InnerWorkings Inc
Annual Report 2017

Plain-text annual report

inwk digital marketing execution. I N N E R W O R K I N G S | 2 0 1 7 A N N U A L R E P O R T letter from the chairman of the board My Fellow Shareholders, Over the last decade, InnerWorkings has singlehandedly and successfully created a new industry in marketing execution. Enabled by developments in technology, marketing strategy, and globalization, our Company has established a world-renowned reputation for being a pioneer in rapid, cost-effective innovation in marketing execution against the brand strategies of many of the world’s most famous and best run corporations. Many of you have spoken directly with our clients and truly appreciate the passion they have for InnerWorkings and our reputation as one of today’s leading B2B services and software providers. Our client base is relying on us and our technology platform more than ever, which has put us in an excellent position to continue to consistently grow the business and expand our highly recurring base of revenues in the future. In addition, profitability has grown significantly in recent years, and we are poised to realize substantial growth in profits yet again in 2018. In the coming years, our shareholders should expect to see an increase in free cash flows as we benefit from investments made over the past decade in M&A, sales, global expansion and software development, accompanied by incremental growth in our return on invested capital. We will continue to be nimble and adapt to new developments in the marketplace -- a hallmark of InnerWorkings that is deeply ingrained in our genetic makeup. Among the most promising opportunities for us is our leadership role in the revolution taking place in retail, as marketing in store begins to blend traditional and digital channels. For those interested in this transition, we’ve shared more information on the topic on the following pages. On a personal note, I’ve truly enjoyed my years as CEO of InnerWorkings. It’s been the thrill of my professional life to see the Company move from a small, regional print supplier serving the middle market into a global powerhouse that today is a mission-critical provider to many of the world’s best marketing departments. We’re a software-enabled, fully integrated marketing We will continue to be nimble and adapt to new developments in the marketplace — a hallmark of InnerWorkings that is deeply ingrained in our genetic makeup. execution partner across digital, packaging, retail environments, creative, events and promotions, fulfillment, installation, branded merchandise and print, with millions of annual automated client interactions through our VALO® software platform. I look forward to continuing my support of our ambitious goals in my new role as Chairman, and I wholeheartedly welcome our new CEO, Rich Stoddart, to the Company. Having led an iconic global marketing services business himself, Rich brings to InnerWorkings a level of sophistication in leadership that we feel is necessary for us to realize our grand ambitions. Rich is already off and running at full speed, generating ideas and making connections, and fitting in well with our talented leadership team. The board and I have full confidence in his ability to successfully drive the business and shareholder value forward for many years to come. I would like to give a heartfelt word of thanks to my colleagues at InnerWorkings for their outstanding contributions to our business in 2017. Your passion, creativity, and focus are nothing short of impressive, and the quality of the team that we have assembled at InnerWorkings is without a doubt the single greatest asset across our business -- it’s why I am so sure that we have a stellar future ahead of us. My regards, Eric Belcher Chairman of the Board, and former President and Chief Executive Officer connecting digital marketing execution Historically, shoppers in retail were anonymous during their journey through the store. Void of personalization, their visits were presented by retailers as a generic experience shared across all shoppers. Retailers today understand the positive effect one-to-one marketing has on sales and loyalty, and are transitioning from static displays to digitally-oriented experiences that maximize shoppers’ interests and time in store. The integration of cameras, beacons, RFID, digital screens and other advancements allow for a tailored, interactive experience that follows shoppers from the moment they set foot in store through to purchase and beyond. InnerWorkings understands that bringing digital advancements like these requires a profound knowledge of the brand and its objectives, a deep understanding of retail, a broad supplier base and agnostic business model, and highly-effective project management skills. With our VALO® software platform, as well as a global scale and complementary execution services ranging from creative services and branded merchandise to luxury packaging and events & promotions, we are uniquely positioned to become the leading global provider in this rapidly growing market and a true end-to-end provider. all touchpoints building brands 360º • Online & offline creative services • Print production & fulfillment • Direct marketing (mail & email) • Branded merchandise • Product & luxury packaging • Retail environments, displays & digital point of sale • Events & promotions • Software as a Service UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 Commission file number: 000-52170 INNERWORKINGS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 20-5997364 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 600 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60654 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (312) 642-3700 (Registrants’ telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Stock, $0.0001 par value Name of each exchange on which registered Nasdaq Global Market Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes: No: The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30th, 2017 the last business day of the registrant’s most recent completed second quarter, was $524,995,340 (based on the closing sale price of the registrant’s common stock on that date as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market). As of March 12, 2018, the registrant had 54,336,258 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding which includes 749,482 shares of unvested restricted stock awards that have voting rights and are held by members of the Board of Directors and the Company’s employees. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE The registrant intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of the end of its fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Portions of such proxy statement are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. TABLE OF CONTENTS Business Risk Factors Unresolved Staff Comments Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Selected Financial Data Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Procedures Other Information Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence Principal Accountant Fees and Services PART I Item 1. Item 1A. Item 1B. Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. PART II Item 5. Item 6. Item 7. Item 7A. Item 8. Item 9. Item 9A. Item 9B. PART III Item 10. Item 11. Item 12. Item 13. Item 14. PART IV Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules Signatures 4 4 9 17 17 17 17 17 17 20 21 37 38 71 71 72 73 73 73 73 73 73 75 75 78 3 PART I Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “InnerWorkings, Inc.,” “InnerWorkings,” the "Company” “we,” “us” or “our” are to InnerWorkings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its subsidiaries. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors which could materially affect such forward-looking statements can be found in Part I, Item 1A entitled “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7 entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date hereof. Except as expressly required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or changed circumstances. Item 1. Business Our Company We are a leading global marketing execution firm for some of the world's most marketing intensive companies, including those listed in the Fortune 1000. As a comprehensive outsourced global solution, we leverage proprietary technology, an extensive supplier network and deep domain expertise to streamline the creation, production and distribution of marketing and promotional materials, signage and displays, retail experiences, events and promotions and product packaging across every major market worldwide. The items we source generally are procured through the marketing supply chain and we refer to these items collectively as marketing materials. Through our network of more than 8,000 global suppliers, we offer a full range of fulfillment and logistics services that allow us to procure marketing materials of virtually any kind. The breadth of our product offerings and services and the depth of our supplier network enable us to fulfill the marketing materials procurement needs of our clients. Our proprietary software applications and databases create a fully-integrated solution that stores, analyzes and tracks the production capabilities of our supplier network, as well as detailed pricing data. As a result, we believe we have one of the largest independent repositories of supplier capabilities and pricing data for suppliers of marketing materials around the world. We leverage our supplier capabilities and pricing data to match our orders with suppliers that are optimally suited to meet the client’s needs at a highly competitive price. Our technology and databases of product and supplier information are designed to capitalize on excess manufacturing capacity and other inefficiencies in the traditional marketing materials supply chain to obtain favorable pricing while delivering high-quality products and services for our clients. By leveraging our technology and data, our clients are able to reduce overhead costs, redeploy internal resources and obtain favorable pricing and service terms. In addition, our ability to track individual transactions and provide customized reports detailing procurement activity on an enterprise-wide basis provides our clients with greater visibility and control of their marketing materials expenditures. We generate revenue by procuring and purchasing marketing materials from our suppliers and selling those products to our clients. We procure products for clients across a wide range of industries, such as retail, financial services, hospitality, consumer packaged goods, non-profits, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable and transportation. We were formed in 2001, commenced operations in 2002 and converted from a limited liability company to a Delaware corporation in January 2006. Our corporate headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our annual revenues were $1.1 billion and we operated in 68 global office locations. We organize our operations into two segments based on geographic regions: North America and International. The North America segment includes operations in the United States and Canada; the International segment includes operations in Mexico, South America, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. We believe the opportunity exists to expand our business 4 into new geographic markets. Our objective is to continue to increase our sales in the major markets in the United States and internationally. We intend to hire or acquire more account executives within close proximity to these large markets. Industry Overview Our business of providing marketing execution solutions primarily includes the procurement of marketing materials, branded merchandise, product packaging and retail displays. Based on external sources we estimate the global market for marketing materials, product packaging and retail displays, in aggregate, to be approximately $600 billion annually. Procurement of marketing materials is often dispersed across several areas of a business, including sales, marketing, communications and finance. The traditional process of procuring, designing and producing an order often requires extensive collaboration by manufacturers, designers, agencies, brokers, fulfillment and other middlemen, which is highly inefficient for the customer, who typically pays a mark-up at each intermediate stage of the supply chain. Consolidating marketing activities across the organization represents an opportunity to reduce total expenditure and decrease the number of vendors in the marketing supply chain. To become more competitive, many large corporations seek to focus on their core competencies and outsource non-core business functions, which typically include marketing execution. According to a recent industry report the global business process outsourcing market for managed procurement is more than $250 billion and growing at about 12% annually. We seek to capitalize on the trends impacting the marketing supply chain and the movement towards outsourcing of non-core business functions by leveraging our propriety technology, deep domain expertise, extensive supplier network and purchasing power. Our