NIRI Chicago 2021 Investor Relations Workshop to Focus on ‘The Evolution of IR’

The Chicago chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI Chicago) will hold its annual Investor Relations (IR) Workshop on Friday, September 24 at the Metropolitan, Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive, 66th Floor, Chicago.

“After almost two years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are looking forward to meeting safely in person for networking with our colleagues and tremendous insights from our knowledgeable speakers, panelists and service providers,” said Rainey Wagner, IR Workshop co-chair. “We’re especially looking forward to our luncheon keynote speaker, noted business consultant and author Ram Charan, who will provide insights on the changing role of the investor relations officer.”

“Our full-day workshop also will offer in-depth discussions of topics important to our members, such as the rise of the retail investor and how to manage environmental, social and governance programs from the investor relations standpoint,” said Shawn Alcaraz, IRC, IR Workshop co-chair. “The NIRI Chicago IR Workshop is truly a once-a-year opportunity for professional development that you won’t want to miss.”

Highlights of the 2021 IR Workshop will include:

• Luncheon Keynote: The Changing Role of IR: A recent Harvard Business Review article on The Changing Role of the Investor Relations Officer sent something of an earthquake tremor though the rarefied world of investor relations. Why this and why now? Co-author and business consultant Ram Charan will discuss insights from this article and a new book, Talent, Strategy, Risk: How Investors and Boards are Redefining TSR. Charan's insights, shared with millions through his books and articles in top business publications, have been praised for being practical, relevant and highly actionable – the kind of advice you can use on Monday mornings.

• C-Suite and Board Perspectives: Every day, investor relations officers are being asked to do more outside the traditional bounds of IR – including environmental, social and governance (ESG) communications and corporate strategy. In taking on these broader roles, investor relations officers also need to evolve their leadership skills to ensure their companies effectively plan and communicate to investors and other stakeholders. Our panelists will offer senior executive perspectives on how IR officers can excel within and beyond IR’s traditional scope.

• Elevate Your ESG Game: ESG topics are here to stay as a focal point in IR officers’ daily conversations. What do investors and other stakeholders most want to know about your company’s ESG/sustainability initiatives and successes? How can you better collaborate with your firm’s ESG experts and make ESG work better for you and your company? Our panelists will share insights from their successful ESG programs, including strategies to help IR officers navigate ESG complexities whether you are a team of one or many.

• Rise of the Retail Investor: While GameStop, AMC and other “meme stocks” grabbed headlines during the pandemic, these are not the only companies with a meteoric rise in the number of individual shareholders. Retail investors account for roughly 20% of stock-market activity on average and nearly one-quarter of trades on peak days, according to Citadel Securities. Our panelists will discuss the rise of the retail investor, why it matters and how IROs are addressing this increasingly active and vocal shareholder base.

NIRI Chicago’s annual full-day IR Workshop is open to the public and has attracted attendees from throughout the Midwest. The event begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, September 24 with registration, breakfast and an exhibitor showcase of the latest IR services. The cost is $225 for NIRI Chicago members and $300 for non-members. Additional information and registration information can be found on the NIRI Chicago 2021 IR Workshop webpage.

2021 IR Workshop Sponsors and Exhibitors

NIRI Chicago thanks the following sponsors and exhibitors: Anonymous Design, Bell Litho, Business Wire, ModernIR, Morrow Sodali, NYSE and Rivel.

About NIRI Chicago

The Chicago chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI Chicago) provides professional development and networking opportunities to practitioners of investor relations, a strategic management responsibility that integrates finance, communication, marketing and securities law compliance. For more information, visit www.nirichicago.org.

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Register today for blockbuster #investorrelations information and networking at the #NIRIChicago #IRWorkshop. https://www.nirichicago.org/news-and-events/ir-workshops/2021-IR-Workshop/default.aspx