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GEO INSIGHTS

ACCESS THE LATEST GLOBAL EQUITY COMPENSATION INSIGHTS

Read industry news, explore technical updates, access ideas on global employee compensation innovation, and find ways to connect.

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FILTER INSIGHTS

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
12 August 2026, 3 - 6pm PDT
Pacific Northwest Chapter Meeting - SEATTLE
pacwest chapter meeting

Seattle, WA

USA

Join us for a relaxed summer gathering designed to bring our Pacific Northwest community together! Whether you’re a long-time member or new to the group, this is a great opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, connect with colleagues, and strengthen relationships across our network in a casual setting.

What to expect:

  • A welcoming environment to connect and unwind with peers
  • Fun, interactive activities at the start to help spark conversations and build connections
  • A happy hour with drinks available until 5PM
  • Light finger foods to enjoy throughout the event

We hope you can join us for an afternoon of networking, conversation, and summer fun!

LOCATION:
Madison Center, First Floor Conference Room
920 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98104

GENEROUSLY HOSTED BY:

 

COST:
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Registration is free. 

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

 

LIVE WEBCAST
1 September 2026, 10 - 11am PDT
AI-Powered Equity Management: From Compliance to Strategic Value - ZOOM
ai webcast

Donna Bell, insightsoftware 
Matt Lee, insightsoftware

Data and business intelligence
Operational effectiveness
All plan types
Global

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping equity compensation management, shifting it from a compliance-driven administrative function to a strategic enabler of business value. This session will explore how AI technologies are streamlining processes, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and helping organizations align equity programs more closely with broader business objectives.

Through practical examples and real-world use cases, attendees will gain insights into how AI can reduce administrative complexity, improve operational efficiency, and uncover strategic opportunities within equity compensation programs.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Identify practical applications of AI that reduce administrative burdens and improve operational efficiency in equity compensation management.
  • Explain how AI-driven data and analytics can support more informed decision-making and align equity programs with company strategy.
  • Evaluate real-world examples of AI adoption to determine opportunities for creating greater strategic and business value through equity compensation programs.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*

 Field of study: Information Technology
 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.


COST

  • Members: Free access — Live and on-demand
  • Non-members: $85 per webcast — Live and on-demand

Unlock unlimited access! Join GEO from just $375/year and watch every webcast free—live or on-demand plus more member perks!

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
3 September 2026, 1 - 4pm CEST
Nordic Chapter Meeting - HELLERUP
nordic chapter meeting

Hellerup, Denmark

Denmark

Join us in Hellerup for an afternoon of practical insights, real-world case studies and networking with equity professionals from across the Nordic region.

SPEAKERS:  Hans Christian Hoy, Grundfos | Viraj Arvind Patel, Leo Pharma | Fríði Jensen, Bakkafrost | Pernille Lundbæk Stahr, Ascendis |
Anders Jensen, Ascendis | Birgitte Arvidsen, Ascendis | Carla Walsham, Tapestry | Olivia Rodrigo, Tapestry | Søren Hessellund Klausen, iuno Law Firm | Cecillie Groth Henriksen, iuno Law Firm

 

SESSION ONE: Three Paths to Higher ESPP Enrollment: Discount, Localization, and On-Site Trust-Building

Discover how organisations have successfully increased ESPP participation by tackling affordability, improving employee understanding and building trust. Through three real-world case studies, you'll learn how plan design, localisation and in-person engagement can help drive higher enrolment.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Choosing the right mix of plan design and communications to maximise participation.
  • Building trust through local-language communications and regional ambassadors.
  • Using face-to-face education to engage hard-to-reach employee groups.

 

SESSION TWO: Going Global: The Ascendis Journey

Join Ascendis Pharma and Tapestry as they share practical lessons from expanding a global share plan, including the legal, tax and operational challenges they faced—and how they overcame them.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Overcoming the key legal, tax and operational challenges of global expansion.
  • Lessons learned from Ascendis Pharma's international rollout.
  • Using advisor expertise to simplify cross-border compliance.

 

SESSION THREE: EU Pay Transparency: Challenges Around the Inclusion of Share Plans

The new EU Pay Transparency Directive will have a significant impact on share plans as a form of variable pay. This session explores the implications for Nordic employers and the practical steps organisations should take to prepare.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • How the Directive applies to equity and share plans.
  • Nordic perspectives on the evolving regulatory landscape.
  • Practical actions to prepare for compliance.