Solution Utilizing our proprietary technology and data, we provide our clients a global solution to procure and deliver marketing materials at favorable prices. Our network of more than 8,000 global suppliers offers a wide variety of products and a full range of print, fulfillment and logistics services. Our procurement software and database seeks to capitalize on excess manufacturing capacity and other inefficiencies in the traditional supply chain for marketing materials. We believe that the most competitive prices we obtain from our suppliers are offered by the suppliers with the most unused capacity. We utilize our technology to: • • • greatly increase the number of suppliers that our clients can access efficiently; obtain favorable pricing and deliver high quality products and services for our clients; and aggregate our purchasing power. Our proprietary technology and data streamline the procurement process for our clients by eliminating inefficiencies within the traditional marketing supply chain and expediting production. However, our technology cannot manage all of the variables associated with procuring marketing materials, which often involves extensive collaboration among numerous parties. Effective management of the procurement process requires that dedicated and experienced personnel work closely with both clients and suppliers. Our account executives and production managers perform that critical function. Account executives act as the primary sales staff to our clients. Production managers manage the entire procurement process for our clients to ensure timely and accurate delivery of the finished product. For each order we receive, a production manager uses our technology to gather specifications, solicit bids from the optimal suppliers, establish pricing with the client, manage production and purchase and coordinate the delivery of the finished product. Each client is assigned an account executive and one or more production managers, who develop relationships with client personnel responsible for authorizing and making purchases. Our largest clients often are assigned multiple production managers. In certain cases, our production managers function on-site at the client's offices. Whether on-site or off-site, a production manager functions as a virtual employee of the client. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 650 production managers and account executives, including over 275 working on-site at our client's offices. Our Proprietary Technology Our proprietary technology is a fully-integrated solution that stores equipment profiles for our supplier network and price data for orders we quote and execute. Our technology allows us to match orders with the suppliers in our network that are optimally suited 5 to produce an order at a highly competitive price. Our technology also allows us to efficiently manage the critical aspects of the procurement process, including gathering order specifications, identifying suppliers, establishing pricing, managing production and coordinating purchase and delivery of the finished product. Our database stores the production capabilities of our supplier network, as well as price and quote data for bids we receive and transactions we execute. As a result, we maintain one of the largest independent repositories of equipment profiles and price data for suppliers of marketing materials. Our production managers use this data to discover excess manufacturing capacity, select optimal suppliers, negotiate favorable pricing and efficiently procure high-quality products and services for our clients. We rate our suppliers based on product quality, customer service and overall satisfaction. This data is stored in our database and used by our production managers during the supplier selection process. We believe our proprietary technology allows us to procure marketing materials more efficiently than traditional manual or semi-automated systems used by many manufacturers in the marketplace. Our technology includes the following features: • Customized order management. Our solution automatically generates customized data entry screens based on product type and guides the production manager to enter the required job specifications. For example, if a production manager selects “envelope” in the product field, the screen will automatically prompt the production manager to specify the size, paper type, window size and placement and display style. • • Cost management. Our solution reconciles supplier invoices to executed orders to ensure the supplier adhered to the pricing and other terms contained in the order. In addition, it includes checks and balances that allow us to monitor important financial indicators relating to an order, such as projected gross margin and significant job alterations. Standardized reporting. Our solution generates transaction reports that contain quote, supplier capability, price and customer service information regarding the orders the client has completed with us. These reports can be customized, sorted and searched based on a specified time period or the type of product, price or supplier. In addition, the reports give our clients insight into their spend for each individual job and on an enterprise-wide basis, which allows the client to track the amounts it spends on job components such as paper, production and logistics. Task-tracking. Our solution creates a work order checklist that sends e-mail reminders to our production managers regarding the time elapsed between certain milestones and the completion of specified deliverables. These automated notifications enable our production managers to focus on more critical aspects of the process and eliminate delays. • Historical price baseline. Some of our larger clients provide us with pricing data for orders they completed before they began to use our solution. For these clients, our solution automatically compares our current price for a job to the price obtained by the client for a comparable historical job, which enables us to demonstrate on an ongoing basis the cost savings we provide. • We have created customized e-commerce stores on our client and third party platforms to order pre-selected products, such as personalized stationery, marketing brochures and promotional products. Automated order processes can send requests to our vendors for fulfillment or printing of variable print on demand products. Our Clients We procure marketing materials for corporate clients across a wide range of industries, such as retail, financial services, hospitality, consumer packaged goods, non-profits, healthcare, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable and transportation. Our clients also include manufacturers that outsource jobs to us because they do not have the requisite capabilities or capacity to complete an order. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our largest customer accounted for 5%, 5% and 5% of our revenue, respectively. Revenue from our top ten clients accounted for 28%, 27% and 27% of our revenue in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We generate revenue by procuring and purchasing marketing materials from our suppliers and selling those products to our clients. Our services are provided under long-term contracts, purchase orders, or other contractual arrangements, and the scope and terms of these contracts vary by client. Our Products and Services We offer a full range of solutions to support the marketing execution needs of our clients. Our outsourced print management solution encompasses the design, sourcing and delivery of printed marketing materials such as direct mail, in-store signage and marketing collateral. We provide a similar outsourced solution for the design, sourcing and delivery of other categories in the marketing supply chain, such as branded merchandise and product packaging. We also assist clients with the management of events and promotions spending and related procurement needs. Our retail environments solution involves the design, sourcing and installation 6 of point of sale displays, permanent retail fixtures and overall store design. We also offer on-site outsourced creative studio services, digital marketing services, as well as on-demand creative services. We offer comprehensive fulfillment and logistics services, such as kitting and assembly, inventory management and pre- sorting postage. These services are often essential to the completion of the finished product. For example, we assemble multi-level direct mailings, insurance benefits packages and coupons and promotional incentives that are included with credit card and bank statements. We also provide creative services, including copywriting, graphics and website design, identity work and marketing collateral development and pre-media services, such as image and print-ready page processing and proofing capabilities. Our e- commerce and online collaboration technology empowers our clients with branded self-service ecommerce websites that prompt quick and easy online ordering, fulfillment, tracking and reporting. We agree to provide our clients with products that conform to the industry standard of a “commercially reasonable quality” and our suppliers in turn agree to provide us with products of the same quality. The contracts we execute with our clients typically include customary provisions that limit the amount of our liability for product defects. To date, we have not experienced significant claims or liabilities relating to defective products. Our Supplier Network Our global network of more than 8,000 suppliers includes graphic designers, paper mills and merchants, digital imaging companies, specialty binders, finishing and engraving firms, fulfillment and distribution centers and manufacturers of displays and promotional items. These suppliers have been selected from among thousands of potential suppliers worldwide on the basis of price, quality, delivery and customer service. We direct requests for quotations to potential suppliers based on historical pricing data, quality control rankings and geographic proximity to a client or other criteria specified by our clients. In 2017, our top ten suppliers accounted for approximately 12% of our cost of goods sold and no supplier accounted for more than 2% of our cost of goods sold. We have established a quality control program that is designed to ensure that we deliver high-quality products and services to our clients through the suppliers in our network. Sales and Marketing Our account executives sell our marketing execution solutions to corporate clients. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 350 sales and account executives. Our agreements with our account executives require them to market and sell our solutions on an exclusive basis and contain non-compete and non-solicitation provisions that apply during and for a specified period after the term of their service. We expect to continue our growth by recruiting and retaining highly qualified account executives and providing them with the tools to be successful in the marketplace. There are a large number of experienced sales representatives globally and we believe that we will be able to identify additional qualified account executives from this pool of individuals. We also expect to augment our sales force through selective acquisitions of other businesses that offer marketing execution services, including brokers that employ experienced sales personnel with established client relationships. We believe that we offer account executives an attractive opportunity because they can utilize our vast supplier network, proprietary pricing data and customized order management solution to sell virtually any type of marketing materials at a highly competitive price. In addition, the diverse production and service capabilities of the suppliers in our network provide our account executives the opportunity to deliver a more complete product and service offering to our clients. We believe we can better attract and retain experienced account executives than our competitors because of the breadth of products offered by our supplier network. To date, we have been successful in attracting and retaining qualified account executives. The on-boarding process consists of training with our sales management, as well as access to a variety of sales and educational resources that are available on our intranet. Competition Our marketing execution solutions compete with in-house procurement departments in large marketing intensive companies, creative agencies that purchase marketing materials on behalf of their clients in connection with the agencies’ marketing campaign and brand strategy services and companies in several manufacturing industries, including design, graphics art, digital imaging and 7 fulfillment and logistics. As a result, we compete on some level with virtually every company that is involved in printing, from graphic designers to pre-press firms and fulfillment companies. Our competitors include manufacturers that employ traditional methods of marketing and selling their printed materials. The manufacturers with which we compete generally own and operate their own manufacturing equipment and typically serve clients only within the specific product categories that their