Form 4: Director Alicea Awarded Emerald Holding Stock Units

Emerald Holding Director Michael Alicea received an award of 23,255 restricted stock units, vesting in February 2027.

Summary

• Michael Alicea, a Director of Emerald Holding, Inc. (EEX), was awarded 23,255 shares of common stock in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs).
• The transaction occurred on February 25, 2026, with a price of $0, indicating an equity award rather than a purchase.
• These RSUs are subject to vesting on February 25, 2027, contingent on Alicea's continued service on the board of directors.
• Upon vesting, the RSUs will be settled in shares of common stock no later than 15 days after the vesting date.
• A Change in Control event, as defined in the Emerald Holding, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan, prior to the vesting date, coupled with relief from board service, would result in immediate full vesting of all unvested RSUs.
• Following this transaction, Michael Alicea beneficially owns 145,109 shares of common stock directly.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive event, reflecting standard director compensation practices that align interests with long-term company performance and retention.

Positives

• The award of 23,255 restricted stock units to a director aligns management interests with shareholder value.
• The vesting schedule encourages long-term commitment and continued service from the director.

Risks

• Vesting of the restricted stock units is contingent on Michael Alicea's continued service on the board of directors through February 25, 2027, meaning the award could be forfeited if service ceases prematurely (unless a Change in Control event occurs).

Future Outlook

The restricted stock units are scheduled to vest on February 25, 2027, contingent on the director's continued service, and will be settled in common stock within 15 days of vesting. Full vesting may accelerate upon a Change in Control event if the director's service is relieved.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that equity awards like Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are a common component of executive and director compensation packages across various industries, including the events and media sector where Emerald Holding operates. These awards are designed to align the interests of key personnel with long-term shareholder value by tying compensation to future stock performance and continued service.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Equity compensation for directors, particularly through restricted stock units, is a standard practice in publicly traded companies.
• Similar RSU grants are observed at companies like Live Nation Entertainment (LYV) for their directors, often with multi-year vesting schedules to promote retention and long-term strategic focus.
• The size of the grant (23,255 units) would typically be evaluated against the company's market capitalization and the director's overall compensation package relative to peers in the events and B2B media industry.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The award aligns the director's interests with shareholder value, potentially encouraging long-term strategic decisions. It also represents a minor dilution upon vesting.
• Employees: No direct impact on employees is mentioned in this filing.
• Customers/Suppliers/Creditors: No direct impact on customers, suppliers, or creditors is mentioned in this filing.

Next Steps

• Continued service of Michael Alicea on the board of directors until February 25, 2027, for the RSUs to vest.
• Settlement of vested restricted stock units in shares of common stock no later than 15 days after the vesting date.

Key Dates

Keywords

Emerald Holding, EEX, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Equity Award, Director Compensation, Beneficial Ownership