Monday, January 23, 2012
8:00 - 9:15 AM
Registration, Breakfast & Networking
9:15 - 9:40 AM
Washington Intersecting with Activism
This session discusses how corporate activists intersect with the government, and examines these issues as they related to the current climate of public companies
This session discusses how corporate activists intersect with the government, and examines these issues as they related to the current climate of public companies
Panelists:
- JEFF MORGAN, National Investor Relations Institute
9:45 - 10:35 AM
Proxy Fights and Contested Takeovers in Canada
As U.S. investors look to broaden their horizons, Canada is a neighbor with many opportunities. The proxy landscape is significantly different north of the border, and this presentation explains what activists can expect if they plan to invest in Canadian companies.
As U.S. investors look to broaden their horizons, Canada is a neighbor with many opportunities. The proxy landscape is significantly different north of the border, and this presentation explains what activists can expect if they plan to invest in Canadian companies.
Moderator:
- BRAD ALLEN, Laurel Hill
Panelists:
- SANDER GRIEVE, Fraser Milner Casgrain
- JAMIE MOSER, Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
10:40 - 11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:00 - 11:50 AM
Staying Compliant: Responding to New Whistleblower Rules
The whistleblower can be perceived as a hero or a huge problem for management. Either way, management needs to prepare for changes in whistleblower rules.
The whistleblower can be perceived as a hero or a huge problem for management. Either way, management needs to prepare for changes in whistleblower rules.
Moderator:
- MICHAEL LITTENBERG, Schulte Roth & Zabel
Panelists:
- GREGORY ATTORRI, GJA Advisory Services
- LEE SCHNEIDER, CovergEx Group
- DARLA STUCKEY, Governance Professionals
11:55 - 12:45 PM
Exploring Closed End Fund Activism
Closed End Fund activism differs significantly from corporate activism. Many closed end funds suffer from significant discounts to net asset value, but not all are worthy targets for activists. This panel explores how to screen for situations that are amenable to outside involvement.
Closed End Fund activism differs significantly from corporate activism. Many closed end funds suffer from significant discounts to net asset value, but not all are worthy targets for activists. This panel explores how to screen for situations that are amenable to outside involvement.
Moderator:
- JOHN GRAU, InvestorCom
Panelists:
- PHILIP GOLDSTEIN, Bulldog Investors
- ART LIPSON, Western Investment
- WARREN ANTLER, Altman Group
12:45 - 1:45 PM
Networking Luncheon
1:50 - 2:40 PM
Lone Dissident Board Members: Overcoming & Dealing with Resistance
Success in a fight to get on a company's board just sets the stage for another struggle to influence management. The lone dissident board member faces significant challenges, and this panel provides insight on how to make the most of what can be an uncomfortable situation.
Success in a fight to get on a company's board just sets the stage for another struggle to influence management. The lone dissident board member faces significant challenges, and this panel provides insight on how to make the most of what can be an uncomfortable situation.
Moderator:
- TIMOTHY BROG, Peerless Systems Corporation
Panelists:
- ERIC ROSENFELD, Crescendo Partners
- LARRY SEIDMAN, Seidman & Associates
- BRAD TIRPAK, SAVE Partners
2:45 - 3:35 PM
Strategies for Implementing and Overcoming Poison Pills
Shareholder rights plans continue to play a major role in defending against unwanted takeovers. The laws governing these plans continue to change, and this session reviews changes in these laws and new strategies for devising and overcoming poison pills.
Shareholder rights plans continue to play a major role in defending against unwanted takeovers. The laws governing these plans continue to change, and this session reviews changes in these laws and new strategies for devising and overcoming poison pills.
Moderator:
- DAVID ROBBINS, Bingham McCutchen
Panelists:
- JAMES HALLOWELL, Gibson Dunn
- STEPHEN LAMB, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
- DAVID EATON, Glass Lewis
3:35 - 3:55 PM
Networking Break
3:55 - 4:45 PM
Enhancing Shareholder Value: Incorporating High Standards of Corporate Governance into Your Investment Plan
What constitutes good governance in 2012? Governance and laws affecting it both continue to change with the times. The panel addresses the current state of the art in developing effective and ethical governance that works in favor of shareholders and management alike.
What constitutes good governance in 2012? Governance and laws affecting it both continue to change with the times. The panel addresses the current state of the art in developing effective and ethical governance that works in favor of shareholders and management alike.
Moderator:
- JEFF SHAPIRO, Lowenstein Sandler
Panelists:
- CARL HAGBERG, Carl T. Hagberg & Associates
- JARED LANDAW, Barington Capital Group
- ZACHARY OLEKSIUK, BlackRock
- PETER REALI, TIAA-CREF
4:50 - 5:25 PM
Featured Presentation: Activist Investing: A View Inside the Boardroom
This session is a discussion about board dynamics both before and after an activist gets involved in a company. Jeff Smith examines why the inefficient situation developed in the first place and explores the dynamics involved in fixing the company.
This session is a discussion about board dynamics both before and after an activist gets involved in a company. Jeff Smith examines why the inefficient situation developed in the first place and explores the dynamics involved in fixing the company.
