NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER

SOUTHWEST

NETWORKING EVENTS

CHAPTER TEAM:

Ramon Dominguez, Lucid Motors

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

Danyle Anderson, FGE, Bank of America

CONTACT THE CHAPTER TEAM

WELCOME TO THE SOUTHWEST CHAPTER

This local chapter community is dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources to help members develop their skills, expand their networks, and make a positive impact in their communities. You will have access to a wide range of valuable resources and opportunities including educational sessions and networking events.

SUBSCRIBE TO CHAPTER NEWSLETTER - COMING SOON!

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

8 May 2025, 11:30am - 1:30pm PDT

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTER MEETING

Seattle, WA or Virtual

Legal and regulatory

All plan types

USA

Navigating the Future of U.S. Business Immigration: Challenges and Changes

Join us for an insightful discussion on the current state of U.S. business immigration, focusing on H-1B and other work permits, the impact of federal government cuts, the status of travel bans, and predictions for what lies ahead in immigration policy and how it impacts world of global equity.

LOCATIONS

In-Person
KPMG Seattle
401 Union St
28th Floor
Seattle, WA 98101

Virtual - Join us from wherever you are - virtual details will be emailed after registration

Generously hosted KPMG

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

28 April 2025, 8am - 30 April 2025, 3pm CEST

GEO'S 26TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PRAGUE

All plan types

Global

SAVE THE DATE FOR GEO'S 26TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PRAGUE - 28-30 APRIL 2025

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!

SAVE THE DATE

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

17 April 2025, 12 - 2pm MDT

GREATER ROCKIES, UTAH CHAPTER MEETING

Lehi, Utah

Operational effectiveness

All plan types

USA

THE OPERATIONAL DEBATE: STREAMLINING EQUITY PLANS

In the world of equity compensation, operational hurdles are where the real debates begin. How do you strike the right balance between automation and hands-on management? Should compliance be centralized or tailored to local requirements? This session dives deep into the key operational challenges of equity plan execution, from data management and participant communications to administrative efficiency and compliance oversight. Experts will debate the pros and cons of different operational strategies, offering insights to help you optimize processes, reduce complexity, and ensure your equity plan runs like a well-oiled machine. Prepare to engage in this discussion on the most effective ways to handle operational roadblocks.

This session will include a lunch.

LOCATION
Adobe
3900 Adobe Way
Lehi, UT

Thank you to our sponsor

There is no charge to attend this meeting. Both members and non-members are welcome to join.

ARTICLE

17 April 2025

BETTER THAN 401(K)?: THERE’S A MOVE TO GET WORKERS REAL LONG-TERM OWNERSHIP IN AMERICA’S COMPANIES

CNBC

General

All plan types

USA

Employee engagement is at a decade low, with workers feeling increasingly disconnected and uncertain about their companies' futures, prompting experts like KKR's Pete Stavros to champion employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) as a solution. Stavros argues that ESOPs, when well-implemented, significantly improve culture, engagement, and retention by giving employees a financial stake in their companies, with notable successes like CHI Overhead Doors showcasing life-changing payouts for non-executive workers. However, broader adoption faces barriers such as regulatory complexity and limited accessibility, leading advocates to push for policy reforms while emphasizing that trust, transparency, and genuine cultural shifts are essential for ESOPs to succeed.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

14 April 2025

NAVIGATING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IN A VOLATILE ECONOMY: 2025 TRENDS FOR MIDDLE-MARKET COMPANIES

Nelson Mullins

Executive pay

Executive plans

USA

Amid economic uncertainty in 2025, middle-market companies are reevaluating executive compensation strategies to prioritize cash preservation, long-term value creation, and adaptability, shifting away from all-cash bonuses toward deferred compensation and equity-based incentives. Key trends include revising performance metrics, implementing multi-year retention plans, enhancing downside protection, and aligning incentive plans with resilience-focused goals such as margin protection and supply chain agility. Legal considerations emphasize compliance with tax codes, clear documentation, governance improvements, and transparent communication to manage retention risk and support business continuity.

READ ARTICLE

LIVE WEBCAST

10 April 2025, 1 - 2pm EDT

GLOBAL EQUITY UPDATES Q1 2025

SPEAKERS: Barbara Klementz, Baker McKenzie | Kela Shang, Baker McKenzie

Trending now

All plan types

Global

GEO is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest developments in equity compensation worldwide. Stay up-to-date with the fast-paced changes in the industry. In this session, we'll delve into new regulations, reporting obligations, and recent guidance issued in the industry during the past quarter.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

Gain insights into the latest regulatory changes impacting equity compensation globally
Understand new reporting obligations and compliance requirements affecting your company's equity plans
Learn valuable industry guidance to navigate emerging challenges and opportunities in equity compensation

WE ARE OFFERING THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN THIS LIVE GLOBAL WEBCAST:

COST
GEO members: No charge
GEO non-members*: $85

Become a GEO member to attend webcasts for free in the future!

*Fees are non-refundable. Recordings are available to access on-demand following the webcast.

