WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
If you need more information, please contact a member of the GEO Team.
During the event, all GEO Staff and Volunteers will be wearing bright red EVENT STAFF badges.
JW Marriott Austin Hotel
110 East 2nd Street,
Austin, Texas, USA, 78701
The closest airport near JW Marriott Austin is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). AUS is located approximately 6.6 Miles from the hotel.
Check-in: 15.00 PM, Check-out: 11.00 AM
The conference agenda is published on our website and on the event app (coming soon).
Please check whether you are eligible to attend the pre-conferece events on Monday 20 April.
ISSUER ATTENDEE ARRIVALS
For all issuers, the main conference begins at 8.30 AM on Tuesday 21 April.
PROVIDER/NON-ISSUER ATTENDEE ARRIVALS
For all other attendees the conference starts at 10:00 AM on Tuesday 21 April on Level 4.
ALL-ATTENDEE CHECK-IN
All attendees can check in and collect their badge from 12:00 PM on Monday 20 April and each morning from 8am in the JW Grand Foyer on Level 4.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR ATTENDEE BADGE TO ALL CONFERNCE SESSIONS AND EVENTS
GENERAL DRESS CODE
Business / Business casual
Due to varying temperatures in the meeting rooms, we recommend that you bring a jacket or sweater to all sessions.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Casual (including jeans)
Our opening night party will be relaxed - please wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
25TH GEO AWARDS GALA
Silver theme (black tie optional)
For the awards gala, you can choose to wear black tie, formal, or smart dress. In celebration of our 25th year of celebrating share plan excellence, we invite you to add a touch of silver to your outfit!
A web-based version of the GEO Austin event app will be available to access at this link.
You can also download the app to your device by searching for the 'GEO Austin 2026' in the Apple App Store and 'GEO’s 26th Annual' in the Google Play Store.
Once you have accessed the app, enter the email address that you registered with and hit continue. You will receive an email with your passcode.
NOTE: This passcode will NOT change, and you will be able to use the same code whenever you login.
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON
You can use the app to:
- View the agenda and speakers
- Review session materials
- Create your own personal schedule
- Message attendees
- Share photos
- Rate sessions
- Play to win prizes...and more!
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON
Get your game on in the mobile app and join us in a little friendly competition during the event!
Find as many answers as you can - those with the most points have a chance to win our top prize:
A FREE PASS AND COMPLIMENTARY ACCOMMODATION* AT GEO ANNUAL 2027!
The competition is always tough, so download the GEO AUSTIN EVENT APP and get started as soon as you can! The competition closes at 12pm on Thursday 23 April.
*In the conference hotel for the duration of the event only.
All attendees seeking to earn credits must check in and check out of each session in their event app to create a time stamp that qualifies them for CPE credit.
GENERAL CREDITS
To self-serve continuing education credits, please visit your relevant online provider:
- CEPI Connect for Certified Equity Professionals
CPE CREDITS
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are eligible to receive CPE credit for attending and participating in GEO's live panel sessions that are 50 minutes or more. Focus and Lightning sessions do not quality for CPE credits.
If you have registered a guest for a special event, please collect their tickets at the GEO Help Desk at registration in the JW Grand Foyer on Level 4.
To purchase special event tickets, modify your registration HERE.
If you or your guest can no longer attend a special event, please let the GEO team know and drop any redundant guest tickets at the GEO Help Desk in the JW Grand Foyer.
During the event, dedicated high-speed wireless internet access is available in and around the meeting space area.
Access details will be provided closer to the event.
We encourage you to share photos and comments before, during and after the conference!
VIA THE EVENT APP
Post your photos and comments in the activity feed of the mobile app to engage with your fellow attendees.
ON SOCIAL
Be sure to tag your social media posts using #GEOAnnual and mention @Global Equity Organization to share your experience with the wider share plan community
All vendor exhibits will be located in the JW Grand Ballroom on Level 4, which opens at the following times:
TUESDAY, 21 APRIL - 10.00 AM
WEDNESDAY, 29 APRIL - 8.45 AM
THURSDAY, 30 APRIL - 11.45 AM
The follwing items are included in all GEO conference tickets:
- Access to all sessions including keynotes
- Lunch and refreshment breaks
- Opening Night Party
- GEO Awards
- High-speed wifi
- CPE credits - scan in and out of each session on your event app to qualify
No RSVP is needed for our special events—only guests of attendees and those attending bonus events require a ticket for entry.
