WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The CEO Council, a non-profit organization advocating the interests of small public companies and their shareholders, today announced that its board members will attend the 23rd Annual SEC Small Business Forum scheduled for September 20, 2004, at SEC Headquarters in Washington.
In preparation for meeting with the SEC, the CEO Council invites all officers and directors of small public companies and capital markets professionals and practitioners to provide their comments on regulatory and capital formation issues affecting them. All interested parties may provide input by emailing the Council at info@ceocouncil.net or by visiting its web site at http://www.ceocouncil.net.
Through the efforts of the CEO Council, small public company shareholders have benefited from a number of reforms, including its victory in opposing the planned termination of the OTC-Bulletin Board by NASDAQ.
The format for this year's forum will include two roundtable sessions in the morning followed by breakout group sessions in the afternoon. The first roundtable will discuss developments in auditing and their impact on smaller public companies, including recently adopted rules requiring certification of internal controls over financial reporting. The second roundtable will discuss current challenges to smaller public companies under securities law rules relating to disclosure in SEC filings and corporate governance. The roundtable sessions will be open to the public and simulcast over the Internet through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Drew Connolly, Political Action Committee Director said, "I urge you to contact us so we can more effectively represent your concerns to the SEC. It is critically important in this challenging business climate that "right-sizing" of securities regulations, specifically the recently imposed Sarbanes Oxley law, be a priority for smaller public companies. Both Congress and the SEC regulators need to be aware of its stifling effects on job creation, small business capital access and the need for increased investor participation in the marketplace."
About the CEO Council:
The mission of The CEO Council is to provide a common voice and platform for officers and directors of public companies, and enable them to more effectively interpret and participate in the corporate governance and regulatory process to ensure compliance, to safeguard shareholder value and to clearly demonstrate a dedication to fair and ethical business practices.