Our 11th annual Gateway Conference is coming up this September 3-4 in San Francisco, California. As the event draws nearer, we sat down with Gateway’s President and Founder, Scott Liolios, for a Q&A session to help first time attendees prepare to get the most out the conference.
Q: What should small cap companies attending the Gateway Conference for the first time expect?
They can expect an extremely high-quality, well-run event that includes the ideal investor targets for small and mid-cap companies. In addition to presenting in front of a full room of investors that could be hearing the company story for the first time, they should also expect a full day of one-on-one meetings so investors can take a deeper dive.
Q: How can first timers prepare to get the most out of this conference?
First time attendees should send their presentation to us well in advance of the event so we can keep them on file and make sure they’re polished and properly formatted. The management teams should also prepare to make themselves available for the many incoming meeting requests they’ll be receiving, as well as the post-event follow-up calls. Our IR teams will be sure to help coordinate these schedules for management teams and fill calendars with the most suitable and relevant investors.
Q: Would you recommend attendees live casting their presentation?
Definitely. While the conference is always well attended, some investors may have schedule conflicts. Recording and live casting your presentation is a great way to get visibility with those who can’t make your time slot. Every year we get thousands of views on company presentations from people who cannot make the event in person.
Q: What strategies can companies use to ensure their one-on-one meeting schedule is filled with high-quality, aligned investors?
Register and confirm as early as possible so our teams can get to work filling your schedule. It’s also incredibly helpful to take advantage of our media package that includes a complimentary press release announcing your company’s attendance and presentation time. We also advise that companies send out the release to their current investor database. Our experienced team knows the best strategies to get your news in front of the right audiences, the more advanced notice you give us the better we’re able to do our job.
Q: Beyond one-on-ones, how else can companies build long-term value from attending the Gateway Conference?
We like to say it takes approximately three touch points to get an investor comfortable. Meeting an investor at the Gateway conference will serve as one of the touchpoints. Another important touchpoint is the follow-up calls which help shorten the cycle by striking while the iron is hot.
To get even more out of the conference, companies will get a chance to meet our Gateway PR team and learn about our services in strategic media outreach, digital marketing, and social media management – all of which help amplify your company’s story even more with target audiences.
Q: From an IR perspective, how should companies measure the effectiveness of attending a conference like this?
To be successful in investor relations, management will need to focus on two things:
1. Teach investors how to value your company.
2. Get in front of the right investors.
If you can do these things well, you’ll experience success. At the Gateway conference, companies will receive the opportunity and tools to do both.
To learn more and request an invitation to our Gateway Conference, click here or email us at conference@gateway-grp.com!