ALL ATTENDEES
Tuesday, 21 April
- Opening Night Party
| 17.00 PM – 22.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday, 22 April
- GEO Awards
| 19.00 PM – 22.00 PM | JW Grand Ballroom, Level 4 - GEO Awards After Party
| 22.00 PM – Late | Edge Rooftop, Level 5
CHAPTER LEADERS
Monday, 20 April
- Chapter Leader Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
GEO FELLOWS
Monday, 20 April
- Fellows, Future Leaders & Elevate Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday, 22 April
- Fellows-only Breakfast | 8.00 – 9.00 | Venue to be confirmed
- GEO Awards – Reserved Tables | 19.00 – 22.00 I Lone Star Ballroom, Level 3
ISSUER ATTENDEES
Tuesday, 21 April
- Issuer Advisory Council Meeting | 15.45 PM – 16.15 PM | Venue to be confirmed
- Issuer-Only Connect and Collaborate 9.00 AM – 10.30 AM | Venue to be confirmed
FUTURE LEADERS
Monday, 20 April
- Fellows, Future Leaders & Elevate Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday, 22 April
- Class of 2024 Wrap Party | 19.00 PM – 20.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
FIRST TIMERS/NEWBIES
Tuesday, 21 April
First Timers Networking | 16.15 PM – 17.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Don't forget to stick a bee or two to your lanyard on registration!
GEOelevate
Monday, 20 April
- Fellows, Future Leaders & Elevate Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Sessions may be audio or video recorded.
Copies of all presentation slides will be located on GEOlearn and in the event app.
GEOfit Club is open to everyone - meet at the allocated meeting point (to be confirmed) at 7am if you fancy a walk, jog or a run each morning of the conference.
CPE is closely audited and we must provide evidence that you have attended the whole session for you to qualify for credit.
To qualify, you must:
- Check in to the session in your event app at start of each session
- Check out in your event app at the end of the session to create a time stamp.
Note: Sessions less than 50 minutes, including Focus or Lightning sessions, do not qualify for CPE credit.
✔️ A 'touch of sliver' for your 25th GEO Awards outfit
✔️ Notebook or tablet for jotting down those brilliant ideas
✔️ Chargers and power bank (because outlets are gold)
✔️ Comfortable shoes – your feet will thank you
✔️ A go-to sweater or jacket – meeting rooms have a mind of their own
✔️ An open mind and your best networking smile 😄
SPONSOR AND EXHIBITOR FAQ
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your booth, exhibit materials or sponsorship activations, please contact Kate Scorer from the GEO team.
MOVE-IN
Monday, 20 April 12:00 PM - 17:00 PM
MOVE-OUT
Thursday, 23 April 15:30 PM - 20:00 PM
Our sponsors and exhibitors are able to collect and access a list of leads during the conference. All attendees with your company have scanning permissions.
- Open the event app and click on the 3-line menu in the top left corner to reveal the app menu.
- At the top of the menu, click the Lead Retrieval button and choose Scan QR to start scanning badges. Note: All attendees have a unique QR code on the front of their badge.
- Answer the lead information questions and click Done. You can then continue to scan leads or view your scanned contacts.
- To download your leads report:
• Visit the Austin 2026 event app
• Login with your email address and passcode
• Click Lead Retrieval on the top left of your screen and click Export.
You can choose to download an Excel file or send the report by email at any time. Contact Mary Potter for details and training.
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON
Time is reserved for companies to host client events on Monday 20 April from 19.00 PM
All vendor exhibits will be located in the JW Grand Ballroom on Level 4. The exhibit hall opens at the following times:
TUESDAY, 21 APRIL - 10.00 AM
WEDNESDAY, 22 APRIL - 8.00 AM
THURSDAY, 23 APRIL - 8.45 AM
Your booth should be manned during all refreshment and lunch breaks.
Visit the Sponsor and Exhibitor section of the GEO Austin Event App Guide to find out how to make the most of the app, including
- LEAD SCANNING AND RETRIEVAL: Scan attendee QR codes, rate interest, add notes, and export detailed lead records instantly.
