NLB Investor Day: New Capital Horizons

Main category

CROSSOVER

Sub-category

1. Conference, Congress, Convention

Watch the event video

Event Description and Key Objectives

It can be done, and it can be done admirably! Namely: organizing a multiday, multidimensional, and multisensory conference with compelling programme for three target publics from all over the world. This was NLB Investor Day: New Capital Horizons. The key objective of the event, held in May 2024 in Ljubljana, and which gathered 200 people, while almost 400 people followed it online, was to present NLB Group’s business strategy to global investors and strengthen the reputation and trust in NLB, resulting in an increased visibility and share price growth, topped with favourable media reporting. We also wished to strengthen the ties with representatives of key companies from South-Eastern Europe where banks from NLB Group operate; and to promote sustainable ideas from the region. The core event Investor Day on May 9 was supported by Slovenian and Croatian Investor Conference powered by NLB a day later, and an attractive hospitality programme, presenting the magic of Slovenia.

Key challenges

A challenge we faced was how to prepare a content-rich program that would not only attract existing and potential financial investors of NLB, but also representatives of key companies and media from South-Eastern Europe, where banks from NLB Group operate (Slovenia, Serbia, BiH, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo, as well Croatia as an integral part of the region). This led to a second and crucial challenge – how to prepare a program that would equally effectively appeal to all three among themselves very different publics (investors, businessmen and media). And finally: it was no unsignificant challenge to also surpass the benchmark we had set ourselves two years earlier by organizing the first similar event in Belgrade. In the NLB Group we namely strive to constantly upgrade the experience of our clients and target audiences, as well as our own knowledge. However, we have learned the lessons of our first similar event organization and took this opportunity for improvement.

Basic information about the event

Name of the organiser

NLB

Location

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Event duration

9.5.2024-10.5.2024

Client

NLB

VOTING LINK

Event results

Creativity

The creative concept and content of the entire set of events, all evening entertainment and accompanying activities was entirely designed in-house, while the creative agency and an event’s team took care of the branding and technical implementation. We have intertwined the creative idea and title of the event New Capital Horizons into all aspects: from key visual of silhouetted Ljubljana on the horizon, to content setts focusing on the new horizons NLB’s business strategy will bring to the company and investors, and an imprint the region and Slovenia leave on the horizon. We presented new horizons to attendees also through food, which was carefully selected to introduce various corners of Slovenia, and entertainment programme, which, among others, included vocal group Perpetuum Jazzile in a mashup with Avsenik Brothers Ensemble performing their most popular polka Na Golici together, while every group also performed by themselves.

Innovation

We incorporated innovation by using state-of-the-art technology, e.g.: we used a new tool to continuously monitor the status of applications and special wishes of invitees. A part of the program dedicated to the issue of AI was enriched with an interactive demonstration of the use of AI in everyday life – how it can help us create a cocktail. We mixed it together on the fly and later served it during the lunch break. We are especially proud of the evening event: the hall, in which the conference was held, was completely refurbished for dinner. During each course which was based on a unique, traditional Slovenian ingredient, thematic images were projected 360° around guests, emphasized by typical sounds. For example: during the course based on Piran salt, images of salt and salt pans were played all around, while sea waves were heard. Thus, we intertwined all senses: sight, hearing, smell, and taste, and prepared a truly special, unforgettable experience for our guests.

Execution

The central event was held at the Hotel Union, which we have equipped with impressive scenography and technical elements. We took care of the flawless organization, including regular communication with invitees; welcome gift in hotel rooms; 24/7 availability; cocktail reception the evening before the official event; livestream of the official event; press conference and media statements; a Ljubljana guided tour or a visit to NLB’s banking museum; carefully selected gift; evening programme that included a total revamp of Union Hall scenography and, later on, transfer to Nebo club with specified programme; as well as a special, day-long Slovenia tour for key investors on Saturday, May 11. We addressed the challenge of different audiences by dividing the program into section for investors and section for clients and journalists; and invited prominent speakers, including former Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Slovenian Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič to the stage.

Measurable results

We assess the project to be very successful both due to the achieved objectives, as well as the quality of the implementation and the experience we gained. We have gathered more than 200 key existing and potential investors, financial experts, directors of regional companies, regional media, and others, while almost 400 participants followed the event via live webcast. The already excellent relations with investors were given an additional boost, which was reflected in the greater recognition and growth of the NLB share. Since the beginning of May, share price increased by 9.40% in the anticipation of the event, following by and 4.95% growth in the first two weeks after the event. More than 25 editors and journalists from all NLB Group markets were present at the event, reflecting in more than 150 media reports in the entire region, with 81% of neutral reports, 19 % of positive and zero negative media reports.

Communication

Clear and caring communication is NLB’s guiding principle – and this time was no different. We used a special tool that enabled regular communication with invitees and continuous monitoring of the status of applications and any special requirements. We communicated regularly and openly before, during and after the conference, providing all relevant information. During the events, we were at our guests’ disposal 24/7, also offering support with transport, hotel issues etc. The official language of the event was English, however, we also provided translation to local languages of our markets from South-Eastern Europe. We supported the event with communication in our own media, while the attendance of key representatives of the regional media assured media coverage and thus reach among the general public.

Sustainable practices

The organization of the event itself was sustainably oriented with details such as the restriction of the use of plastic, production of branding from sustainable materials and offer of locally sourced food. We added a touch of cultural history to the event with the gifts that participants received – an Idrija lace, listed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which continued production NLB proudly supports. Furthermore, we promoted and presented sustainable ideas of companies from the region by presenting and awarding prizes to the regional winners of the NLB Group's sustainability project Frame of Help, ensuring their visibility among top regional companies. And as business itself needs to be sustainable, we enabled numerous Slovenian and Croatian listed companies direct 1-1 meetings with global investors, thereby potentially widening their investor base and strengthening business in the region.