economy: Onward & Upward
Sponsored by TD Bank Group
What is the outlook for the Canadian, U.S. and global economies for the second half of 2018 and into 2019? Will real GDP growth slow from the high levels experienced in 2017? How will this impact interest rates? Will commodities finally rebound from their five-year slump? Will job growth continue? Get up to speed as Derek Burleton shares his views.

Speaker:
Derek Burleton, Vice President & Deputy Chief Economist, TD Bank Group
9:30am ;
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Select one)
Option 1

The Fall-out of MiFID II & How it Impacts You
On January 3, 2018, the European Union implemented its revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) to facilitate transparency. MiFID II is focused on unbundling fees, which is having a significant impact on how trades are made and with whom; where research is being distributed and at what cost; and how the buy-side are gaining access to company executives. This well-rounded panel will discuss the impact of the new MiFID II rules from all sides and help IROs prepare for the industry shakeout.

Moderator: 
Yvette Lokker, President & CEO, CIRI
Speakers:
Miki Edelman, Global Head of Sales, Macquarie Securities
Jordan Lorch, Director, Global Head of Equity Client Strategy, RBC Capital Markets
Jacqueline Wagenaar, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, Guyana Goldfields Inc.

Option 2

Small Cap Issuers: Getting Analyst Coverage & Alternatives if You Can’t
Small issuers are often challenged with getting analysts to cover their company. What are the best strategies for approaching analysts? What are the alternatives should you not be able to secure analyst coverage? Are newsletters and paid-for research avenues you should explore? Hear what this panel thinks about these questions. 

Moderator: 
 Rhylin Bailie, Vice President, Investor Relations, Equinox Gold Corp.
Speakers: 
Chris Haldane, Manager, Investor Relations, Marathon Gold 
Eric Zaunscherb, Analyst, Canaccord Genuity Corp.
Option 3

Investor Days & Site Tours: Investors on Your Home Turf
Sponsored by Corbin Advisors
For achieving the primary IR goal — getting investors to understand your company — nothing is more efficient than hosting an event. Whether it is an investor day or a site tour, your analysts and shareholders have carved out several hours for this event, as have your company’s best people, and they will all be looking to you for leadership. Join us for a discussion on how to deliver on what can often be a career-defining moment.

Moderator:
Thang To, Vice President & Director, Investor Relations, Corbin Advisors
Speakers:
Laurie Gaborit, Vice President, Investor Relations, Detour Gold Corp.
Rachelle Girard, Director, Investor Relations, Cameo Corporation
Greg Secord, Vice President, Investor Relations, Open Text Corp.
10:30am

Break & Prize Draws with Exhibitors
11:15am

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Select one)
Option 1

Portfolio Management: Different Strokes for Different Folks
One of the first rules of business is to know your customer but that's not always easy when it comes to IR. After all, much of what our customers, aka portfolio managers, choose to buy depends on factors outside IR's control, such as how they screen for stocks, what their mandates are and what else is already in their portfolio. Come hear from portfolio managers about the variety of approaches they take – value-driven, top-down, bottom-up or growth-oriented – and get to know your customers better.

Moderator:
Ryder McRitchie, Vice President, Capital Markets & Public Relations, Jupiter Resources Inc.
Speakers:
Chris Blake, Senior Portfolio Manager, North American Equities, TD Wealth Management
Patrick Horan, Portfolio Manager, Principal, Agilith Capital
Catharine Sterritt, Portfolio Management & Research, CIBC Asset Management

Option 2

Managing Career Progression, Brand & Visibility
Is there life after IR? What opportunities exist for an IRO wanting to branch out? When is the right time to make that move? Or what if IR is exactly your calling? How does one manage career progression within their field? Former IROs turned corporate directors, an IRO veteran and an executive search professional discuss this and more.

Moderator: 
Sharon Mathers,Former Senior Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, CIBC
Speakers:
Tamara Brown, Vice President, Corporate Development, Primero Mining & Director
Karen Keyes, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Aimia Inc.
Smooch Repovich Reynolds, Managing Director, Global Investor Relations & Chief Communications Officer Practice Group, ZRG Partners LLC
Katherine Vyse, Retired Partner & Senior Vice President, Brookfield Asset Management
Option 3

The Power of the Message 
IR is about more than just numbers...It’s about shaping the way your stakeholders think about and measure your company. Walk through a case study to see the power of the deliberate, consistent, strategic message.

Speakers:
Janet Craig, Principal, Endeavour IR 
Louise Kozier, Partner, Longview Communications & Public Affairs
12:15pm

A Deep Dive on Market Structure & Lunch
Sponsored by National Bank
Canadian market structure continues to evolve and it is the IRO’s job to understand how these changes impact their companies. A panel of experts will discuss major market structure changes including: competition for retail order flow; the changing role of the market maker; IIROC’s proposal for a trade tracking and client identifier system; and growth in ETFs and their impact on liquidity. Learn how these factors may be impacting your stock.

Moderator:
Patrick McEntyre, Managing Director, Electronic Trading & Services, National Bank
Speakers:
Rizwan Awan, Managing Director, Quantitative Trading, BMO Capital Markets
Stephen Bain, Managing Director & Head, Canadian Electronic Trading, RBC Capital Markets
Kevin McCoy, Director, Market Regulation Policy, IIROC
Jonathan Sylvestre, Head, Business Strategy, Equities Trading, TMX Group
1:30pm

Maximizing Your Relationships with Various Capital Market Players
Sponsored by CIBC
Who are the people in capital markets that you interact with every day and who else is out there? Get the most out of your network by reaching beyond your usual contacts. Discover who else in capital markets you can lean on and what insight they can provide.

Moderator:
Rob Sedran, Managing Director & Head of Research, CIBC Capital Markets
Speakers:
Mark Ferguson, Director, Institutional Equity Sales, TD Securities
Michelle Khalili, Managing Director, Private Capital, CIBC
David Ricciardelli, Managing Director, Head of Institutional Equity Sales, Macquarie Group
2:30pm

Reflections on Influence & Impact
The Annual Conference Committee will share their key takeaways from the sessions and demonstrate how IROs are in an excellent position to influence for impact.

Moderator:
Katie Keita, Director, Investor Relations, Shopify Inc.
Speakers:
Erica Belling, Director, Investor & Financial Communications, CIBC
Janet Craig, Principal, Endeavour IR
Mariem Elsayed, Senior Advisor, Investor Relations, Énergir Inc.
3:30PM

Closing Remarks