- REPORTING AND ANALYTICS: Track booth visits, scans, and link clicks in real time. Access and export comprehensive activity reports.
- ENHANCED ONLINE PROFILE: Showcase products, documents, videos, and links, creating a central engagement hub.
- ONLINE BOOTH EDITING: Customize your digital booth to enhance your online presence directly within the app.
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON
SPEAKER FAQ
If you have questions at any stage, need guidance on content, or require assistance, please contact Kaitlyn Hallman from the GEO team.
GEO’s annual conferences usually welcome senior-level equity compensation, HR, finance, legal, and global mobility professionals from 20+ countries.
For a breakdown of attendees, including job titles, at previous conferences, please see our attendee analysis.
Please note that all deadlines listed below are firm. Missing a deadline may impact your ability to present.
- Session confirmation deadline: 9 January 2026
- Speaker registration deadline: 31 January 2026
- Register on our website at this link.
Are you an Issuer Member speaker? Please use registration code SPFANN26-ISSUER for complimentary registration. Issuer non-members can JOIN GEO for free registration.
- Presentation submission deadline: 20 March 2026
Speakers are required to use the approved 16:9 event slide deck for all presentations.
Any presentations not submitted in the event slide deck format will be returned to the panel for the content can be transferred accordingly.
The approved deck is available on our website at this link.
Conference hotel room availability is subject to change. Early booking is recommended.
Please use the link provided on our website for the best rates, or quote ‘GEO’ if booking directly.
Book your hotel room using the hotel booking link
Hotel room booking deadline: 6 April
Panels and Roundtable Sessions
- Panel sessions are 60 minutes, including Q&A.
- Roundtable sessions are 50 minutes, including Q&A.
- Must include three engagement questions to qualify for CPE credit. Engagement question participation will be conducted by show of hands during the session.
Focus and Lightning Sessions
- Focus sessions are 30 minutes, including Q&A.
- Lightning sessions are 20 minutes, including Q&A.
- Engagement questions are not required.
Attendee Session Check-In/Out
Attendees must check in and out of their session via the Event App to log participation time for CPE tracking. Any attendees who do not have access to the app can use the paper sign in/out sheets located at the door of each room.
Speaker Housekeeping
You will be provided with a document with a list of housekeeping notes – please run through these at the very start of the session.
All presentations will be pre-loaded onto the breakout room laptops. Please note that personal laptops cannot be used for presenting, as this helps ensure smooth and timely transitions between sessions.
Each room will be equipped with:
- Speaker table with chairs
- Laptop with presentation loaded
- Tabletop microphones
- Slide advance remote clicker
- Water for speakers
Onsite support
- Dedicated volunteers will assist with room transitions and general needs
- AV technicians will be nearby to address any technical issues
- Sessions may be video recorded.
- Audio recordings will be made for transcription purposes only and used to create post-event session summaries for attendees.
- Recordings may be published or distributed by GEO in any format.
- Photographs of sessions and speakers may be taken during presentations by GEO’s official event photographer.
- Please direct any specific company content disclaimers to Kate Scorer for review.
Refer to our Speaker Terms and Conditions for further information.
Service provider speakers are strongly discouraged from overtly promoting their services during sessions.
Provider company information should not be included, except where an issuer company description is integral to the case study being presented.
Speakers who engage in overt promotion of their services risk not being selected for future panels.
To ensure a high-quality learning experience for all attendees, we ask speakers to adhere to the following best practices:
- Keep content educational and non-promotional.
- Avoid high-level overviews; focus instead on in-depth, technical, and practical takeaways.
- Include sufficient detail on slides so attendees can reference them after the event.
- Use real-world examples, case studies, or data wherever possible (anonymised as appropriate).
- For panel sessions, encourage dynamic discussion among panelists to offer diverse perspectives.
- Allow adequate time for audience engagement and questions.
Volunteers will provide a five-minute warning before the end of your session. Please remain mindful of your allocated time and conclude as scheduled to help ensure the programme runs smoothly.
We encourage all speakers to promote their session in advance to help drive attendance. GEO will provide LinkedIn promotional materials for your use.
Session details will be promoted via GEO’s website, event app, email communications, and social media marketing channels. We encourage you to like and share any content featuring your session to help maximise engagement.
Speaker headshots and biographies may be used for promotional purposes.