equipment produces. We also compete with manufacturing management firms and brokers. These competitors generally do not own or operate printing equipment and typically work with a limited number of suppliers and have minimal financial investment in the quality of the products produced for their clients. Our industry experience indicates that several of these competitors offer print procurement services or enterprise software applications for the print industry. The principal elements of competition in marketing materials procurement are price, product quality, customer service, technology and reliability. Although we believe our business delivers products and services on competitive terms, our business and the marketing execution industry are relatively new and are evolving rapidly. Intellectual Property We rely primarily on a combination of copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret laws to protect our intellectual property rights. We also protect our proprietary technology through confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with our employees and independent contractors. Our IT infrastructure provides a high level of security for our proprietary database. The storage system for our proprietary data is designed to ensure that power and hardware failures do not result in the loss of critical data. The proprietary data is protected from unauthorized access through a combination of physical and logical security measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion detection software, password encryption and physical security, with access limited to authorized IT personnel. In addition to our security infrastructure, our system data is backed up and stored in a redundant facility on a daily basis to prevent the loss of our proprietary data due to catastrophic failures or natural disasters. We test our overall IT recovery ability and co-location facility semi-annually and test our back-up processes quarterly to verify that we can recover our business critical systems in a timely fashion. Employees As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 2,000 employees and independent contractors in more than 26 countries. We consider our employee relations to be strong. Our Website Our website is http://www.inwk.com. We make available, free of charge through our website, our Annual Reports on Form 10- K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including exhibits and any amendments to those reports, filed with or furnished to the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"). We make these reports available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after our electronic filing of such materials with or the furnishing of them to, the SEC. The information contained on our website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other public filing made by us to the SEC. 8 Item 1A. Risk Factors Set forth below are certain risk factors that could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully read the following risk factors, together with the financial statements, related notes and other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our business, financial condition and operating results may suffer if any of the following risks are realized. If any of these risks or uncertainties occur, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the discussion of “forward-looking statements” on page four of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in connection with your consideration of the risk factors and other important factors that may affect future results described below. Risks Related to Our Business Competition could substantially impair our business and our operating results We compete with companies in the manufacturing of marketing related products, including printed materials, in-store displays, packaging materials, graphics art and digital imaging and fulfillment and logistics. Competition in these industries is intense. Our primary competitors are manufacturers that employ traditional methods of marketing and selling their marketing materials. Some of these manufacturers have larger client bases and significantly more resources than we do. Buyers may prefer to utilize the traditional services offered by the manufacturers with whom we compete. Alternatively, some of these manufacturers may elect to offer outsourced print procurement services or enterprise software applications and their well-established client relationships, industry knowledge, brand recognition, financial and marketing capabilities, technical resources and pricing flexibility may provide them with a competitive advantage over us. We also compete with a number of management firms and brokers. Several of these competitors offer outsourced procurement services or enterprise software applications for the marketing industry. These competitors or new competitors that enter the market, may also offer procurement services similar to and competitive with or superior to, our current or proposed offerings and may achieve greater market acceptance. In addition, a software solution and database similar to our proprietary technology could be created over time by a competitor with sufficient financial resources and comparable industry experience. If our competitors are able to offer comparable services, we could lose clients and our market share could decline. Our competitors may also establish cooperative relationships to increase their ability to address client needs. Increased competition may lead to revenue reductions, reduced gross margins or a loss of market share, any one of which could harm our business and our operating results. If our services do not achieve widespread commercial acceptance, our business will suffer. Most companies currently coordinate the procurement and management of their marketing materials with their own employees using a combination of telephone, e-mail, their own technology platforms and the Internet. Growth in the demand for our services depends on the adoption of our outsourcing model for marketing related procurement services. We may not be able to persuade prospective clients to change their traditional procurement processes. Our business could suffer if our services are not accepted or are not perceived by the marketplace to be effective or valuable. If our suppliers do not meet our needs or expectations or those of our clients, our business would suffer. The success of our business depends to a large extent on our relationships with our clients and our reputation for high quality marketing materials and marketing execution services. We do not own manufacturing equipment. Instead, we rely on third-party suppliers to deliver the products and services that we provide to our clients. As a result, we do not directly control the products manufactured or the services provided by our suppliers. If our suppliers do not meet our needs or expectations or those of our clients, our professional reputation may be damaged, our business would be harmed and we could be subject to legal liability. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from a relatively limited number of large clients and any loss or decrease in sales to these clients could harm our results of operations. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from a relatively limited number of large clients. Revenue from our top ten clients accounted for 28%, 27% and 27% of our revenue during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our largest client accounted for 5%, 5% and 5% of our revenue in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We are likely to continue to 9 experience ongoing client concentration, particularly if we are successful in attracting large clients. Moreover, there may be a loss or reduction in business from one or more of our large clients. It is also possible that revenue from these clients, either individually or as a group, may not reach or exceed historical levels in any future period. The loss or significant reduction of business from our major clients would adversely affect our results of operations. A significant or prolonged economic downturn or a dramatic decline in the demand for marketing materials, could adversely affect our revenue and results of operations. Our results of operations are affected directly by the level of business activity of our clients, which in turn is affected by the level of economic activity and cyclicality in the industries and markets that they serve. Certain of our products are sold to industries, including the advertising, retail, consumer products, housing, financial and pharmaceutical industries, that experience significant fluctuations in demand based on general economic conditions, cyclicality and other factors beyond our control. Continued economic uncertainty or an economic downturn could result in a reduction of the marketing budgets of our clients or a decrease in the number of marketing materials that our clients order from us. Reduced demand from one of these industries or markets could negatively affect our revenues, operating income and profitability. A significant decrease in the number of our suppliers could adversely affect our business. Our suppliers are not contractually required to continue to accept orders from us. If production capacity at a significant number of our suppliers becomes unavailable, we will be required to use fewer suppliers, which could significantly limit our ability to serve our clients on competitive terms. In addition, we rely on price bids provided by our suppliers to populate our database. If the number of our suppliers decreases significantly, we may not be able to obtain sufficient pricing information for our database, which could adversely affect our ability to obtain favorable pricing for our clients and negatively impact our operating income and profitability. We may face difficulties as we expand our operations into countries in which we have limited operating experience. Aggregate revenue from our International segment represented 32%, 33% and 31% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We intend to expand our global footprint, which may involve expanding into countries other than those in which we currently operate or increasing our operations in countries where we currently have limited operations and resources. Our business outside of the United States is subject to various risks, including: • • changes in economic and political conditions; changes in and compliance with international and domestic laws and regulations, including anti-corruption laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Anti-Bribery Act; • wars, civil unrest, acts of terrorism and other conflicts; • • • • • • • natural disasters; compliance with and changes in tariffs, trade restrictions, trade agreements and taxation; difficulties in managing or overseeing foreign operations; limitations on the repatriation of funds because of foreign exchange controls; political and economic corruption; less developed and less predictable legal systems than those in the United States; and intellectual property laws of countries which do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. The occurrence or consequences of any of these factors may lead to significant legal or compliance expenses and may restrict our ability to operate in the affected region or result in the loss of clients in the affected region or other regions, which could adversely affect our revenue, operating income and profitability. As we expand our business in foreign countries, we will become exposed to increased risk of loss from foreign currency fluctuations and exchange controls, particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies, as well as longer accounts receivable payment cycles. We have limited control over these risks and if we do not correctly anticipate changes in international economic and political conditions, we may not alter our business practices in time to avoid adverse effects. The European economy continues to experience overall weakness as a result of lingering high unemployment, sovereign debt issues and tightening of government budgets. Continued weak economic conditions in Europe could adversely affect our results of operations in the European countries in which we conduct business. Additionally, concerns persist regarding the debt burden of certain of the countries that have adopted the Euro currency (the “Euro zone”) and their ability to meet future financial obligations, as well as concerns regarding the overall stability of the Euro to function as a single currency among the diverse economic, social 10 and political circumstances within the Euro zone. We conduct a portion of our business in Euro. Although it remains uncertain whether significant changes in the utilization of the Euro will occur or what the potential impact of such changes in the Euro zone or globally might be, a material shift in circulation of the Euro could result in disruptions to our business and negatively impact our results of operations. The United Kingdom’s referendum to leave the European Union or “Brexit,” has and may continue to cause disruptions to capital and currency markets worldwide. The full impact of the Brexit decision, however, remains uncertain. A process of negotiation will determine the future terms of the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union. During this period of negotiation, our results of operations and access to capital may be negatively affected by interest rate, exchange rate and other market and economic volatility, as well as regulatory and political uncertainty. Brexit may also have a detrimental effect on our customers, distributors and suppliers, which would, in turn, adversely affect our financial condition. We are subject to taxation related risks in multiple jurisdictions. We are a U.S.