Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the event being held?
The event is being held at the Carneros Inn in Sonoma, California (www.thecarnerosinn.com), named one of the Top 25 Romantic Getaways according to Travel & Leisure Magazine. This luxurious retreat will recharge everyone’s batteries and give us an opportunity to “get away” and provide a wonderful environment for networking and both formal and informal discussions.
Global Shares will arrange for a private cottage for you (and your guest). The closest airports are Oakland and San Francisco airport with a 1 to 1 ½ hour drive. If you plan to bring a spouse/guest and/or children, please let us know as there are a limited number of family rooms available. We will do our best to accommodate families, but an additional charge may apply.
What is the agenda and schedule?
The conference will begin with an opening reception on Friday, April 4th. This is an opportunity to meet the other Forum participants and enjoy the beauty of wine country. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to have dinner at one of the two restaurants on property – or visit the on-site delicatessen. On Saturday, the Forum participants will meet at the Carneros Inn for an all day meeting with high-level discussions on the future of share plans. During this time, guests may either relax at the hotel or join in scheduled activities. On Saturday night, we will be hosting a special dinner event that promises to be the highlight of the weekend. On Sunday, participants and their guests can either enjoy the Spa, pools and/or exercise activities at the Inn – or participate in organized activities (wine tasting, golf, etc.) followed by an outdoor BBQ that evening. Guests can depart on Sunday night or Monday morning.
What if I can’t attend? Can I send someone else from my organization?
All the invitees on our invitation list for this event have been carefully selected based on their management responsibilities and influence within the stock plan business. They are drawn from issuer companies, professional advisers and service providers. If you are unable to attend, please let us know and whom you would propose sending to the event. Due to the nature of the event, we will not be recording any presentations or providing access via conference call. If you cannot attend this year, we do plan to host the Forum in Ireland in 2009, prior to the GEO Conference.
What costs will my organization or I need to cover?
Other than travel to and from your location to Sonoma for the Forum, and the hotel room charge ($385 plus tax) you will not incur any other expenses other than incidentals and certain meals. Global Shares will provide dinner on both Saturday and Sunday and lunch on Saturday for the Forum participants. Breakfast each day is on your own. Should you wish to extend your stay, Global Shares can assist in securing accommodation for additional nights at your own expense.
Who else is attending?
A list of participants will be distributed towards the end of March. About 25% of the attendees represent the issuer community from around the world. The rest of the attendees are attorneys, accountants, consultants and representatives from large financial institutions, technology firms and related services. Additionally, Global Shares personnel and select Board Members attend the event. A photo from our last Forum can be found on the home page of this website.
Why is Global Shares sponsoring this event?
We, at Global Shares, and the Forum Sponsors (Buck Consulting, Integrated Compensation and Valuation Solutions, IFG Trustee, Sungard and Orrick) feel strongly that our profession is going through profound change at an increasingly rapid pace. Although current conferences are useful for networking and education, we feel the need to bring the leaders of the profession together for high-level discussions and networking. The Forum is limited to 40-45 participants at the very most. We hope you can arrange your schedule to attend and look forward to your contributions.
Are guests/spouses and children really welcome?
Yes. At last year’s Forum, approximately half of the participants brought a guest and/or their children. The Carneros Inn has both a children’s pool as well as an adult-only infinity pool. Some activities are designed specifically for children. Guests and children are welcome at both evening dinner events.
How do I get to the hotel?
If you are arriving by airplane, you can land at one of 4 airports (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose or Sacramento). The closest two airports are Oakland and San Francisco. It will take approximately 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours to drive from these airports. We recommend that you consider either renting a car or arranging with a car service. Taxis to Sonoma can be quite costly. For driving directions, we recommend that you refer to the Carneros Inn website (http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn/directions.aspx)
What do you mean by “a private cottage” and how many people can stay in the cottage?
The Carneros Inn is unusual in that each guest stays in a free-standing cottage. The Inn offers 86 individual cottages, including 10 suites, set amid landscaped courtyards allowing for optimal seclusion and exclusivity. Unwind in a cottage that combines country comfort with all the contemporary conveniences in a stylish, yet relaxing atmosphere.
The modern design is complemented by the finest classic Italian bedding to ensure the perfect night’s sleep. Wood-burning fireplaces with polished concrete hearths provide cozy warmth and large screen, flat-panel televisions and DVD players allow for leisurely movie-viewing after a day of wine tasting. And, if staying in touch with the world outside is important, the entire property provides high speed wireless access to keep you connected.
Upon entering your cottage you’ll notice the vast amount of natural light that washes over the Brazilian cherry wood floors from a series of large windows and French doors leading to a private patio and garden. Teak patio furniture and gas-fired heaters make these outdoor private spaces perfect for entertaining, even on cool fall nights. The spacious bathroom is a lavish retreat unto itself, featuring limestone countertops and heated slate floors. In most accommodations, a soaking tub is nestled under a garden-side casement window. Guests may also choose between showering inside or stepping outside for a romantic alfresco shower.
All of the cottages offer 450 square feet of indoor living space as well as private patios and landscaped courtyards. With over 1800 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, the luxurious suites offer a combination of two cottages joined by an extended deck and garden.
It is important to note that most cottages have one king size bed. If you are planning to bring more than 1 guest, please notify us immediately so we can arrange for a cottage with 2 double beds. There are limited “family cottages” available (really, two cottages that are connected by a shared open patio) available for an additional price. We can also make arrangements for cribs and playpens for younger guests.
What if I don’t want to participate in the pre-arranged activities on Sunday?
The Forum offers a variety of activities on Sunday for those who wish to play golf or visit some of the local wineries – or to shop in Napa. However, the Inn is a beautiful place to unwind and relax and participants may choose to take advantage of the environment. The Inn provides a yoga studio, a brand-new fitness center, adult and family pools and a beautiful spa. Global Shares will be offering a variety of spa treatments through the day on Sunday. If you wish to explore the Sonoma or nearby Napa Valley on your own, the Inn can provide you with maps and recommendations. Just be back for our BBQ on the hilltop on Sunday night!