Speaker:
- JEFF SMITH, Starboard Value
5:45 - 7:15 PM
The Activist Investor Cocktail Reception
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast & Networking
9:00 - 9:50 AM
Activist Hedge Funds: Examining their Strategy and Objectives
While activists have always sought to enhance shareholder valuations, the means of doing so are changing. This panel examines tried-and-true strategies along with new ones designed for the changing activist environment.
While activists have always sought to enhance shareholder valuations, the means of doing so are changing. This panel examines tried-and-true strategies along with new ones designed for the changing activist environment.
Moderator:
- DAVID ROSEWATER, Schulte Roth & Zabel
Panelists:
- ALON BRAV, Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business
- PETER FELD, Starboard Value
- JOHN FILIPPONE, Bingham McCutchen
- DARREN WALLIS, Alara Capital Partners
9:55 - 10:20 AM
SEC Updates to Rule 14a-8: Proposals of Security Holders
A revised Rule 14a-8 requires companies to include in their proxy materials shareholder proposals seeking to change director nominations. How can management adapt to 14a-8 changes most efficiently?
A revised Rule 14a-8 requires companies to include in their proxy materials shareholder proposals seeking to change director nominations. How can management adapt to 14a-8 changes most efficiently?
Speaker:
- DONNA DABNEY, Alcoa Inc.
10:25 - 10:45 AM
Networking Break
10:50 - 11:40 AM
Strategies for Responding to Investor Activism
This panel of experts discusses the issues that should be considered when counseling boards of directors and management teams on how companies should respond to demands made by an activist investor. The discussion covers: proactive steps that public companies can take before the proxy fight, tactics currently being employed by activists, how to run a successful proxy response campaign coordinating the Public Relations, Legal, Proxy and Management resources at your disposal.
This panel of experts discusses the issues that should be considered when counseling boards of directors and management teams on how companies should respond to demands made by an activist investor. The discussion covers: proactive steps that public companies can take before the proxy fight, tactics currently being employed by activists, how to run a successful proxy response campaign coordinating the Public Relations, Legal, Proxy and Management resources at your disposal.
Moderator:
- DAVID KATZ, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Panelists:
- GREGG FEINSTEIN, Houlihan Lokey
- KEITH GOTTFRIED, Blank Rome
- MAUREEN WOLFF, Sharon Merrill Associates
11:45 - 12:35 PM
Executive Compensation: What Can Activists do to Keep Executive Pay in Line with Performance & Company Valuations
Occupy Wall Street and other populist movements highlight public concern with executive pay, but managers and board directors are faced with increasingly difficult tasks that warrant proper compensation. What metrics are available to activists for determining reasonable amounts of pay?
Occupy Wall Street and other populist movements highlight public concern with executive pay, but managers and board directors are faced with increasingly difficult tasks that warrant proper compensation. What metrics are available to activists for determining reasonable amounts of pay?
Moderator:
- EDWARD FERRIS, Hedge Fund Solutions
Panelists:
- YANIV GRINSTEIN, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University
- PAUL MCCONNELL, Board Advisory
- STEPHEN O'BYRNE, Shareholder Value Advisors
12:40 - 1:40 PM
Networking Luncheon
1:45 - 2:20 PM
Activist Investing in The UK and Australia
Activism is alive and well in the U.K. and Australia, where institutional and high-net-worth players can be very aggressive in demanding management changes and increasing share prices. U.S. investors can enter these markets, but they need to be aware of different regulatory and cultural issues.
Activism is alive and well in the U.K. and Australia, where institutional and high-net-worth players can be very aggressive in demanding management changes and increasing share prices. U.S. investors can enter these markets, but they need to be aware of different regulatory and cultural issues.
Speakers:
- AARON STOCKS, Travers Smith
- JOHN CHAPMAN
2:25 - 3:15 PM
Activism in China: Understanding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Enforcement
Many China-based companies have been accused of poor governance and even illegal activity. The presentation provides insight on the dimensions of the FCPA and tools available to investors considering an activist role in China.
Many China-based companies have been accused of poor governance and even illegal activity. The presentation provides insight on the dimensions of the FCPA and tools available to investors considering an activist role in China.
Moderator:
- JAMES PARKINSON, BuckleySandler
Panelists:
- JAMES TILLEN, Miller & Chevalier
- JEREMY MALTBY, O'Melveny & Myers
3:15 PM
Closing Remarks
Promotional Sponsor
Icahn Responds to Opinion Piece in Reuters
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:27:47 PST
Carl Icahn takes Reuters up on an offer to respond to an opinion piece on his activist methods.... Read More
WSJ: Australian Hedge Funds Eyeing Listed Investment Companies
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:36:07 PST
Industry players told The Wall Street Journal that hedge funds in Australia are preparing to unseat ... Read More
Canadian Pacific CEO Reacts to Activism, Reports Globe and Mail
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:36:07 PST
Canadian Pacific Railway's chief executive has issued a trenchant rebuttal to Pershing Square Capita... Read More
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:27:47 PST
Carl Icahn takes Reuters up on an offer to respond to an opinion piece on his activist methods.... Read More
WSJ: Australian Hedge Funds Eyeing Listed Investment Companies
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:36:07 PST
Industry players told The Wall Street Journal that hedge funds in Australia are preparing to unseat ... Read More
Canadian Pacific CEO Reacts to Activism, Reports Globe and Mail
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:36:07 PST
Canadian Pacific Railway's chief executive has issued a trenchant rebuttal to Pershing Square Capita... Read More
