NASPP 2024 in San Francisco, CA was a complete success! Over 1,000 Equity Compensation Professionals came together for the 4-day National Association of Stock Plan Professionals conference, filled with insights, networking opportunities and so much more. 

This was my first time attending this conference. It was incredible to finally meet in person those I've had the pleasure of working with remotely. The tremendous value in being able to shake hands with these professionals and spend time face-to-face was unmatched.

The event kicked off with an empowering keynote address by Carey Lohrenz, the first female U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot and a two-time WSJ best-selling author. Carey shared her experiences of performing under pressure and overcoming obstacles, encouraging attendees to think creatively when faced with challenges. This address was a fantastic way to start off the conference, allowing for motivation and determination to set the tone of how the next few days in San Francisco would go. 

Something for Everyone in Equity

Following an inspiring opening to the conference, there were sessions covering topics for beginners all the way up to senior-level leaders, discussing the hottest topics in the industry.

I was amazed at how broad and intense all of these different sessions were. There were people with little to no exposure in the industry sitting beside professionals who have over 30 years of experience, all committed to delivering, staying focused and overcoming challenges to ensure success. The energy was contagious. 

Private Market Sessions

• Stock Compensation Accounting Fundamentals: In the first session I attended, attendees learned the basics of private company equity accounting. This included an informative introduction to ASC 718, determining valuation using option pricing models, DTA reporting and preparing for IPO. The ability to network while simultaneously soaking up crucial information was what made this experience unforgettable. 
• Managing Your CAP Table and Equity Plan: Various topics were discussed for new stock plan administrators at private companies to consider. Along with what I considered to be helpful “gotchas” to watch out for, best practices for CAP table management and effective communication tips when dealing with participants were covered.
• A Primer on 409A Valuations: I found that this session acted as a playbook for having a bulletproof 409A valuation that can hold up to scrutiny and protect your company from backlash due to improper valuation.

Industry Level Expert Sessions

• The 5 Hottest Topics in Equity Compensation: The biggest names in Equity Compensation collaborated on this session to shed light on some of the big hitting issues in our industry today: Clawbacks, Proxy Litigation/NEO pay challenges, changes in the regulation landscape and more. This one-hour session towards the end of the conference covered a ton of information! In my opinion, this was the most valuable session. For only being one-hour, this session was dense. Complex issues were broken down into bite-sized pieces for all levels of expertise, something that I found to be both refreshing and inclusive.  
• SEC Reporting Deep Dive: This session was a heavy hitter that had a little bit of everything. From introductions to the Disclosure and Proxy requirements in the industry, to delving deep into how corporate actions can have profound impacts on these filings. I thought that leveraging real life examples from RTX and AMGEN served as a reminder for just how important these topics are.
• Peer to Peer Discussion – Streamlining Financial Reporting: This session allowed for an open forum peer discussion on what different companies in the world are doing to make their financial reporting requirements much easier to meet. Discussions were had about cross-department communication strategies, how to navigate advising the compensation committee at your company and, of course, dealing with obstacles in the financial reporting process.

What CompIntelligence Brought to the Table

This year, we had our very own Sheila Matias and Anisha Garg presenting! A special thanks to all of those who came to listen.

CompIntelligence Sessions

• How to Manage RFPs Like a Superstar: In this session, Sheila collaborated with AmyLynn Flood of Vialto Partners to deliver a first-class guide on how to refine your RFP process for the best results for your company. Sheila identified the importance of setting clear expectations for timing, objectives, evaluation methodology and technical resources for a project, and also to expect the unexpected that comes along with any project. From my perspective, Sheila's session provided an excellent roadmap for setting clear expectations and requirements while tackling complex issues.
• Private Companies – Everything You Need to Know About Equity Award Taxation (but are too afraid to ask): Anisha joined a panel of taxation experts to dive deep into equity award taxation in the U.S. and abroad. It was great to see how this session paid precise attention to different tax considerations that a company should make based on their stage in “the life cycle of private companies”, as well as the complexities of global taxation. This is especially important with regards to having a mobile workforce. 

Our Most Memorable Highlights

In addition to the incredible learning environment and knowledge-sharing peer-level interactions, we were just as excited by the great opportunities for networking and fun.

The CompIntelligence wheel was a huge draw for attendees, we had so many people stop by to spin - even coming back multiple times to either spin again or bring their friends! It was great to continue shaking hands with all of those who visited our booth. The exhibit hall tended to be the congregation zone amidst the learning sessions. We found great opportunities to network with colleagues and industry experts at their booths, over a coffee or a cocktail.

Wednesday evening of the conference was a huge success and a precursor to next year’s NASPP location being Las Vegas, Nevada! Attendees got to enjoy a swanky soiree with great food, cocktails and casino games (with chips ultimately being converted into raffle tickets at the end of the night!). 

I've always heard from everyone that your first NASPP experience goes by in a flash - I can testify that it's true. There was a ton of information in a short span of time, which we then got to sit back and digest together. All of which made my first experience at NASPP unforgettable. 

The CompIntelligence team had an incredible week of growth, networking and building camaraderie. We are looking forward to next year and hope to see you there!