Hi! My name is Aneta Kaps, and I recently attended CIRI’s 2025 Annual Investor Relations Conference as a first-time attendee. Attending the Conference was an enlightening experience, filled with insightful sessions and networking opportunities, which I am excited to share.

As the Director of Financial Reporting at Bird Construction, I was presented with the opportunity to attend this Conference by our CFO to deepen my understanding of investor relations. In my role, I navigate the complexities of IFRS and non-GAAP measures, and I hope that the insights gained from this Conference will complement my role in preparing financial reporting documents and supporting investor relations disclosures. As a bonus, I was also excited to visit the beautiful, scenic Niagara-on-the-Lake, which was the location of the Conference, an ideal setting to connect with peers and explore the town.

Leading up to the Conference, the CIRI organizing committee extended a warm welcome. When I arrived, the organizers introduced me to several attendees, and I was pleased to receive a ‘First Time CIRI Attendee’ ribbon. The downloaded CIRI Conference app was a neat feature, providing key details about the event and further allowing me to recognize and engage with Conference participants. The evening began with introductions and mingling with attendees, exhibitors, and guest speakers over cocktails. What struck me immediately was the enthusiasm and passion of everyone, and the excitement about what the next two days would bring.

The next day, following Breakfast with Exhibitors and CIRI Welcome & Opening Remarks, we started with our first session, Navigating the Now: Macroeconomic Insights. This session was one of my favourites and served as an excellent foundation to kick-start the Conference. What better way to start a day of learning than by delving into the current state of our world? This session touched on the current economic landscape, tariff implications and the importance for IR professionals of understanding the macroeconomic environment. As a financial reporting professional, it was important for me to understand how global economic trends and geopolitical pressures impact a company's performance and how I could articulate these impacts in our disclosures to build investor confidence.  

The two-day program featured a variety of learning sessions, including breakout and teach-in sessions, allowing attendees to select the sessions that best suited their interests. From ESG reporting to the role of Artificial Intelligence in Investor Relations, there was something for every attendee to learn. Each session sounded so compelling that I found myself frequently changing my mind as to which session to attend. My decisions were guided by my financial reporting background and the sessions that would best complement my role. I appreciated that the sessions were being recorded so attendees could revisit the sessions they missed. The first session I chose was In the Hot Seat: IR’s Role in Crisis Responses. Nobody loves a crisis, but during such times, clear and transparent communication is crucial. Each panellist offered a perspective and advice on handling turbulent times in a way that reassured investors. I valued the diversity of thoughts and approaches on this topic, and the Q&A sessions provided plenty of opportunities to engage with the panellists.

Another session I enjoyed was Presenting to Senior Executives and Boards. Senior executives and Board members need concise, clear and impactful communication to make decisions. As a financial reporting professional, being aware of my communication style and improving how I can present information clearly and concisely is important. The speaker conveyed these important concepts and the tools and technologies available to help us.

The final session on the second day of the Conference, titled Insights from the Buy-Side on Market Outlooks, Strategies and IR Expectations was also a highlight for me. Before attending this session, my understanding of buy-side perspectives was limited; however, this session, featuring three distinguished guest speakers, provided valuable insight into what buy-side investors expect from companies in terms of communication and engagement.

There were ample opportunities to connect with peers and learn about the exhibitors and their services over breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks. For instance, Lumi Global, a leading provider of digital meeting solutions, shared valuable insights into innovative trends and global practices with respect to earnings calls, investor days and AGMs. I gathered a few takeaways that I later shared with my colleagues at work. I also took advantage of the opportunity to get my professional headshot taken at the PENDA booth, which was a nice touch for the CIRI organizers to include.

Although my professional background is not in IR, this Conference was exceptionally valuable and relevant to my work, offering new perspectives and strategies that I could apply directly to my role. Therefore, I recommend this Conference to professionals with financial backgrounds. If your professional background is in IR, I would also recommend continuing to attend these Conferences as this is a great way to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new attendees and stay updated on the latest trends in the profession.

Finally, what made this experience truly special was the opportunity to connect with industry professionals on a personal level. Sharing experiences and learning from the best in the field was incredibly enriching. I was eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible, and the enthusiasm and expertise of the speakers and attendees made the experience even more rewarding. Overall, I left the Conference with a renewed sense of purpose and new ideas to implement. I am excited to apply what I've learned in my role.