Registration Is Open for the Forum

It's time to set a new standard in equity compensation. Welcome to the right place with the right people: The National Equity Compensation Forum, September 14-16, 2011 at the Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Kierland Resort & Spa hosts NECF

Breaking with Convention

The Forum's theme "Breaking with Convention" is GEO's response to the demand of an unfilled niche. "After considerable feedback from our US-based chapter members, we decided to provide a place where experienced professionals can take a step back to reflect on their equity pay plans from a strategic perspective; where they can discuss topics surrounding the fast-paced and changing landscape of equity compensation among peers at their level," says Michael Bendorf, GEO's Executive Director. "We want them to walk away from the Forum with a better understanding of the role equity compensation plays in their organization's overall pay strategies and, more importantly, how it contributes to the overall success of the company."

Be First Among Peers

GEO itself is breaking with convention as it scores a number of "firsts" in our history as a leading worldwide resource for information on equity compensation. The Forum marks the first time GEO will hold an event of this size, targeted at high-level professionals within a single country. It is the first time the speaker selection team is comprised of senior professionals who will determine the content relevant to the Forum's audience, including issue-based plenary sessions and discussions with senior-level panels.

Also, strategic symposiums presented by WorldatWork and the National Center of Employee Ownership will examine the role of equity compensation within a total rewards perspective for public and private companies alike.

A Good Time to Network

The opportunity for attendees to meet peers of their caliber is one of the best-received features of our events. We also know it's too easy to gravitate toward the people we already know, so we've created the Forum schedule with an eye toward connecting people, including a quick session on how to effectively network.

Fees & Hotel Information
Issuers: $895 early registration before June 30
Providers: $1195 early registration before June 30

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
6902 East Greenway Parkway
Scottsdale, Arizona

Forum Room Rate: $189 per night

Visit our site for more information and to register for the event. We'll see you in Scottsdale!

Peers Shaping the Forum

As I write, the Speaker Selection team is meeting to consider the presentation proposals sent to the Global Equity Organization for NECF. The proposals cover the areas of administration, plan design, compliance & tax, governance, international, communications as well as other relevant topics.

The team—Keith Pearce of Intel, Clinton Shoap of Cargill, Sandra Sussman of Gilead Sciences, and Ellen Swarthout of Silver Springs Network—has met with GEO's Carine Schneider, Michael Bendorf, and Jennifer Jolin in Foster City, California. All are experienced, senior HR compensation professionals who come to the table with different perspectives. I'm a fly on the wall, as the team takes a thorough look at each proposal to weigh its merit in the areas of subject matter, quality of content, timeliness, as well as the speaker, and throughout the process they keep coming back to the same question: Does the presentation offer strategic value?

We are setting a high standard for our content because we want to create a Forum on how companies can enhance their relationship with their employees using equity compensation as a tool. So we're taking step to ensure that we address the needs of senior professionals.

Our thanks to Sandra Sussman and Gilead Sciences for hosting our meeting, and thanks to the Speaker Selection team for taking time out to help GEO build a strong Forum. A very special thanks to all who submitted proposals. We'll release the agenda next week as registration opens for NECF May 9.

It Takes a Village ...

Although GEO is pleased to host the Forum, it's not something we can ever think about doing on our own. In addition to our very generous sponsors, we're fortunate to be working with three leading non-profit organizations as Association Partners for the Forum: WorldatWork, National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and, most recently, the Great Place to Work Institute®, publishers of the annual 'Best Places to Work Survey.' We're pleased to have the three associations involved and are happy to witness the added depth they'll provide to the Forum discussions.

Breaking with Convention: A Quick Look at the National Equity Compensation Forum

Executive Director Michael Bendorf gives a quick, informative rundown of what to expect at the upcoming NECF this fall in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Countdown Has Begun!

We are just days away from open registration for the upcoming Forum, September 14-16, 2011, and we've a countdown clock to the site. Just looking at it gets our engines revved. We are in full planning mode here at GEO. We have a strong list of founding sponsors, our staff is excited about our Forum host the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, and Executive Director Michael Bendorf will be meeting with the Speaker Selection Committee for NECF next week.

We're also preparing for GEO's appearance at Total Rewards 2011 Conference and Exhibition next month, where we're offering a few opportunities win our giveaway. It's very cool, and it'll be very useful at the Forum for what we have planned. We know you'll want one.

Our ad in the May issue of Workspan magazine is due to be out soon, but decided to preview it here. If you're planning to attend, drop by our booth #634. There's more news to come, so stay tuned!

Stay Connected with GEO

At Global Equity Organization, we constantly explore new and creative ways to support our local chapters. One of our main goals is to raise GEO’s profile among equity compensation professionals to increase our membership. Toward that end, we offer easier ways for active and prospective members to connect with GEO. Here’s what’s on tap:

Blogs

This month, GEO launches three new blogs. Whenever we have special announcements or exclusive news, you’ll hear it here first:

• The Exec Blog: Executive Director Michael Bendorf shares his insights and opinions regarding equity compensation and wants to hear your thoughts too. 
• The International Conference: We’ll keep you updated about the latest news on GEO’s 12th Annual International Conference in Amsterdam this summer. 
• The NECF 2011 Blog: Stay in touch with and get all of the details on what to expect at the Forum as we “break with convention” in Scottsdale, Arizona in the fall.

YouTube
Subscribe to GEO’s channel. Watch for us to post new videos that you can share with colleagues or embed on your personal or professional site.

LinkedIn
We have new discussion groups available. If you haven’t done so yet, ”Follow GEO”, and take part in discussions of the latest news in equity compensation and our upcoming events.

Facebook
If you’re on Facebook, ”Like” GEO’s page to see our updates as they happen.

Twitter
Spread the word! Follow geonecf. All the news that’s fit to print in 140 characters. :)

We'll see you on the social network!