Need Management's Approval to Attend?

If you still need to get your boss' approval to attend this year's Conference, CIRI can help. We have created a letter outlining why you should attend, what you'll gain and an estimated cost breakdown. Simply fill in your information as required and submit it to your boss.

 Click here to download the letter!

2019 Conference Program

Additional speakers and sponsored sessions will be announced as they are confirmed.

Day 1 - Sunday, June 9

 9:00am      Peggy’s Cove Tour

 9:30am      City Spin Segway Tour

 9:30am      Halifax Harbour Kayak Tour

12:00pm     Registration

 4:30pm      Perfecting your Personal Pitch

As an IRO, you spend most of your time developing and pitching your company story. But what about developing and pitching yourself? During this session, gain insight on current market trends with respect to corporate hiring; key skill sets and characteristics sought for the IR role; and how you can best tailor your development. This will be an open, collaborative session with an opportunity to ask questions and gain insights into your own career development.

Speaker:
Marnie Smith, Senior Client Partner, Korn Ferry

 5:30pm      Conference Kick-off Cocktails

Day 2 - Monday, June 10

 7:00am      Registration / Breakfast with Exhibitors

 8:00am      Welcome & Opening Remarks

 8:15am      Emera: Canada’s Energy Powerhouse
Sponsored by CIBC

As one of Canada’s largest investors in regulated electricity generation, Emera leads the way in delivering clean energy to customers and creating value for shareholders and communities. Scott Balfour, President & CEO, will talk about Emera’s success, how it has been achieved, his views on the IR function and how IR contributes to the success of the organization.

Speakers:
Scott Balfour, President & CEO, Emera Inc.
Ken McOnie, Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasurer, Emera Inc. (Moderator)

9:15am      Breakout Sessions (select one)

Option #1    A Deep Dive on Market Structure
Sponsored by IR Magazine

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: SEC and CSA access fee pilots; market data fees; arrival of new marketplaces; MiFID II; and the growth in ETFs and their impact on liquidity. Learn how these factors may be impacting your stock.

Speakers: 
Ben Ashwell, Editor, IR Magazine (Moderator)
Peter Haynes, Managing Director, Index Products, Institutional Equities, TD Securities 
Kevin Sampson, President, Equity Trading, TMX Group
Kevin Tyrrell, Senior Director, Strategy & Research, NYSE

Option #2    Evolving Approaches to IR Marketing
Sponsored by Rose & Company

With the evolving investor landscape, issuers are challenged to deliver meetings with quality investors to management. This session will highlight opportunities and approaches to creating a value enhancing marketing program that will help you to stay the course to attract new capital, maintain existing shareholders and navigate a world that is increasingly trading with the macro trends.

Speakers:
Lorne Gorber, F.CIRI, Executive Vice President, Investor & Public Relations, CGI Inc.
Kyle Preston, Director, Investor Relations, Vermillion Energy Inc.
Simon Rose, Chief Executive Officer, Rose & Company (Moderator)

Option #3    Trends in ESG Reporting
Sponsored by TMX Group

ESG has literally become an alphabet soup so how can IROs make sense of it all? During this session you will get an overview of the key reporting frameworks; learn which of these are most commonly used by issuers and investors; and hear how issuers are integrating and leveraging ESG in their IR programs. Preliminary highlights of research conducted by CIRI and sponsored by the TMX Group will be shared. 

Speakers:
Stephanie Amaimo, Vice President, Investor Relations, Fortis Inc.
Sarah Keyes, Principal – Research, Guidance and Support, CPA Canada
Eliza Riego, Head, Product and Service Innovation, TMX Group (Moderator)
Sophie Van Houtte, Regional Head, TSX Company Services

10:15am      TSX Market Open & Break with Exhibitors

11:00am      Breakout Sessions (select one)

Option #1  M&A Activity & Trends

Canada saw a strong market for M&As in 2018 but will this trend continue into 2019? Hear from a diverse panel of experts on the conditions that impact M&A activity, from the global economy to the political environment, plus hear how senior IROs have successfully navigated these high-stake transactions.

Speakers: 
Tyler Burns, Investor Relations, Canopy Growth Corporation
Nick Kuzyk, Chief Strategy Officer & Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, High Tide Inc.
Walied Soliman, Global Chair & Canadian Chair, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Ann Wilkinson, Investor Relations & Communications Professional (Moderator)

Option #2    ESG Integration: Views from the Street
Sponsored by Corbin Advisors

Once thought of as a niche perspective, today Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration is gaining traction at investment houses big and small. Hear how representatives from the buy-side and sell-side are using ESG data and integrating them into their models to meet client needs, analyze investment risk and drive value creation.

