The Chicago chapter of NIRI, The Association for Investor Relations (NIRI Chicago), has announced the topics and speakers for its upcoming Midwest IR Symposium, formerly known as the IR Workshop, to be held on Friday, Sept. 26.

“This event will bring together IR officers from around the Midwest for a day of information and professional networking,” said Barb Noverini, IR Symposium co-chair and NIRI Chicago chair. “Our speakers and experienced investor relations panelists will share their knowledge on how to hone the art and science of IR.”

“This year’s reimagined Symposium highlights the ways investor relations professionals can elevate their value within and outside their companies by illustrating how and why IR is critical to their organizations' success,” said Jeff Myers, IR Symposium co-chair and NIRI Chicago co-vice president of membership.

Highlights of the 2025 IR Symposium will include:

• Keynote: Navigating the Stock Market: Insights from the Trading Floor: Based on a distinguished trading career, including more than 25 years as a designated market maker at the New York Stock Exchange, Jay Woods will share lessons learned and how to find clarity amid the complex and evolving dynamics of the stock market.
• Featured Luncheon Speaker/Fireside Chat: Your Seat in the Modern Board Room: What Can IR Bring to the Table? As a former corporate secretary and expert on corporate governance, Douglas Chia of Soundboard Governance LLC will discuss the mission-critical elements necessary for IR officers (IROs) to be strong strategic advisors to the modern board of directors.
• Trusted, Strategic, Essential: The Modern IRO’s Brand: This panel will feature two seasoned IR officers who have successfully built their credibility and positioned themselves as indispensable strategic partners to the C-suite and board.
• Activists at the Doorstep: IRO Leadership in Preparation and Defense: Join an experienced adviser for an interactive session that simulates an escalating series of scenarios, showing how activist shareholders identify a company to target, engage privately and rally publicly -- and how IROs can lead through these high-stakes moments.
• Steady Hands in a Storm: Crisis Management and Messaging in Uncertain Times: In this candid conversation, a seasoned IRO will walk through real-world experiences navigating corporate crises, market disruptions and periods of heightened uncertainty.
• Going Public: An IRO Journey: This session will offer a candid look at the IR officer’s evolving role before, during and after a company goes public, from building the equity story and navigating regulatory requirements to managing investor expectations and sustaining momentum post-IPO.

NIRI Chicago’s annual full-day IR Symposium is open to NIRI members and nonmembers and has attracted attendees from throughout the Midwest. The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, at 150 N. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with registration, breakfast and an exhibitor showcase of the latest IR services. The cost is $175 for NIRI members and $250 for nonmembers who register before Sept. 8 ($225 and $300 thereafter, respectively).

In addition, a golf outing will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook. Additional information and registration for both events is available on the NIRI Chicago website.

2025 IR Symposium Sponsors and Exhibitors

NIRI Chicago thanks the following sponsors and exhibitors of the IR Symposium: Anonymous Design, Irwin, Notified, NYSE and Q4 Inc. Additional chapter sponsors are: Alliance Advisors, AlphaSense, Broadridge, Corbin, ModernIR, Rivel, Riveron and S&P Global.

The Chicago chapter of NIRI, The Association for Investor Relations (NIRI Chicago), provides professional development and networking opportunities to practitioners of investor relations, a strategic management responsibility that integrates finance, communication, marketing and securities law compliance. Through its collaborative community, NIRI advances engagement in the capital markets and drives best practices in corporate disclosures, governance and informed investing. For more information, visit www.nirichicago.org.

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“This event will bring together IR officers from around the Midwest for a day of information and professional networking,” said Barb Noverini, IR Symposium co-chair and NIRI Chicago chair.