-based multinational company subject to tax in multiple U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our global provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities and in evaluating our tax positions on a worldwide basis. While we believe our tax positions are consistent with the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business, it is possible that these positions may be overturned by jurisdictional tax authorities, which may have a significant impact on our global provision for income taxes. Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. We are also subject to ongoing tax audits. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve and can be highly subjective. Tax authorities may disagree with certain tax reporting positions taken by us and, as a result, assess additional taxes against us. We regularly assess the likely outcomes of these audits in order to determine the appropriateness of our tax provision. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive Federal tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”). The newly enacted Act, makes changes to the corporate tax rate, business-related deductions and taxation of foreign earnings, among others, that will generally be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. The changes effected by the Act required us to remeasure existing deferred tax assets and liabilities using our new statutory rate and to include a provisional one time transition tax expense related to the deemed repatriation of certain foreign earnings and profits. This amount is payable over eight years. We have not completed our accounting for the income tax effects of certain elements of the Act, including the new GILTI and BEAT taxes. Due to the complexity of these new tax rules, we are continuing to evaluate these provisions of the Act. As a result, we have not included an estimate of the tax expense/benefit related to these items for the period ended December 31, 2017. In addition, governmental tax authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the tax positions of companies. Many countries in the European Union, as well as a number of other countries and organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, are actively considering changes to existing tax laws that, if enacted, could increase our tax obligations in countries where we do business. The impact of tax reform in the US or other foreign tax law changes could result in an overall tax rate increase to our business. If we are unable to retain and expand the number of our account executives or if a significant number of our account executives leave InnerWorkings, our ability to increase our revenues could be negatively impacted. Our ability to expand our business will depend largely on our ability to attract and retain account executives with established client relationships. Competition for qualified account executives can be challenging and we may be unable to hire such individuals. Any difficulties we experience in expanding or retaining the number of our account executives could have a negative impact on our ability to expand our client base, increase our revenue and continue our growth. In addition, we must properly incentivize our account executives to obtain new clients and maintain existing client relationships. If a significant number of our account executives leave InnerWorkings and take their clients with them, our revenue could be negatively impacted. Although we have entered into non-competition agreements with our account executives, we may need to litigate to enforce our rights under these agreements, which could be time-consuming, expensive and ineffective. A significant increase in the turnover rate among our current account executives could also increase our recruiting costs and decrease our operating efficiency and productivity, which could lead to a decline in the demand for our services. If we are unable to expand our client base, our revenue growth rate may be negatively impacted. 11 As part of our growth strategy, we seek to attract new clients and expand relationships with existing clients. If we are unable to attract new clients or expand our relationships with our existing clients, our ability to grow our business will be hindered. Most of our clients may terminate their relationships with us on short notice with no or limited penalties. Many of our clients use our services on an order-by-order basis rather than under long-term contracts. These clients have no obligation to continue using our services and may stop purchasing from us at any time. We have entered into long-term contracts and contract renewals with many of our clients, which are generally for three to five year initial terms. Most of these contracts, however, permit the clients to terminate our engagements upon prior notice, typically ranging from 90 days to 12 months with limited or no penalties. The volume and type of services we provide our clients may vary from year to year and could be reduced if a client were to change its outsourcing or procurement strategy. If a significant number of our clients elect to terminate or not to renew their engagements with us or if the volume of their orders decreases, our business, operating results and financial condition could suffer. We may not be able to develop or implement new systems, procedures and controls that are required to support the continued growth in our operations. Our business continues to grow in size and complexity, and continued growth could place a significant strain on our ability to: recruit, motivate and retain qualified account executives, production managers and management personnel; preserve our culture, values and entrepreneurial environment; develop and improve our internal administrative infrastructure and execution standards; and • • • • maintain high levels of client satisfaction. To manage our growth, we must implement and maintain proper operational and financial controls and systems. Further, we will need to manage our relationships with various clients and suppliers. We cannot give any assurance that we will be able to develop and implement, on a timely basis, the systems, procedures and controls required to support the growth in our operations or effectively manage our relationships with various clients and suppliers. If we are unable to manage our growth, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. Our business and stock price may be adversely affected if our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires companies to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of their internal control over financial reporting. To comply with this statute, each year we are required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting; our management is required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal control over financial reporting; and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we reported that management identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. See “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.” We cannot assure that we will not discover other material weaknesses in the future. The existence of one or more material weaknesses could result in errors to our financial statements and substantial costs and resources may be required to correct and remediate internal control deficiencies and to defend litigation. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly, we may be unable to obtain additional financing to operate and expand our business and our business and financial results could deteriorate. We adopted the new required revenue recognition standard, which took effect as of January 1, 2018, and we may have difficulties implementing this standard. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which has been subsequently updated. We adopted the provisions in ASC 606, as amended, on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method and will only apply this method to contracts that are not completed as of the date of adoption. To comply with the requirements of ASC 606 as of January 1, 2018, we are continuing to update and enhance our internal accounting systems, operational processes and our internal controls over financial reporting. If we are not successful in updating our policies, procedures, information systems and internal controls over financial reporting, the revenue that we recognize and the related disclosures that we provide under ASC 606 may not be complete or accurate, 12 which could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. This implementation work has required, and will continue to require, additional investments by us, which could increase our operating costs in future periods. Further, the regulatory guidance for ASC 606 will likely evolve over time, which could adversely impact our financial results (including potentially results reported prior to such evolution) and require changes to our disclosures and internal systems, processes, and controls. The global integration of our technology platform may result in business interruptions. We are currently implementing a common technology platform across our global operations. The implementation of and such changes to our technology platform and related software carry risks such as cost overruns, project delays and business interruptions and delays. If we experience a material business interruption as a result of this process, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations. Security and privacy breaches may damage client relations and inhibit our growth. The secure and uninterrupted operation of our information technology systems is critical to our business. Despite the security measures that we have implemented, including those measures related to cybersecurity, our systems, as well as those of our customers, suppliers and other service providers could be breached or damaged by computer viruses, malware, phishing attacks, denial-of- service attacks, natural or man-made incidents or disasters, or unauthorized physical or electronic access. These types of incidents have become more prevalent and pervasive across industries, including in our industry, and are expected to continue in the future. A breach could result in business disruption, theft of our intellectual property, trade secrets or customer information and unauthorized access to personnel information. Although cybersecurity and the continued development and enhancement of our controls, processes and practices designed to protect our information technology systems from attack, damage or unauthorized access are a high priority for us, our activities and investment may not be deployed quickly enough or successfully protect our systems against all vulnerabilities, including technologies developed to bypass our security measures. In addition, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or customers to disclose access credentials or other sensitive information in order to gain access to our secure systems and networks. There are no assurances that our actions and investments to improve the maturity of our systems, processes and risk management framework or remediate vulnerabilities will be sufficient or completed quickly enough to prevent or limit the impact of any cyber intrusion. Moreover, because the techniques used to gain access to or sabotage systems often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate the methods necessary to defend against these types of attacks and we cannot predict the extent, frequency or impact these problems may have on us. To the extent that our business is interrupted or data is lost, destroyed or inappropriately used or disclosed, such disruptions could adversely affect our competitive position, relationships with our customers, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. In addition, we may be required to incur significant costs to protect against the damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future. We are also dependent on security measures that some of our third-party customers, suppliers and other service providers take to protect their own systems and infrastructures. Some of these third parties store or have access to certain of our sensitive data, as well as confidential information about their own operations, and as such are subject to their own cybersecurity threats. Any security breach of any of these third-parties’ systems could result in unauthorized access to our information technology systems, cause us to be non-compliant with applicable laws or regulations, subject us to legal claims or proceedings, disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, and cause a loss of confidence in our products and services, any of which could adversely