Directors Forum 2016: Directors, Management & Shareholders in Dialogue

Directors Forum 2016: Set for Opening Reception

Directors Forum 2016 is a ‘must’ in an increasingly complex and volatile environment with expanding investor and stakeholder activism, geo-political unrest and 24/7 political campaigning, boards and management facing unprecedented demands. “Directors Forum 2016: Directors, Management & Shareholders in Dialogue,” hosted by Corporate Directors Forum on January 24-26, 2016, provides a forum for three constituencies who seldom share the stage – directors, shareholders and management (and regulators) – to express their divergent and sometimes contentious perspectives on these and other issues. Get the special corpgov.net discount when you Register. Use promo code: discount16.

Directors Forum 2016: Personal Endorsement

I have been to many of these events in past years and have always found them excellent. Attendance is weighted more towards directors than shareholders but shareholders are certainly represented and there are plenty of opportunities for dialogue. Attendance is much smaller than, for example, something like NYSE’s annual boardroom summits. The atmosphere is intimate, with most events taking place in a small theater environment. There are substantive question and answer sessions, as well as frequent breaks… so you’ll have ample opportunity to engage with speakers and others in attendance. See my notes from the 2015 Forum. I’m sure Directors Forum 2016 will be even better.  

Directors Forum 2016: Keynote by Ed Garden of Train Partners

Keynote speaker Edward P. Garden, CIO & a founding partner, Trian Partners and director, Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will address the experience and process of shareholder activism – purchasing large enough amounts of stock to negotiate desired change in a company. Garden, who was recently named to CNBC’s high-profile Next List, will be interviewed by Wesley W. von Schack, lead director, Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, Edwards Lifesciences and chairman, AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc. Von Schack served on the board of a company that experienced shareholder activism from Trian Partners firsthand, which will make for a lively and engaging discussion from multiple points of view.

Forum 2015 sunset

Directors Forum 2016: Inspirational Setting

This national conference, held at the University of San Diego, brings shareholders together with directors, management and regulators. Attendance at the event is limited by design to encourage personal interaction between attendees and the nation’s leading corporate governance authorities. The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice provides the prefect setting both for intimacy and inspiration.

Hot Topics panel from 2015 Forum

Directors Forum 2016: Panels

One of my perennial favorite panels is “Shareholder Hot Topics.” Was proxy access a temporary phenomenon for 2015? What are the implications of Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14H (CF), which addresses the provisions of Rule 14a-8(i)(9)?  What are the implications of the SEC’s refusal to grant a no-action letter to Sunoco, based on their bylaw that only ‘registered’ shareholders can file or present proposals? Are such strategies productive? These, and many other topics could be discussed. Attending this single session could mean the difference between being prepared for the upcoming proxy season and stumbling.

That’s just the opening salvo. Read the Agenda for Directors Forum 2016 to be alerted to all the other fine panels, speakers and events.

Directors Forum 2016: Additional Keynote Speakers

• Leslie A. Brun, chairman, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. CDK Global, Inc. director, Merck & Co., HP
• Andrew J. Ceresney, director, Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Carol B. Tomé, CFO & EVP, The Home Depot, Inc.; director, UPS; former chair, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

These keynotes will be joined by 35 other corporate governance thought leaders at Directors Forum 2016.

“The Directors Forum conference is the only conference that brings directors, shareholders, and the C-suite together. These groups often have differing perspectives, so this event is their opportunity to speak and be heard,” said Linda Sweeney, executive director, Corporate Directors Forum. “2016 will be a pivotal year, so don’t miss the opportunity to jump in and add to the dialogue.” Agenda for Directors Forum 2016. Register. Notes from 2015 Forum.

On a final personal note from an investor’s standpoint, I find directors who these forums sit on the boards of companies with better prospects than most. After attending Directors Forum 2015, I invested in a couple of them and am happy to report both are doing fine, up an average of more than 10% compared to the S&P 500 being down more than 5%. I haven’t put together a ‘Directors Forum Index’ yet, but it might not be a bad investment strategy.

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