In today's corporate landscape, shareholder opposition to compensation proposals is on the rise. This has elevated the importance of shareholder engagement in executive compensation decision-making. In 2022, median support for say-on-pay proposals hit an all-time low, with a record number of companies receiving less than 70 percent investor backing. Equity pay, a significant part of executive compensation, often plays a pivotal role in shaping shareholder sentiment. Consequently, compensation committees are increasingly evaluating strategies to address or preempt shareholder discontent.

Our expert panel will dive into these critical dynamics and examine a compelling case study illustrating how a company addressed low shareholder support attributed to its equity compensation practices, offering practical insights into real-world challenges and solutions.

Key learning points:

• Compensation committee responses: Explore how compensation committees respond to low shareholder support on say-on-pay proposals, including the common drivers behind diminished support and the resultant impact on voting outcomes in subsequent years.
• Effective shareholder engagement: Learn from companies that have faced historically low support levels and discover the strategies and practices that have enabled them to rebound through more effective shareholder engagement.
• Impact of responsiveness: Understand the significance of responsiveness in compensation decisions, spanning from low to high levels, and how these levels can directly influence shareholder support and overall company performance.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

Delve into the dynamic world of global executive compensation trends, with a spotlight on the role played by equity compensation. Explore how these trends align with your organization's objectives and challenges, including talent attraction and retention, program management, and plan design.

Key learning points:

• Strategies for attracting and retaining top global executive talent through equity compensation.
• Effective program management and implementation considerations.
• Leveraging equity compensation in plan design to align with global executive compensation trends.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

As we approach the close of 2023, join our panel discussion for insights into the first year of Pay Versus Performance disclosure regulations and the imminent Mandatory Clawback policies. These policies, though distinct, share a common goal: enhancing the equitable distribution of equity compensation. 

Join our expert panel for a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of equity compensation policies and their impact on corporate compliance.

Key learning points:

- Reflecting on Pay Versus Performance: Gain insights into the challenges and progress made in implementing the SEC's Pay Versus Performance Disclosures. Real-life examples will illustrate successes and challenges in compliance, offering valuable lessons.

- Preparing for mandatory clawback: Discover how listed companies are gearing up for the forthcoming mandatory clawback policy, set to take effect on December 1, 2023. Learn about the financial reporting implications and the reporting requirements for compensation recovery procedures in annual reports.

- Applying lessons learned: Explore the practical lessons from the Pay Versus Performance experience and how they can inform the design and execution of the Mandatory clawback policy. Gain a comprehensive understanding of best practices to ensure compliance with these regulations and future developments.

This insightful session offers a step-by-step guide to securing shareholder approval for new or amended equity plans. Gain essential insights on the recommended timeline, project plan, and key stakeholder roles. 

Key learning points:

- Navigating key developments: Stay informed about the latest developments affecting equity plans and the shareholder approval process, including proxy advisor and institutional shareholder voting policies.

- Best practices and compliance: Discover best practices and essential updates for equity plans in light of recent legal, tax, and governance changes, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements.

- Effective communication and execution: Learn strategies for effectively communicating material plan changes to executives and gaining board buy-in. Explore proxy disclosure considerations, including addressing potential stockholder risks. Additionally, delve into unique considerations related to ESPP approval and post-shareholder approval action items that demand attention.

Unlock the potential of your executive compensation strategy with innovative concepts. In this session, our expert panel delves into four crucial areas that can significantly enhance your plan design, benefiting both executives and plan sponsors. These innovative concepts are designed to take your executive compensation strategy to the next level, addressing a variety of critical topics and featuring a case study from Levi Strauss. Learn the power of combining tried-and-true practices with innovative thinking to help you make the most of your executive compensation program.

Key learning points:

• Automatic exercise benefits: Discover the advantages of incorporating automatic exercise at expiration into your executive compensation plans. This innovative approach streamlines processes, enhances plan performance, and aligns executive incentives more effectively with organizational objectives.
• Identifying long-term incentive blind spots: Gain insights into potential blind spots that may affect the effectiveness of your long-term incentive programs. By addressing these challenges, you can create a more equitable and impactful compensation structure for your executives.
• Empowering executives with equity choice: Learn how to empower your executives with greater flexibility and control over their equity compensation choices. This approach leads to higher executive satisfaction, improved retention rates, and better alignment with your corporate goals.
• Tax-efficient charitable giving: Explore tax-efficient strategies that enable executives to maximize their charitable contributions while optimizing their financial planning. This knowledge equips executives to support causes they care about while making informed financial decisions.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

The seasoned Goldman Sachs Ayco advisory team will delve into the world of executive compensation, emphasizing how it plays a pivotal role in holistic financial planning.

Discover how a single decision can ripple across multiple aspects of an executive’s financial life, from cash flow to taxes, investments, and risk management.

Gain valuable insights on optimizing executive-level compensation packages for a more secure financial future.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understanding the holistic impact: Explore how compensation decisions reach far beyond the surface, affecting not only immediate financial well-being but also long-term financial security.
• Navigating tax and investment implications: Learn strategies to maximize the benefits of compensation packages while minimizing tax liabilities and making sound investment choices.
• Balancing risk and reward: Uncover the delicate balance between risk and reward in executive compensation decisions and how it shapes the executive’s overall financial plan.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

In today's competitive business landscape, attracting and retaining top executive talent is critical for organizational success. This session promises to equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies needed to design and manage non-qualified compensation programs and equity plans for executive-level employees effectively.  

This session brings together senior-expert GEO Fellows to delve into the intricacies of designing non-qualified compensation programs, including deferred plans, for executive-level employees and how these intersect with equity plans.

By leveraging the expertise of senior GEO Fellows, participants will leave with actionable insights to enhance their top-tier talent compensation programs and drive organizational success.

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Plan design optimization: Understand how to strike the right balance between non-qualified compensation and equity plans for executive-level employees, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and compliance.
• Long-term motivation: Explore strategies to use deferred compensation and equity incentives to motivate and retain top talent over the long term, linking performance metrics to sustained value creation.
• Global program management: Learn to navigate the challenges and opportunities of implementing these programs globally while complying with local tax regulations and maintaining a consistent global strategy.