affect our financial performance. A decrease in levels of excess capacity in the commercial print industry could have an adverse impact on our business. We believe that for the past several years the U.S. commercial print industry has experienced significant levels of excess capacity. Our business seeks to capitalize on imbalances between supply and demand in the print industry by obtaining favorable pricing terms from suppliers in our network with excess capacity. Reduced excess capacity in the print industry generally and in our supplier network specifically, could have an adverse impact on our ability to execute our business strategy and on our business results and growth prospects. Our inability to protect our intellectual property rights may impair our competitive position. If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, our competitors could replicate our proprietary technology and processes and offer similar services, which would harm our competitive position. We rely primarily on a combination of copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret laws and confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements to protect our proprietary technology. We cannot be certain that the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate or that third parties will not infringe or misappropriate our rights or imitate or duplicate our services and methodologies. We may need to litigate to enforce our 13 intellectual property rights or determine the validity and scope of the rights of others. Any such litigation could be time-consuming and costly. If we are unable to maintain our proprietary technology, demand for our services and therefore our revenue could decrease. We rely heavily on our proprietary technology to procure marketing materials for our clients. To keep pace with changing technologies and client demands, we must correctly interpret and address market trends and enhance the features and functionality of our technology in response to these trends, which may lead to significant research and development costs. We may be unable to accurately determine the needs of buyers or the trends in the marketing industry or to design and implement the appropriate features and functionality of our technology in a timely and cost-effective manner, which could result in decreased demand for our services and a corresponding decrease in our revenue. In addition, we must protect our systems against physical damage from fire, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hacker attacks, physical break-ins and similar events. Any software or hardware damage or failure that causes interruption or an increase in response time of our proprietary technology could reduce client satisfaction and decrease usage of our services. If the key members of our management team do not remain with us in the future, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. Our future success will depend to a significant extent on the successful transition of Chief Executive Officer responsibilities from Eric Belcher, our current Chief Executive Officer, to Rich Stoddart, whose appointment as successor Chief Executive Officer takes effect on April 5, 2018. Following the Chief Executive Officer succession, our future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued services of Rich Stoddart, Charles Hodgkins, our Interim Chief Financial Officer, Robert Burkart, our Chief Information Officer and Ron Provenzano, our General Counsel. The loss of the services of these individuals could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition and could divert other senior management time in searching for their replacements. We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates, effectively integrate newly acquired businesses or achieve expected profitability from acquisitions. Part of our growth strategy is to increase our revenue and the markets that we serve through the acquisition of additional businesses. We are actively considering certain acquisitions and will likely consider others in the future. There can be no assurance that suitable candidates for acquisitions can be identified or, if suitable candidates are identified, that acquisitions can be completed on acceptable terms, if at all. Even if suitable candidates are identified, any future acquisitions may entail a number of risks that could adversely affect our business and the market price of our common stock, including the integration of the acquired operations, diversion of management’s attention, risks of entering markets in which we have limited experience, adverse short-term effects on our reported operating results, the potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses and risks associated with unanticipated liabilities. We have used and expect to continue to use, shares of our common stock to pay for all or a portion of our acquisitions. If the owners of potential acquisition candidates are not willing to receive our common stock in exchange for their businesses, our acquisition prospects could be limited. Future acquisitions could also result in accounting charges, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities and increased debt and contingent liabilities, including liabilities related to unknown or undisclosed circumstances, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our common stock. Our business is subject to seasonal sales fluctuations, which could result in volatility or have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Our business is subject to some degree of sales seasonality. Historically, the percentage of our annual revenue earned during the third and fourth fiscal quarters has been higher due, in part, to a greater number of orders for marketing materials in anticipation of the year-end holiday season. If our business continues to experience seasonality, we may incur significant additional expenses during our third and fourth quarters, including additional staffing expenses. Consequently, if we were to experience lower than expected revenue during any future third or fourth quarter, whether from a general decline in economic conditions or other factors beyond our control, our expenses may not be offset, which would have a disproportionate impact on our operating results and financial condition for that year. Such fluctuations in our operating results could result in volatility or have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. 14 Price fluctuations in raw materials costs could adversely affect the margins on our orders. Our business relies on a constant supply of various raw materials, including paper and ink. Prices within the print industry are directly affected by the cost of paper, which is purchased in a price sensitive market that has historically exhibited price and demand cyclicality. Prices are also affected by the cost of ink. Our profit margin and profitability are largely a function of the rates that our suppliers charge us compared to the rates that we charge our clients. If our suppliers increase the price of our orders and we are not able to find suitable or alternative suppliers, our profit margin may decline. If any of our products cause damages or injuries, we may experience product liability claims. Clients and third parties who claim to suffer damages or an injury caused by our products may bring lawsuits against us. Defending lawsuits arising out of any of the products we provide to our clients could be costly and absorb substantial amounts of management attention, which could adversely affect our financial performance. A significant product liability judgment against us could harm our reputation and business. If any of our key clients fails to pay for our services, our profitability would be negatively impacted. In general, we take full title and risk of loss for the products we procure from our suppliers. Our obligation to pay our suppliers is not contingent upon receipt of payment from our clients. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, our revenue was $1,136.3 million, $1,090.7 million and $1,029.4 million, respectively and our top ten clients accounted for 28%, 27% and 27%, respectively, of such revenue. If any of our key clients fails to pay for our services, our profitability would be negatively impacted. Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited and our failure to raise capital when needed could prevent us from growing. We may in the future be required to raise capital through public or private financing or other arrangements. Such financing may not be available on acceptable terms or at all and our failure to raise capital when needed could harm our business. Additional equity financing may be dilutive to the holders of our common stock and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants and could reduce our profitability. If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to grow our business or respond to competitive pressures. Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile. The trading prices of many small and mid-cap companies are highly volatile. Since our initial public offering in August 2006 through December 31, 2017, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market has ranged from a low of $1.92 on March 2, 2009 to a high of $18.69 on October 9, 2007. Certain factors may continue to cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate, including: • • • • • • • • • • • fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us; changes in market valuations of similar companies; changes in economic and political conditions in the United States or abroad; success of competitive products or services; changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of debt or equity securities; announcements by us, our competitors, our clients or our suppliers of significant products or services, contracts, acquisitions or strategic alliances; regulatory developments in the United States or foreign countries; litigation involving our company, our general industry or both; additions or departures of key personnel; investors’ general perception of us; and changes in general industry and market conditions. In addition, if the stock market experiences a loss of investor confidence, then the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to class action lawsuits that could be costly to defend and a distraction to management. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment. 15 Our quarterly results are difficult to predict and may vary from quarter to quarter, which may result in our failure to meet the expectations of investors and increased volatility of our stock price. The continued use of our services by our clients depends, in part, on the business activity of our clients and our ability to meet their cost saving needs, as well as their own changing business conditions. The time between our payment to the supplier and our receipt of payment from our clients varies with each job and client. In addition, a significant percentage of our revenue is subject to the discretion of our clients, who may stop using our services at any time, subject, in the case of most of our clients, to advance notice requirements. Therefore, the number, size and profitability of jobs may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. As a result, our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict and may fall below the expectations of current or potential investors in some future quarters, which could lead to significant variations in the market price of our stock. The factors that are likely to cause these variations include: • • • • • • • • the demand for our marketing execution solutions; the use of outsourced enterprise solutions; clients’ business decisions regarding the quantities of marketing materials they purchase; the number, timing and profitability of our jobs, unanticipated contract terminations and job postponements; new product introductions and enhancements by our competitors; changes in our pricing policies; our ability to manage costs, including personnel costs; and costs related to possible acquisitions of other businesses. We do not currently intend to pay dividends, which may limit the return on your investment. We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. If our board of directors authorizes the issuance of preferred stock, holders of our common stock could be diluted and harmed. Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to establish the preferred stock’s voting powers, preferences and other rights and qualifications without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power and dividend liquidation rights of the holders of common stock. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire or discouraging a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock or otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock. It is possible that we may need to raise capital through the sale of preferred stock in the future. 