 

Networking Reception

After the sessions, continue the conversation over networking drinks at JOLIE Eatery, just across the street from the venue. Networking is generously sponsored by:

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LOCATION:
Ascendis Pharma
Tuborg Boulevard 12,
2900 Hellerup, Denmark

COST:
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Registration is free.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
19 April 2027, 8:30am - 21 April 2027, 3pm CEST
28th Annual Conference - COPENHAGEN
Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark

From 19–21 April 2027, more than 400 global share plan and executive compensation professionals will gather at the Tivoli Hotel in Copenhagen for GEO’s flagship Annual Conference. 

Carefully curated to create the right balance of scale and access, GEO Copenhagen attracts a high-calibre audience of senior decision-makers, company directors, stock plan leaders, HR, reward, legal, tax, and benefits professionals from around the world — maximizing opportunities for meaningful networking, strategic conversations, and lasting business connections.

Recognised as the premier global event for the equity compensation industry, GEO Annual brings together leading academics, thought leaders, policy makers, and industry experts to share best practice, explore emerging trends, and help shape the future of employee share ownership worldwide.

Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise, expand your global network, or discover new ideas and opportunities, GEO Copenhagen 2027 will deliver insights, inspiration, and connections that matter.

 

ARTICLE
26 February 2026
MANUFACTURING & EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP
External News

Lafayette Square Institute 

Data and business intelligence
USA

How ESOPs Address the Threat of Business Succession in American Manufacturing

ARTICLE
1 July 2026
Running An Offshore Employee Benefit Trust Share Warehouse: A Practical Look From The Inside
External News

Ogier

General
UK and Channel Islands

Practical guidance on managing offshore employee benefit trust share warehouses, covering governance, funding, pricing, documentation, and administration.

NEWS
2 August 2023
THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO BE CEO ARE IN DECLINE
article

Geoff Colvin

Executive pay
Trending now
Executive plans
Performance shares
Global

The article explores the decreasing financial incentive to become a CEO, as other C-suite roles are earning increasingly higher salaries. While the CEO position has historically been seen as the pinnacle of corporate success, this perception is changing due to various factors. The job is becoming more challenging as employees gain more power and the role becomes more politicized. Additionally, the compensation of other C-suite executives like the CFO, CHRO, and general counsel has been rising at a faster rate than that of CEOs. The narrowing pay gap within the C-suite is seen as a positive development for corporate governance and healthy discourse. Factors contributing to rising pay for other C-suite roles include job-hopping becoming more accepted, employers offering stock grants to retain valued executives, and increased responsibilities for roles like the CFO. Furthermore, positions below the CEO often avoid public scrutiny, which can be appealing to candidates who want to avoid controversy and threats associated with being a public-facing CEO. As a result, the allure of becoming a CEO may be diminishing in comparison to other C-suite roles.

READ THIS ARTICLE

ARTICLE
2 February 2026
INTESA SANPAOLO: LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
External News

INTESA SANPAOLO

Italy

Intesa Sanpaolo’s Board of Directors will propose at the 30 April 2026 Shareholders’ Meeting capital increases to support two new long-term incentive plans (2026-2029 LTI Plans) for employees, including a Performance Share Plan for Risk Takers and Middle Managers and a Leveraged Employee Co-Investment Plan (LECOIP) for other employees in Italy. The plans involve issuing new ordinary shares—some free of charge and some at a discounted price—linked to achieving business plan objectives, while also updating the share allocation for the existing 2022-2025 Performance Share Plan. Overall, the proposed share issuances represent up to 1.39% of the company’s share capital, subject to regulatory approvals, with full documentation to be publicly disclosed.

ARTICLE
24 June 2026
WHAT GEO AWARDS JUDGES REALLY LOOK FOR: 10 TIPS FOR A STRONGER SUBMISSION
Awards
GEO award excellence
All plan types
Global

Successful GEO Award submissions clearly tell the story behind the achievement by defining the challenge, explaining the solution, and demonstrating measurable business impact. Judges value authentic, issuer-led innovation supported by data, clear outcomes, and lessons that can benefit the broader equity compensation community. Companies of any size can submit a winning entry by focusing on meaningful results, creativity, and compelling storytelling.

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