CIRI British Columbia Chapter Update.

How is your relationship with your CFO? Do you check in once a quarter to ‘get the numbers’ or are you in regular contact? About 45 people gathered in Vancouver in April to hear a very accomplished and diverse panel discuss the relationship between IROs and CFOs and ways to ensure that public company financial information is well communicated to investors.

Depending on the stage of a company’s growth, the CFO and IRO are likely to have more or less communication.  Generally, as a company’s production or sales increase, the financial information becomes more complex.

The speakers agreed that regardless of company size, the CFO/IRO relationship is critical to ensuring investors have the financial information they require. Just as IROs cultivate relationships with shareholders, brokers and fund managers, it is important to foster internal corporate relationships as well.  

A warm thanks to the panelists: Greg Waller, Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategic Analysis at Teck Resources Limited; Greg Martin, Senior Vice President and CFO at Silver Standard Resources Inc.; Steve Krause, CFO at Bear Creek Mining Corporation; and Tim McNulty, CFO and Corporate Secretary at Central Resources Corp.

CIRI Alberta Chapter Update

CIRI Alberta continued its educational programs in March with a half-day presentation and media training seminar. Neil Grammer, Partner at Dialogue Strategies Inc., hosted the session and provided an opportunity for IROs to hone their skills in delivering messages to a wide variety of audiences – including buy-side investors, the media and the sell-side – in a succinct, clearly articulated, confident and credible manner.

The Chapter kicked off its inaugural mentorship breakfast series in April with a Fireside Chat with Richard Downey, Vice President, Investor/Corporate Relations and Market Research, Agrium Inc. Downey spoke about the Agrium/JANA proxy battle and important steps he took to prepare, engage and persuade his shareholders to vote.

CIRI Alberta will hold its AGM and Pre-CIRI Conference Networking Event in May. The Chapter is seeking candidates for its 2013-2014 Board of Directors. We're looking for people with fresh ideas and new insights who are eager to help ensure that our organization is vibrant and relevant in serving the needs of its members.

Long-time CIRI (and, before that, NIRI Canada) member Linda Zavarella announced her retirement from Imperial Oil after more than 35 years of service. Zavarella contributed greatly to CIRI over the past 25 years, including a stint as a Director on the CIRI Ontario Board, as well as serving as Secretary of the CIRI Alberta Board from 2006-2013. She was recognized in 2009 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CIRI Alberta Chapter. The Board of Directors of CIRI Alberta expresses its sincere appreciation for the significant time and effort Zavarella has invested in CIRI’s success and hopes members will join her at the upcoming CIRI Conference in Whistler.  

We encourage members to contact Alberta Board members with ideas for programs or interest in getting involved.

CIRI Ontario Chapter Update

CIRI Ontario is asking its members to ‘Save the Date’ for a number of exciting events.

On Monday June 3, 2013, CIRI Ontario will host its first CIRI Ontario Sparkler at the National Conference in Whistler to celebrate its members and their commitment to excellence. All CIRI Ontario members attending the conference are invited to join us on the breathtaking Woodlands Rooftop Terrace, Chateau Whistler, as we raise a champagne toast to our members. We hope to see you there.

The Programming Committee of the CIRI Ontario Board is actively working on a number of professional development events for the fall and early 2014. Mark these dates in your calendars:

September 24, 2013 – Dark Pool Trading

October 29, 2013 – On the Road: Targeting and Measuring

November 26, 2013 – View from the Sell-Side

Late November/early December, 2013 – Holiday Gala

January 28, 2014 – Better Understanding Proxy Advisory Firms

March 25, 2014 – Social Media and IR: What You Really Need to Know

April 29, 2014 – Messaging IR through a Leadership/Branding Change

More information will be communicated over the next few months.

CIRI Quebec Chapter Update

The Quebec Chapter held its first 2013 event in March. Entitled The Best and Worst of IR, this ‘think tank’ was a lively interactive discussion. Five panelists described their experiences. The session was moderated by Neil Stewart, Editor of IR Magazine, and was followed by a cocktail reception. The second Spring event was a lunch and fireside chat with Diane Bérard of Les Affaires and Maarika Paul, Executive Vice President & CFO of Caisse de Dépot de Québec. Topics discussed included: the ever-changing role of finance; the role of the CFO today; and insight into the fascinating role of IR.