CPE Credit Hours: 1.0*
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit: 1.0 credits

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Registration is required. Connection and login instructions are sent to registered participants prior to this webcast.

WATCH THE WEBCAST

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

3 April 2025, 2 - 5:30pm EDT

BOSTON CHAPTER MEETING

Boston, MA

Design and strategy

Legal and regulatory

All plan types

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)

USA

Unlock the Power of Employee Equity

Employee stock plans are a key component of a competitive compensation strategy, but designing, managing, and keeping them compliant—especially on a global scale—can be complex. Join us for two insightful sessions led by industry experts as we explore best practices for Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) and navigate the latest global tax updates affecting equity compensation.

You’ll gain actionable strategies to optimize your stock plans and ensure compliance in an evolving regulatory landscape.

Session 1: Development and Review of Your Employee Stock

Discover how Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) can be the ideal complement to a robust Compensation and Benefits portfolio. In this session, we will share insights into how Fidelity supports plan sponsors—from the initial design phase through effective communication, seamless ongoing administration, and accurate financial accounting.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Designing Effective ESPPs: Learn the fundamentals of creating a plan that aligns with both company objectives and employee expectations.
Strategic Communication: Understand best practices for engaging employees and ensuring they grasp the benefits of the plan.
Administration & Accounting Excellence: Gain insights into efficient ongoing administration and the financial accounting practices essential for maintaining a successful ESPP.

SESSION 2: GLOBAL UPDATES

Keeping up with the ever-changing taxation landscape for global stock plans can be challenging. This session focuses on the latest trends and emerging tax updates that could impact your global share plans, ensuring you stay ahead of compliance challenges.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Navigating Current Global Tax Regulations: Get an overview of the current international tax environment affecting stock plans.
Forecasting Tax Trends: Learn to anticipate upcoming changes and understand their potential impact on global share plans.
Ensuring Compliance: Explore practical strategies to keep your global stock plans compliant in a dynamic regulatory landscape.

Join us for after the sessions for some networking in the Deloitte offices from 4:00 to 5:30pm.

These sessions will be eligible for CEP credit.

In-Person
Deloitte Office
115 Federal Street
Boston, MA

There is no cost to attend this chapter meeting, and GEO members and non-members are welcome, but registration is required.

LIVE WEBCAST

1 April 2025, 1 - 2pm EDT

DOING MORE WITH LESS: CUTTING THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS IN HALF

SPEAKERS: Amit Gupta, Salus Financial | Robyn Shutak, FGE, Infinite Equity

Communications

All plan types

Global

Join us as we explore strategies and evidence-based approaches to cut the number of questions your team has to answer in half. Answering equity compensation questions from employees requires reading up on an individual's situation, understanding regional nuances, and taking on personal reputation risk when answering. But, that’s just one of the many drains on your time we will dive into.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

Understand the moments in time that create the most confusion for employees
Learn actionable strategies to free up your team's time while also leveling up your participants' expertise
Set yourself up to access further time-saving opportunities in your day-to-day work even with a limited budget

WE ARE OFFERING THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN THIS LIVE GLOBAL WEBCAST:

COST
GEO members: No charge
GEO non-members*: $85

Become a GEO member to attend webcasts for free in the future!

*Fees are non-refundable. Recordings are available to access on-demand following the webcast.

CPE Credit Hours: 1.0*
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit: 1.0 credits

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Registration is required. Connection and login instructions are sent to registered participants prior to this webcast.

WATCH THE WEBCAST

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

26 March 2025, 4:30 - 6:30pm MDT

COLORADO CHAPTER MEETING

Centennial, CO

Trending now

All plan types

USA

LAUNCH PARTY AT THE VIEWHOUSE

We are excited to announce our brand new Colorado Chapter!

Come and celebrate this new launch with us at the ViewHouse in Denver. Unwind with industry peers and make new connections. Discuss latest trends and challenges in equity planning – or just unwind with a drink.

We look forward to seeing you there!

LOCATION
Ballpark ViewHouse
7101 S Clinton St
Centennial, CO 80112

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

GEO members in your area can come together to engage in meaningful discussions, share ideas, ask questions, and connect with fellow members who share similar interests via GEOconnect. Whether you're a long-time member or a newcomer, we encourage you to participate and contribute to the vibrant discussions happening here.

VIEW CHAPTER Discussion BOARD

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Access details of past local events and their materials. Whether you missed an event or want to revisit the content, our community discussion board provides a platform to access event information, including presentations, videos, and discussions.

COMING SOON

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

Explore the GEO Insights area, where you can filter by region to access the latest events, articles, survey findings, and reports. Stay updated with the latest information and insights specific to your region, and gain valuable knowledge from our curated content.

View regional news & resources

AVAILABLE TO GEOS MEMBER ONLY

NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER

CHAPTER TEAM:

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

WELCOME TO THE SOUTHWEST CHAPTER

REGIONAL RESOURCES

THE OPERATIONAL DEBATE: STREAMLINING EQUITY PLANS

Session 1: Development and Review of Your Employee Stock

SESSION 2: GLOBAL UPDATES

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

The future of global share ownership