Speakers: 
Gemma Bakx, Vice President & Director, Investor Relations, Corbin Advisors (Moderator)
Dominique Barker, Portfolio Manager, Senior Analyst, ESG & Real Estate, CIBC Asset Management

Philippe Belanger, Senior Advisor, Responsible Investments, Desjardins Global Asset Management
Patrick Bryden, Director, Oil & Gas - E&P, Scotiabank
Jennifer Coulson, Vice President, ESG, BCI

Option #3  Strategic IR: Bringing Street Intelligence in House

As an IRO, you are responsible for the two-way dialogue between the company and the Street. While much of your time with capital market participants is spent discussing the company's strategy and performance, it is also important to listen to their views of the company and bring those in house. Hear what insights IROs are sharing with their management teams and Boards, what insights management and Directors want IROs to share and how this information may impact the strategy and messaging for the company.

Speakers:
Trent Stangl, President, three dimes inc. (Moderator)
David Smith, Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
Lavonne Zdunich, Director, Investor Relations & Communications, Keyera Corp.

12:00pm    AGM, Awards Ceremony & Networking Lunch
Sponsored by West Corporation

 1:30pm     In Conversation with the Street
Sponsored by Business Wire

As an IRO, the sell- and buy-side are your key external stakeholders and therefore play a vital role in your success. Not only must you deliver your company’s messages to this audience, you must gather insights from them that can be shared with your management team and Board. Here’s an opportunity to hear what they think on a variety of topics including: guidance, passive vs. active investing; ESG integration; MiFID II; plus what they expect from you.

Speakers: 
Dominique Barker, Portfolio Manager, Senior Analyst, ESG & Real Estate, CIBC Asset Management
Brian Ector, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets & Public Affairs, Baytex Energy Corporation (Moderator)
Manash Goswami, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, First Asset 
Yuri Lynk, Managing Director, Equity Research, Canaccord Genuity Corp.   

 2:30pm      Break with Exhibitors

 3:00 pm     Breakout Sessions (select one)

Option #1   Investor Targeting How To
Sponsored by Nasdaq IR Intelligence

While broker-sponsored marketing is one of the premier components of investor relations, new machine learning and tools are being increasingly adopted by IROs. Add to this, a post-MiFID II environment where brokers are less able to give issuers a good idea of investor targets owing to fewer direct conversations with investors. Hear from seasoned IROs who will share their experiences marketing in Canada and abroad using new tools and techniques for investor targeting. Leave this session with practical advice on how to target key markets and maximize your marketing efforts in an environment that places increased demands on IROs.

Speakers: 
Dennis Alvarez, Senior Director, Capital Markets, Nasdaq (Moderator)
Marina Davies, Associate Vice President, Investor Relations, Canadian Tire Corporation
Dave Hughes, Vice President, Investor Relations, Imperial Oil Limited
Vin Madan, Director, Commercial Properties, Dream Global

Option #2   Proxy Season – What’s IRs Role?
Sponsored by AST Trust Company (Canada)/D.F. King

Traditionally, proxy season has been managed almost exclusively by a company’s legal team. However, expectations have changed and investors are increasingly looking for deeper engagement with a company with respect to a range of topics including corporate governance, board composition, executive compensation and how these link to corporate strategy and performance. The result creates an important opportunity for IROs to leverage their skill set and relationships and work collaboratively with their legal coworkers in engaging with key investors to ensure a smooth vote.

Speakers:
Louis Cordone, Senior Vice President, AST Trust Company (Canada)/D.F. King (Moderator)
Alice Dunning, Senior Director, Investor Relations, CIBC
Karen Keyes, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Aimia Inc.

Option #3   Pitch Perfect: Creating a Compelling Investment Story
Sponsored by BTV-Business Television

Has your company’s strategy shifted, had a change in leadership or some other significant change that needed to be communicated to the street? How do you know that your company’s story is resonating with investors? During this session, you will learn how IROs have adjusted their company’s story to capture, direct and sustain the attention of others, a key leadership skill.

Speakers: 
Mike Kruchten, CPIR, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets & Corporate Planning, Parex Resources Inc.
Kyle Martens, Director, Capital & Liquidity Management, IGM Financial
Taylor Thoen, CEO, Executive Producer, BTV-Business Television (Moderator)

 4:00pm     ETFs: Challenge, Opportunity or Both?
Sponsored by TD Bank

ETFs are now the investment industry's fastest growing product segment, representing $6.5 trillion+ of global assets including $150 billion+ in Canada. It's imperative that IROs stay current on major ETF trends as these passive investments impact how IROs interact with their shareholder base. Deborah Fuhr will provide insight on current global ETF themes, emerging product developments, institutional usage, the competitive landscape and more.

Speakers: 
Deborah Fuhr, Managing Partner & Co-founder, ETFGI 
Peter Haynes, Managing Director, Index Products, Institutional Equities, TD Securities (Moderator)

 6:00pm      Cocktails with Exhibitors

 7:00pm      CIRI Kitchen Party

Day Three - Tuesday, June 11

 7:30am      Breakfast with Exhibitors

 8:30am      ESG: Investing with a Purpose

ESG is having a significant effect on investing with $2.13 trillion AUM dedicated to sustainable investments in Canada alone. How funds are incorporating ESG into their investment decisions, from ESG integration to negative screening to impact investing varies from one asset manager to another. Hear from Bertrand Millot, of Caisse, as he discusses ESG trends globally, Caisse’s ESG strategy including their four pillars for a lower carbon portfolio, how Caisse engages with issuers and what issuers should be aware of regarding their own ESG initiatives.

