IPO day may look glamorous from the outside, but equity teams know it’s equal parts celebration and controlled chaos. Behind the confetti is months (or years) of preparation, cross-functional coordination, and high-stakes decision-making that can define the success of a company’s transition to public life.

In this session, the panel will break down what really goes into IPO readiness—from building scalable equity processes and governance frameworks to avoiding the common missteps that catch even experienced teams off guard. Attendees will gain practical insights, real-world lessons learned, and actionable guidance to help their organizations navigate the road to going public with confidence (and fewer surprises).

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Identify the critical equity processes, controls, and data structures that must be in place well before the S-1 is filed.
• Understand where equity teams most often stumble—from data integrity to cross-functional misalignment—and how to proactively mitigate those risks.
• Learn practical frameworks for managing timelines, stakeholders, and last-minute challenges while keeping the equity function calm, credible, and compliant.

As mobility and hybrid work redefine the modern workplace, equity plans must evolve to support a truly borderless workforce. This session explores how leading organizations are adapting plan design, tax and compliance frameworks, and communication strategies to engage remote and mobile employees while maintaining operational efficiency.
Attendees will gain practical insights on navigating cross-border employment, hybrid work models, and global expansion—building inclusive, future-ready equity programs that meet both business and employee needs.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand how hybrid work and global talent mobility impact equity program structure and delivery.
• Learn strategies for handling cross-border tax obligations, regulatory requirements, and operational challenges.
• Explore best practices for aligning equity plans with employee expectations and delivering clear, culturally relevant communications across geographies.

Receiving an executive equity grant can be thrilling—a promise of future wealth with the potential to transform careers. But what happens between the initial grant and the final payout? This session explores the realities versus expectations for employees, executives, and directors, unpacking the complexities of communication, regulation, and strategic planning throughout the executive equity lifecycle.

Participants will gain a comprehensive view of how effective communication aligns expectations, while regulatory frameworks shape the journey from grant to vesting. The session will also examine broader considerations, including tax optimization, succession planning, estate management, and trust creation. 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the full journey from grant to vesting, including common challenges and regulatory considerations.
• Learn strategies to clearly communicate equity value and align expectations for executives, directors, and employees.
• Gain insights into tax optimization, succession planning, estate management, and trust strategies to enhance wealth outcomes.

GEO’s Global Share Plans Ranking Study is the first of its kind, offering a country-level snapshot of the appetite, support, and provision of employee share ownership - and now includes insights from even more countries!
With insights from senior equity compensation issuers and service providers across a growing number of countries, this expanded report paints the bigger picture of employee equity worldwide. This session will dive into key report highlights, uncovering the countries leading the charge in employee equity adoption as well as those with untapped potential.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Explore key findings, including emerging trends and barriers to implementing share plans,
• Learn how to leverage the report to strategically extend plans into new countries or boost participation in your current regions
• Discover actionable insights to enhance your global equity strategies

Tax-qualified equity plans can feel daunting to implement and manage across different countries—but when used strategically, they can offer meaningful advantages for both employers and employees. In this session, local experts from France, Israel, and the UK will share practical insights into the benefits, challenges, and success factors of tax-advantaged equity plans in their respective regions.
 

Recognizing that tax-qualified plans aren’t always the right fit, the discussion will also explore alternative approaches to encouraging employee equity participation when these plans are not viable. Attendees will gain a balanced, real-world perspective on how to evaluate options, manage complexity, and design equity programs that align with local regulations and workforce needs.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn the key benefits, structures, and compliance considerations for tax-advantaged equity plans in France, Israel, and the UK.
• Identify scenarios where tax-qualified plans may not be appropriate and explore alternative strategies to promote employee equity participation.
• Gain practical strategies for navigating tax and legal risks, working across cultures and time zones, and ensuring compliance in European and global equity programs.