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NCEO/Beyster Institute
Employee Ownership Conference
Minneapolis, MN :: April 20-22, 2010
About the Conference
The Annual Employee Ownership Conference brings together the people and ideas that keep employee ownership working. Through practical learning, presentations by experts, and peer discussion, this three-day event keeps you at the forefront of the employee ownership world. The conference features many highly interactive sessions designed so you can get answers to your particular questions and find ideas that work for your particular company.Who Should Attend? This conference is designed for anyone interested or involved in equity sharing as an effective business strategy, including company presidents, owners, CEOs, executives, directors, managers, investors, employee owners, and professional service providers. Whether you are a veteran or newcomer to the world of employee ownership, this conference offers valuable insights and information at a variety of levels, covering both technical and non-technical topics.
What to Expect: In addition to general sessions featuring thought-provoking leaders in the field, attendees may select from over 60 breakout sessions exploring a variety of critical issues. Other special offerings include expert-led, in-depth discussions over lunch and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with employee ownership experts. The conference design makes it easy to meet and share experiences with people from all over the employee ownership world. Below is a sampling of comments from attendees of previous conferences:
"The conference again exceeded all my expectations. No others come close for giving a truly great education and networking experience."
"This conference is an absolute standout for form, content, consistency, and overall take-it-home-and-use-it stuff."
"A great conference. The information, organization, and scheduling was the best I've ever experienced in 45 years of attending conferences."
Learning Tracks
Solutions-focused breakout sessions allow you to delve deep into current issues and discuss emerging trends in employee ownership. From practical case studies and management tips to technical, financial and legal topics, you create the curriculum that's right for you.ESOP Basics: These introductory sessions cover the basics of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Attendees gain basic knowledge of topics such as ESOP feasibility, stock valuation, legal issues, taxation, financing strategies, plan design, and more.
ESOPs: Beyond the Basics: For those who already know the basics of ESOPs, these sessions address finer points and emerging issues. Attendees learn about administrative challenges, repurchase obligation, corporate governance, accounting, legislative and regulatory updates, S corporation issues, innovative transaction structures, and more.
Equity Compensation: Learn about the many ways to put equity into employee hands such as stock options, stock purchase plans, restricted stock, phantom stock, and more. These sessions cover everything from the basics of equity sharing methods to specific issues regarding their design, structure, and operation. A separate pre-conference overview (limited enrollment) offers a crash course.
Communications & Culture: Research shows that employee stock ownership boosts company performance only if employee owners are empowered with information, education, and increased involvement in continually improving operations. In these sessions, learn how dynamic companies involve and engage their employees.
Management (New Ideas and Insights): These sessions are designed to give leaders practical skills and insight into the unique challenges and opportunities in an employee ownership environment. Sessions particularly address new initiatives being explored by exemplary employee-owned companies.
Special Offerings
Complimentary One-on-One Consultations: Take advantage of personalized consulting sessions offered during the conference. Knowledgeable experts in employee ownership, including NCEO and Beyster Institute consultants, can answer specific questions regarding your employee ownership program, whether it's just starting out or well-established. Sign up early during the conference—appointments fill up quickly.Cocktail Receptions and Roundtable Discussions: Informal networking opportunities abound during the conference, but several not-to-miss events are the cocktail receptions on day one and day two, an expert-led roundtable luncheon on day two, as well as two days of breakfast discussion roundtables.
Access to Employee Ownership Resources: The NCEO and the Beyster Institute offer numerous publications to expand your employee ownership knowledge or help you prepare for the conference. These books and materials are available for purchase online at www.nceo.org and www.rady.ucsd.edu/beyster and during the conference in the exhibit area.
Exhibitors and Cyber Center: In the exhibit area, you can speak directly with leading vendors and professional service providers who understand the employee ownership field. Sponsors at the 2010 Employee Ownership Conference are their companies' top representatives and have the appropriate background to answer your questions and offer solutions for your organization's challenges. While you are in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by the Cyber Center (sponsored by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch) to take care of business, check your email, and fill out conference evaluations.
The Innovations in Employee Ownership Award
The Innovations Award honors companies that develop new ways to realize the potential of employee ownership. At this conference and in our publications we share these companies' creative ideas and celebrate their successes. If you think that other companies might benefit from your innovations or if you want to recommend another company, please take a few minutes to let us know. For purposes of this award, innovations can deal with employee participation, entrepreneurship, communication programs, education, plan design, or other ideas that strengthen employee ownership. "Employee ownership" can refer to an ESOP or any other plan that provides equity or equity-linked assets to a substantial portion of the work force. Multiple winners will be announced at the conference, where they will briefly share their stories. Among other prizes, winners receive free admission to the conference.Contact Loren Rodgers at the NCEO (LRodgers@nceo.org; 510-208-1307) for more information. The application and a recommendation form are on this site. Applications are due February 26, 2010. The Innovations Award is sponsored by TEOCO of Fairfax, Virginia.
