It has been a big year for employee incentives in Australia.

A new regulatory regime came into effect in October 2022, and this has brought about a tectonic shift in the regulatory plumbing that underpins the operation of employee incentive schemes.

The stated aim of the regulatory reforms was to demonstrate the commitment of Australia’s (former) Federal Government to “reducing red tape for business, supporting job creation and competitive remuneration, and incentivising employers and employees to work together to contribute to a strong and sustained post COVID-19 economic recovery.”

Following the passing of these reforms, all companies that operate plans in Australia, whether listed or unlisted, large or small, need to pause to consider how the new regulatory rules will impact on the operation of their ESS plans.

There have also been a few contentious rules that may encourage issuer companies to alter their plan design.

Attendees will learn:

• The anticipated effects of the new regime on plan design.
• Which key issues need to be front of mind when a company operates an employee incentive plan in Australia, including those that relate to directors' personal liability.
• A broad overview of the regulatory framework that underpins employee incentive schemes in Australia.

Corporate transactions can have knock-on effects for outstanding equity awards and plans.

This session explores best practice on the approach and communication of these changes to awards, including the administrative and timing challenges encountered when reflecting award adjustments on broker platforms.

The expert panel will discuss their experiences, including managing awards during the re-domiciliation from a UK to a US parent company, and the equity award challenges resulting from a $11.7 billion acquisition.

Attendees will learn:

• The common pitfalls when adjusting awards post-transaction including which transactional adjustments can trigger tax and regulatory issues for issues that have granted in multiple countries
• How to provide accurate, bespoke, meaningful and concise communication of the changes to participants
• How to prepare equity award databases to reflect adjusted awards, dealing with rounding and black-out periods

This illuminating session will shine a spotlight and explore the role of equity in the GEIS 2023 survey’s key emerging topics: Equity in Talent, Investor Relations, and Global Mobility.

The expert panel will dive deep into these special focus areas, gaining valuable insights and practical strategies to explore how equity can be a powerful tool in shaping successful organizations in an increasingly competitive and globalized world.

Attendees will learn:

• Talent and Markets: Explore talent war and market volatility's impact on equity compensation for attracting and retaining top talent
• Investor Relations: Discover the role of equity compensation in transparent communication and enhancing company performance
• Equity and Global Mobility: Navigate complexities in cross-border talent attraction through equity compensation

This session will focus on the challenges faced by listed companies when competing for and negotiating board talent in a global market. As businesses aim to attract and retain leaders who can drive success in a rapidly shifting external landscape, the session will provide insights into the specific challenges encountered in the global market.

Attendees will learn:

• Best practices from a CEO's perspective in attracting and retaining leaders
• Equity's role in negotiating during the hiring process, executive compensation, and senior leader retention
• Investors' expectations of executive compensation and talent

Learn from the IPO experiences of three issuers in this insightful panel discussion who each consider what they would do differently if they had their time again.

Join them as they delve into their valuable insights, tips, and the challenges they encountered throughout their IPO journeys. Through real-life examples, they will explore the lessons learned and mistakes made, providing valuable knowledge to enhance the smooth execution of future IPOs.

Attendees will learn:

• Real-Life IPO Insights: Gain valuable perspectives from prominent business leaders who have undergone the IPO process, sharing their experiences, challenges, and key takeaways.
• Getting Stock Plans IPO-Ready: Discover best practices and strategies for preparing your stock plans for an IPO, ensuring compliance, transparency, and effectiveness during the transition.
• Employee Communication Tips: Learn effective communication strategies to engage and inform employees during the IPO journey, fostering a sense of ownership and understanding.

In the face of ongoing stock market uncertainty and persistent high inflation, the perceived value of equity awards for equity plan participants has taken a hit, marking a significant departure from the long-standing upward trend.

This expert panel highlights how employers can play a crucial role in helping plan participants fully comprehend and appreciate the value of their equity compensation and unlock the potential of their equity awards.

Don't miss this enlightening session, where we provide actionable insights that will not only position employers as leaders during these uncertain times but also enable them to attract and retain top-tier talent.

Attendees will learn:

• The importance of employee education in understanding equity compensation.
• Effective communication strategies to convey the value of equity awards.
• How providing access to personalized financial advice is crucial for optimizing equity compensation.