Speaker: 
Denis Jasmin, Vice President, Investor Relations, SNC Lavalin Group Inc. (Moderator)
Bertrand Millot, Vice President, Head of Investment Stewardship, Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec

 9:30am      Breakout Sessions (select one) 

Option #1   Model Behaviour: How IROs Track & Maintain Internal Models & Why

In an environment where fewer sell-side analysts are required to cover an expanded company universe, analysts are relying more heavily on IROs to keep them informed on current trends and valuation inconsistencies in their financial models. During this session, you will learn what IROs are doing to manage this issue, including dedicating more internal resources to the effort and seeking third-party assistance to ensure models reflect key company drivers. Correcting errors and omissions, all while safely staying within the regulatory requirements around selective disclosure, are key issues facing IROs today.

Speakers:
Erica Belling, Director, Investor & Financial Communications, CIBC (Moderator)
Adam Borgatti, CPIR, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations, Aecon Group Inc.
Patrick Ghoche, Vice President, Investor Relations, Bombardier Inc.

Option #2   CIRI’s IR Compensation & Responsibilities Survey 
Sponsored by Global Governance Advisors

Highlights from CIRI's 2019 IR Compensation & Responsibilities Survey will be unveiled. This is your opportunity to learn how the role and compensation of investor relations professionals has evolved since CIRI’s last survey in 2014 plus learn about IR best practices and trends.

Speakers: 
Meghan Brown, Vice President, Investor Relations, Leagold Mining (Moderator)
Peter Landers, Partner, Global Governance Advisors  

Option #3   AI: Language Quantified

Through AI, company disclosure is being reviewed to develop a lexicon unique to that company. This results in sentiment data that predicts the market impact of that company’s disclosure. Investors are using this sentiment to make buy, sell and hold decisions, while the sell-side is using it to get an early gauge on company results to allocate their time more efficiently. Learn how your language is impacting sentiment and investment decisions and what you can do about it.

Speakers:
Yvette Lokker, President & CEO, CIRI (Moderator)
Brian Peterson, COO, Prattle
Malcolm White, Portfolio Manager, Signature Global Asset Management

10:30am      Break & Prize Draws with Exhibitors

11:15am      Breakout Sessions (select one) 

Option #1   Getting Your C-Suite Media Ready
Sponsored by Cision

Your C-Suite has a special set of needs when dealing with the media. They must convey leadership and power and have absolute control during interviews. In this session, you’ll hear how you can better prepare and support your Chiefs when dealing with the media.

Speaker:
Kristan Hines, Vice President, Public Affairs, NATIONAL Public Relations
Elisa Schupp, Vice President, Enterprise & Strategic Sales, Cision (Moderator)

Option #2   Shareholder Activism: What You Need to Know
Sponsored by AST Trust Company (Canada)/D.F. King

Imagine you are enjoying your Sunday morning coffee when a news release crosses the wire announcing that your company is the target of a proxy contest. What do you? How do you respond? Join panellists who have recently managed through headline grabbing shareholder activism to learn how you can best prepare your company to defend against hostile advances.

Speakers: 
Louis Cordone, Senior Vice President, AST Trust Company (Canada)/D.F. King (Moderator)
Laurie Gaborit, Vice President, Investor Relations, Detour Gold Corporation 

Option #3   MiFID II: What's New?
Sponsored by IHS Markit

It’s been approximately 18 months since MiFID II came into effect and the repercussions for those looking to do business in Europe are becoming more evident. In fact, the disruption from this new regulation, changing how institutional investors engage with corporate access and research, has gone beyond European borders. Hear from a panel of senior professionals who have first-hand experience with navigating the new regulatory waters from different perspectives. Their knowledge and insights will help IROs understand the implications of MiFID II and what it means for all key stakeholders.

Speakers: 
Michael Curlook, CPIR, Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications, MAG Silver Corporation
Michael Miller, Director, Investor Relations Advisory, IHS Markit (Moderator)
Bert Powell, Director, Canadian & UK Research, BMO Capital Markets

12:15pm      IR & The Board: How You Can Be a Trusted Advisor
Sponsored by Hansell LLP

IROs have an interesting vantage point through their interactions with various capital market players. This session will explore the role of investor relations in the boardroom. Directors will provide insights on what matters most to Boards and how the IR function can deliver value and strategic perspective benefiting the Board, management and shareholders.

Speakers: 
John Dielwart, Vice Chair & Director, ARC Resources Ltd.
Carol Hansell, Senior Partner, Hansell LLP (Moderator)
Colleen Johnston, Director, Shopify & WestJet
Maryse Saint-Laurent, Director, Turquoise Hill Resources & Guyana Goldfields Inc.

 1:45pm      Closing Remarks


***Sessions, speakers and timing are subject to change