16 Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments None. Item 2. Properties Properties Our principal executive offices are located in Chicago, Illinois. We have 26 other office locations in the United States and 41 office locations in 26 other countries around the world. These other offices are located in Canada, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, the United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and various other countries and are principally used for sales, operations, finance, administration and warehousing. We believe that our facilities are generally suitable to meet our needs for the foreseeable future; however, we will continue to seek additional space as needed to satisfy our growth. All of the properties where we conduct our business are leased. The terms of the leases vary and have expiration dates ranging from December 31, 2017 to December 22, 2026. Item 3. Legal Proceedings We are party to various legal proceedings incidental to our business. Certain claims, suits and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against us. Based on facts now known, we believe all such matters are adequately provided for, covered by insurance, are without merit, and/or involve such amounts that would not materially adversely affect our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position. For information on our non-ordinary course legal proceedings, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities PART II Market Information Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “INWK”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market for each of the periods listed. 17 2017 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Holders High Low $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 11.00 11.94 11.92 12.03 8.02 8.87 10.08 10.08 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 9.08 9.55 10.08 9.81 6.06 7.59 8.08 8.07 As of March 16, 2018, there were 26 holders of record of our common stock, which does not include stockholders who held their shares through brokers or other nominees in "street name." The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Dividends We currently do not and do not intend to pay any dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. Any determination in the future to pay dividends will depend upon our financial condition, capital requirements, operating results and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors, including any contractual or statutory restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities None. Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities On February 12, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program providing us authorization to repurchase up to an aggregate of $20.0 million of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions over a two-year period. On November 2, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a two-year extension to the share repurchase program through February 28, 2019. Additionally, on May 4, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $30.0 million of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions over a two-year period ending May 31, 2019. The timing and amount of any share repurchases will be determined based on market conditions, share price and other factors, and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. Repurchases will be made in compliance with SEC rules and other legal requirements. As of December 31, 2017, an aggregate of $34.1 million remained available for repurchase under these repurchase authorizations. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 1,121,928 shares of the Company's common stock for $11.0 million in the aggregate at an average cost of $9.78 per share under its repurchase program. An additional 183,529 shares of its common stock were withheld to satisfy the mandatory tax withholding requirements upon vesting of restricted stock for $1.9 million at an average cost of $10.57 per share. The following table provides information relating to our purchase of shares of our common stock in the fourth quarter of 2017 (in thousands, except per share amounts): 18 Period 10/1/17-10/31/17 11/1/17-11/30/17 12/1/17-12/31/17 Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1) — $ 4 170 174 $ — 10.32 10.07 10.07 — — 93 93 3,259 3,232 3,402 (1) The share repurchase plan authorized by our Board of Directors allows repurchases of up to $50 million of our common stock. The maximum number of shares that may yet be repurchased under the plan is estimated using the closing share price on the last day of each period presented. Stock Performance Graph The information contained in the following chart is not considered to be “soliciting material,” or “filed,” or incorporated by reference in any past or future filing by the Company under the Securities Act or Exchange Act unless and only to the extent that, the Company specifically incorporates it by reference. The following graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2012 in the common stock of the Company and each of the following indices and assumes reinvestment of any dividends. The stock price performance on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. INWK NASDAQ Market Index Dow Jones Business Support Services Index Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2017 $ $ $ 100 100 100 $ $ $ 57 138 133 $ $ $ 57 157 137 $ $ $ 54 166 150 $ $ $ 71 178 169 $ $ $ 73 229 212 19 Item 6. Selected Financial Data The following table presents selected consolidated financial and other data as of and for the periods indicated. You should read the following information together with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Consolidated statements of operations data: Revenue Cost of goods sold Gross profit Selling, general and administrative expenses Depreciation and amortization Change in fair value of contingent consideration Goodwill impairment charge Intangible asset impairment charges Restructuring charges Income (loss) from operations Interest income Interest expense Other, net Total other expense Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Net income (loss) Net income (loss) per share of common stock: Basic Diluted Shares used in per share calculations: Basic Diluted Consolidated balance sheet data: Cash and cash equivalents Working capital(1) Total assets Revolving credit facility(2) Total stockholders’ equity Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts) $ 1,136,256 $ 1,090,704 $ 1,029,353 $ 1,000,133 $ 890,960 857,921 278,335 225,738 13,390 677 — — — 38,530 97 (4,729) (1,788) (6,420) 32,110 13,131 18,979 0.35 0.35 $ $ $ 827,156 263,548 209,967 17,916 10,417 — 70 5,615 19,563 86 (4,171) (153) (4,238) 15,325 10,955 4,370 0.08 0.08 $ $ $ 789,159 240,194 197,291 17,472 770,674 229,459 196,190 17,723 (270) (37,873) 37,539 202 1,053 — 2,710 — (13,093) 50,708 69 (4,612) (3,135) (7,678) (20,771) 12,292 57 (4,428) (747) (5,118) 45,590 1,855 $ $ $ (33,063) $ 43,735 (0.63) $ (0.63) $ 0.84 0.82 $ $ $ 688,934 202,026 183,600 13,664 (31,331) 37,908 — 4,322 (6,137) 76 (2,954) (357) (3,235) (9,372) (612) (8,760) (0.17) (0.17) 53,851 54,944 53,607 54,460 52,791 52,791 52,096 53,104 50,875 50,875 $ 30,562 $ 30,924 $ 30,755 $ 22,578 $ 140,297 640,019 128,398 289,559 104,371 590,999 107,468 264,626 79,609 608,467 99,258 254,136 89,994 633,249 104,539 292,980 18,606 53,784 616,208 69,000 243,000 (1) Working capital represents accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets, offset by accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities. (2) The Company entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2010, subsequently amended most recently as of February 3, 2017, to fund acquisitions and for general working capital purposes. 20 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, which appear elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. It contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” Overview We are a leading global marketing execution firm for some of the world's most marketing intensive companies, including those in the Fortune 1000. As a comprehensive outsourced global solution, we leverage proprietary technology, an extensive supplier network and deep domain expertise to streamline the creation, production and distribution of marketing and promotional materials, signage and displays, retail experiences, events and promotions and product packaging across every major market worldwide. The items we source generally are procured through the marketing supply chain and we refer to these items collectively as marketing materials. Through our network of more than 8,000 global suppliers, we offer a full range of fulfillment and logistics services that allow us to procure marketing materials of virtually any kind. The breadth of our product offerings and services and the depth of our supplier network enable us to fulfill the marketing materials procurement needs of our clients. Our proprietary software applications and databases create a fully-integrated solution that stores, analyzes and tracks the production capabilities of our supplier network, as well as detailed pricing data. As a result, we believe we have one of the largest independent repositories of supplier capabilities and pricing data for suppliers of marketing materials around the world. Our technology and databases of product and supplier information are designed to capitalize on excess manufacturing capacity and other inefficiencies in the traditional marketing materials supply chain to obtain favorable pricing while delivering high-quality products and services for our clients. We use our supplier capability and pricing data to match orders with suppliers that are optimally suited to meet the client's needs at a highly competitive price. By leveraging our technology and data, our clients are able to reduce overhead costs, redeploy internal resources and obtain favorable pricing and service terms. In addition, our ability to track individual transactions and provide customized reports detailing procurement activity on an enterprise-wide basis provides our clients with greater visibility and control of their marketing materials expenditures. We generate revenue by procuring and purchasing marketing materials from our suppliers and selling those products to our clients. We procure products for clients across a wide range of industries, such as retail, financial services, hospitality, consumer packaged goods, non-profits, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable and transportation. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 2,000 employees and independent contractors in more than 26 countries. Effective with the first fiscal quarter of 2016, we organized our operations into two operating segments based on geographic regions: North America and International. The North America segment includes operations in the United States and Canada; the International segment includes operations in Mexico, South America, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 2017, we generated global revenue from third parties of $776.4 million in the North America segment and $359.9 million in the International Segment. We believe the opportunity exists to expand our business into new geographic markets. Our objective is to continue to increase our sales in the United States and internationally by adding new clients and increasing our sales to existing clients through additional marketing execution services or geographic markets. We intend to hire or acquire more account executives within close proximity to these large markets. Revenue We generate revenue through the procurement of marketing materials for our clients. Our annual revenue was $1,136.3 million, $1,090.7 million and $1,029.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, reflecting growth rates of 4.2% and 6.0% in 2017 and 2016, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year. Our revenue consists of the prices paid to us by our clients for marketing materials. These prices, in turn, reflect the amounts charged to us by our suppliers plus our gross profit. Our gross profit margin may be fixed by contract or may depend on prices negotiated on a job-by-job basis. Once the client accepts our pricing terms, the selling price is established and we procure the product for our own account in order to re-sell it to the client. We generally take full title and risk of loss for the product upon 21 shipment. The finished product is typically shipped directly from our supplier to a destination specified by our client. Upon shipment, our supplier invoices us for its production costs and we invoice our client. Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of the price at which we purchase products from our suppliers. Our selling price, including our gross profit, may be established by contract based on a fixed gross profit as a percentage of revenue, which we refer to as gross margin, or may be determined at the discretion of the account executive or production manager within predetermined parameters. Our gross profit for years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $278.3 million, $263.5 million and $240.2 million or 24.5%, 24.2% and 23.3% of revenue, respectively. Operating Expenses and Income (Loss) from Operations Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist of commissions paid to our account executives, compensation costs for our management team and production managers as well as compensation costs for our finance and support employees, public company expenses and corporate systems, legal and accounting, facilities and travel and entertainment expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 19.9%, 19.3% and 19.2% in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We accrue for commissions when we recognize the related revenue and gross profit. Some of our account executives receive a monthly draw to provide them with a more consistent income stream. The cash paid to our account executives in advance of commissions earned is reflected as a prepaid expense on our balance sheet. As our account executives earn commissions, a portion of their commission payment is withheld and offset against their prepaid commission balance, if any. Our prepaid commission balance, net of accrued earned commissions not yet paid, decreased from $0.5 million as of December 31, 2016 to a net accrued commission amount of $(2.7) million as of December 31, 2017. We agree to provide our clients with marketing materials that conform to the industry standard of a “commercially reasonable quality,” and our suppliers in turn agree to provide us with products of the same quality. In addition, the quotes we execute with our clients include customary industry terms and conditions that limit the amount of our liability for product defects. Product defects have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations to date. We are required to make payment to our suppliers for completed jobs regardless of whether our clients make payment to us. Our bad debt expense was approximately $0.5 million, $2.2 million and $1.9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our income (loss) from operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $38.5 million, $19.6 million and $(13.1) million, respectively. 22 Critical Accounting Policies Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue upon meeting all of the following revenue recognition criteria, which is typically met upon shipment or delivery of our products to customers: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists through customer contracts and orders, (ii) the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, (iii) the sales price charged is fixed or determinable as evidenced by customer contracts and orders and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Unbilled revenue represents shipments or deliveries that have been made to customers for which the related account receivable has not yet been invoiced. In accordance with ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations, we generally report revenue on a gross basis because we are the primary obligor in our arrangements to procure marketing materials and other products for our customers. Under these arrangements, we are responsible for the fulfillment, including the acceptability, of the marketing materials and other products. In addition, we (i) determine which suppliers are included in our network, (ii) have discretion to select from among the suppliers within our network, (iii) are obligated to pay our suppliers regardless of whether we are paid by our customers and (iv) have reasonable latitude to establish exchange price. In some transactions, we also have general inventory risk and are involved in the determination of the nature or characteristics of the marketing materials and products. When we are not the primary obligor, revenues are reported on a net basis. We recognize revenue for creative and other services provided to our customers which may be delivered in conjunction with the procurement of manufactured materials at the time when delivery and customer acceptance occur and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. We recognize revenue for creative and other services provided on a stand-alone basis upon completion of the service. Service revenue has not been material to our overall revenue to date. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management reviews all accounts receivable balances and based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. These estimates of balances that will not be collected are based on historical write offs and recoveries of accounts receivable. The estimates of recovery can change based on actual experience and therefore can affect the level of reserves we place on existing accounts receivable. Fully reserved receivables are reviewed on a monthly basis and uncollectible accounts are written off when all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted. We believe our reserve level is appropriate considering the quality of the portfolio as of December 31, 2017. While credit losses have historically been within expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that our credit loss experience will continue to be consistent with historical experience. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350"), goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Absent any interim indicators of impairment, we test for goodwill impairment the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. Under ASC 350, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the quantitative test is required, in the first step, the fair value for each reporting unit is compared to its book value including goodwill. In the case that the fair value is less than the book value, a second step is performed which compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of goodwill. The fair value for the goodwill is determined based on the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the net fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the book value of the goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment. We performed our impairment test as of October 1, 2017, our measurement date, and concluded there was no impairment in any of our reporting units. We also concluded that no goodwill impairment existed as of December 31, 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we determined that our goodwill was impaired and recorded a non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $37.5 million at the EMEA reporting unit as a result of the test. For additional information related to the goodwill impairment in 2015, see the discussion of our results of operations below. 23 Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's March 12, 2018 earnings release, the Company made an additional currency adjustment to the book value of its goodwill. This resulted in a reduction of goodwill and other comprehensive income of $7.2 million reflected in the fourth quarter of 2017. This adjustment had no impact on the statement of operations or the statement of cash flows. Other Intangible Assets Intangible assets other than goodwill acquired in business combinations are recorded at fair value. We review each business acquisition to identify intangible assets other than goodwill acquired, which include customer lists, non-competition agreements, patents, trade names and trademarks. Our significant acquired intangible assets subject to estimation of fair value primarily include acquired customer lists. For customer list assets, the nature of the customer relationships makes an estimation of the reproduction or replacement costs highly subjective. As there is a specific earnings stream that can be associated exclusively with the customer relationships, we believe that the discounted cash flow method is the most appropriate valuation methodology to determine the fair value of the customer relationships. ASC 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to the estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment when impairment indicators exist. Our intangible assets consist of customer lists, trade names, noncompetion agreements and patents. Our customer lists are being amortized using the economic useful life method over their estimated weighted-average useful lives of approximately 14 years. Our noncompetion agreements, trade names and patents are being amortized on the straight-line basis over their estimated weighted-average useful lives. As of December 31, 2017, the net balance of our intangible assets was $27.6 million. During 2017, the Company did not record any impairment related to these intangible assets. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded a non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge of $0.1 million related to a trade name acquired in a prior year business combination in the International segment. Contingent Purchase Consideration In connection with some of our business acquisitions accounted for under ASC 805, contingent consideration is payable in cash or shares of our common stock upon the achievement of certain performance measures over future periods. For these acquisitions, we have estimated and recorded the fair value of the purchase consideration obligation, whereby fair value is determined based on the present value of the potential contingent purchase price. Changes in estimated fair value of the contingent purchase consideration obligations are recorded in our results from operations. Adjustments to the estimated fair value of the contingent purchase consideration are based on estimates of probability of achievement of earnings targets based on actual results and forecasts of the earnings of the companies acquired. These forecast estimates can change based on macroeconomic conditions as well as the overall success of the business in retaining existing business and gaining new business. As of December 31, 2017, there are no outstanding contingent consideration liabilities. Stock-Based Compensation We account for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Compensation expense is measured by determining the fair value of each award using the Black-Scholes option valuation model for stock options or the closing share price for restricted shares. The fair value is then recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis for the entire award. This valuation model requires assumptions, which impact the assumed fair value, including the expected life of the stock option, the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility of the stock over the expected life and the expected dividend yield. We use historical data to determine these assumptions and if these assumptions change significantly for future grants, share-based compensation expense will fluctuate in future years. Expected term is estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. We believe that historical experience provides the best estimate of future expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on actual U.S. Treasury zero-coupon rates for bonds commensurate with the expected term. The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility of our common stock over a period commensurate with the expected term. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur. We recorded $6.8 million, $5.6 million and $5.9 million in compensation expense related to stock-based compensation, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Income Taxes 24 We operate in numerous states and countries through our various subsidiaries and must allocate our income, expenses and earnings under the various laws and regulations of each of these taxing jurisdictions. Accordingly, our provision for income taxes represents our total estimate of the liability that we have incurred in doing business each year in all of our locations. Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. In determining whether we need to record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, management must make a number of estimates, assumptions and judgments. We establish a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. The determination to record or release valuation allowances requires significant judgment. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"), which amends ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. This ASU amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements, provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting. The new guidance will allow companies to make certain changes to awards without accounting for them as modifications. It does not change the accounting for modifications. The new guidance will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. This new guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. This ASU is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ("ASU 2016-15"), which amends ASC 230, Statement of Cash Flows. This ASU provides guidance on the statement of cash flows presentation of certain transactions where diversity in practice exists. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, ("ASU 2016-09") which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the standard, the income tax effects of awards are required to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, as opposed to in additional paid-in capital under the current guidance. The standard also provides an option to recognize gross share-based compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, which the Company has elected to adopt. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This guidance can be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a modified retrospective transition method. Early adoption is permitted. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company applied a modified retrospective transition method to account for the changes under the standard related to income taxes and the policy election for recording forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted all amendments to the standard at January 1, 2017. The amendments related to the classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows were adopted prospectively and the classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes was adopted retrospectively. The adoption of both resulted in no prior period adjustments. With the adoption of the standards related to eliminating the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before companies can recognize them and election to recognize forfeitures as they occur, the Company elected to use the modified retrospective method which resulted in changes to retained earnings, components of equity and net assets. The net cumulative effect of these changes resulted in a $2.1 million increase to additional paid in capital, a $2.3 million decrease to deferred tax liabilities and a $0.2 million increase to retained earnings. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), ("ASU 2016-02"), which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for most leases in the balance sheet as well as other qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The update 25 is to be applied using a modified retrospective method and is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09"), which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue using a five-step process that supersedes virtually all existing revenue guidance. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. The FASB has issued several amendments to the standard since ASU 2014-09. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective transition method). The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company is finalizing updates to the accounting policies and processes to address the variations from current practices, inclusive of the required additional disclosures in the period subsequent to adoption. Specifically, under the current guidance, the Company defers revenue for inventory billed but not yet shipped. As a result of the adoption of the new guidance, in certain situations the Company may be able to recognize revenue for inventory billed but not yet shipped, which could accelerate the timing, but not the total amount, of revenue recognized and would not impact the timing of cash flows. We are in the process of finalizing the measurement of the cumulative effect of adopting the new guidance. The Company’s analysis of its contracts under the new standard supports two historical conclusions of the Company and its current revenue policy: 1) the Company typically recognizes revenue at a point in time rather than over a period of time and, 2) the Company typically recognizes revenue on a gross basis when the Company is the primary obligor. We plan to issue further disclosures around the adoption of ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers as part of our first quarter 2018 Form 10-Q filing. 26 Results of Operations The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data for the periods presented as a percentage of our revenue: Revenue Cost of goods sold Gross profit Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses Depreciation and amortization Change in fair value of contingent consideration Goodwill impairment charge Intangible asset impairment charges Restructuring charges Income (loss) from operations Other income (expense): Interest income Interest expense Other, net Total other expense Income (loss) before taxes Income tax expense Net income (loss) Year ended December 31, 2016 2015 2017 100.0 % 75.5 % 24.5 % 100.0 % 75.8 % 24.2 % 100.0 % 76.7 % 23.3 % 19.9 % 1.2 % 0.1 % — % — % — % 3.4 % — % (0.4)% (0.2)% (0.6)% 2.8 % 1.2 % 1.7 % 19.3 % 1.6 % 1.0 % — % — % 0.5 % 1.8 % — % (0.4)% — % (0.4)% 1.4 % 1.0 % 0.4 % 19.2 % 1.7 % — % 3.6 % — % 0.1 % (1.3)% — % (0.4)% (0.3)% (0.7)% (2.0)% 1.2 % (3.2)% Comparison of years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 Revenue Our revenue by segment for each of the years presented was as follows (in thousands): North America International Net revenue from third parties Year ended December 31, $ 2017 776,400 359,856 $ 1,136,256 % of Total 2016 734,164 68.3% $ 31.7 356,540 100.0% $ 1,090,704 % of Total 2015 708,532 67.3% $ 32.7 320,821 100.0% $ 1,029,353 % of Total 68.8% 31.2 100.0% 2017 compared to 2016. Our revenue increased by $45.6 million, or 4.2%, from $1,090.7 million in 2016 to $1,136.3 million in 2017. North America North America revenue increased by $42.2 million, or 5.7%, from $734.2 million in 2016 to $776.4 million in 2017. This increase was driven primarily by organic growth from new clients added during the last 12 to 24 months. 27 International International revenue increased by $3.4 million, or 1.0%, from $356.5 million in 2016 to $359.9 million in 2017 primarily due to foreign currency impacts. 2016 compared to 2015. Our revenue increased by $61.4 million, or 6.0%, from $1,029.4 million in 2015 to $1,090.7 million in 2016. North America North America revenue increased by $25.7 million, or 3.6%, from $708.5 million in 2015 to $734.2 million in 2016. This increase is driven primarily by organic new account growth. International International revenue increased by $35.7 million, or 11.1%, from $320.8 million in 2015 to $356.5 million in 2016. This increase is driven primarily by organic new account growth and existing customer growth in the region. Cost of goods sold 2017 compared to 2016. Our cost of goods sold increased by $30.7 million, or 3.7%, from $827.2 million in 2016 to $857.9 million in 2017. The increase is a result of higher revenue in 2017. Our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was 75.5% in 2017 and 75.8% in 2016. 2016 compared to 2015. Our cost of goods sold increased by $38.0 million, or 4.8%, from $789.2 million in 2015 to $827.2 million in 2016. The increase is a result of the revenue growth in 2016. Our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was 75.8% in 2016 and 76.7% in 2015. Gross Profit 2017 compared to 2016. Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue, which we refer to as gross margin, was 24.5% in 2017 and 24.2% in 2016. This increase was primarily driven by favorable product category and geographical mix in 2017 compared to 2016. 2016 compared to 2015. Our gross margin increased from 23.3% in 2015 to 24.2% in 2016. This increase was primarily driven by favorable product category and geographical mix in 2016 compared to 2015. Selling, general and administrative expenses 2017 compared to 2016. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $15.7 million, or 7.5%, from $210.0 million in 2016 to $225.7 million in 2017. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 19.3% in 2016 to 19.9% in 2017. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to cost of production staff to manage new accounts and technology staff to develop our platform. 2016 compared to 2015. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $12.7 million, or 6.4%, from $197.3 million in 2015 to $210.0 million in 2016. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 19.2% in 2015 to 19.3% in 2016. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to incremental sales commission and cost of production staff to manage new accounts. Depreciation and amortization 2017 compared to 2016. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $4.5 million, or 25.1%, from $17.9 million in 2016 to $13.4 million in 2017. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization expense decreased from 1.6% in 2016 to 1.2% in 2017. The decrease in depreciation and amortization was primarily driven by the full year impact of the asset useful life reduction made in 2016. In accordance with the Company’s fixed asset policy, the Company reviews the estimated useful lives of all its fixed assets, including software assets at least once a year or when there are indicators that a useful life has changed. The review during the fourth quarter of 2016 indicated that the estimated useful lives of certain proprietary software were longer than the previously 28 estimated useful lives. As a result, effective October 1, 2016, the Company changed the estimated useful lives of a portion of its software assets. The estimated useful lives of such assets were increased by an average of approximately 4.5 years. These assets had a net book value of $20.8 million as of October 1, 2016. The effect of this change in estimate resulted in a reduction of depreciation expense by $1.4 million, increase in net income by $0.8 million and increase in basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.015 for the year ended December 31, 2016. 2016 compared to 2015. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $0.4 million or 2.5%, from $17.5 million in 2015 to $17.9 million in 2016. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization expense decreased from 1.7% in 2015 to 1.6% in 2016. This decrease is primarily driven by customer list amortization which is amortized based on expected cash flows which generally declines over the life of the asset. Change in fair value of contingent consideration 2017 compared to 2016. Expense from the change in fair value of contingent consideration decreased by $9.7 million from $10.4 million in 2016 to $0.7 million in 2017. The change in the fair value of the contingent liability during 2017 is driven by the final adjustment of the DB Studios liability during the first quarter of 2017 and the final adjustment of the EYELEVEL liability during the second and third quarters of 2017. 2016 compared to 2015. Expense from the change in fair value of contingent consideration increased by $10.7 million from income of $0.3 million in 2015 to expense of $10.4 million in 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to adjustments made to the contingent consideration liabilities related to the Company's EYELEVEL acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company's fair value adjustment to the contingent consideration liability included an adjustment of $10.7 million of expense to increase the liability relating to the EYELEVEL acquisition due to strong financial performance in recent periods and an improvement in forecasted results. This improved performance was primarily driven by significant expansion within EYELEVEL's existing customer base during 2016. There was also a decrease in the fair value of all other earn-out agreements of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Goodwill impairment charge During the year ended December 31, 2015 we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $37.5 million. No impairment charges were taken for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. 2015 Goodwill Impairment Charge We performed our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2015. In the first step of the impairment test, we concluded that the carrying amount of the EMEA reporting unit exceeded its fair value, requiring us to perform the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The fair values of the North America and Latin America reporting units exceeded their carrying values and the second step was not necessary. Based upon fair value estimates of long-lived assets and discounted cash flows of the EMEA reporting unit, we compared the implied fair value of the goodwill in this reporting unit with the carrying value. The test resulted in a $37.5 million non-cash, goodwill impairment charge which was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2015. No tax benefit was recognized on the goodwill impairment. This charge had no impact on our cash flows or compliance with debt covenants. Intangible asset impairment charges The Company did not record any intangible asset impairment charges in 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized a $0.1 million non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge related to a trade name acquired in a prior year business combination within our International segment. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we recognized a $0.2 million non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge related to certain customer lists acquired in prior year business combinations within the EMEA segment, now part of the international reportable segment. Due to the loss of specific customers included in the lists, the undiscounted projected cash flows from those customers did not exceed the recorded book value of the customer lists as of December 31, 2015. Restructuring charges The Company did not record any restructuring charges in December 31, 2017. 29 During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized $5.6 million in restructuring charges related to the global realignment plan described below, of which $0.5 million, $3.9 million and $1.2 million related to the North America, International and Other segments, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2015, management approved a global realignment plan that allowed the Company to more efficiently meet client needs across its international platform. Through improved integration of global resources, the plan created back office and other efficiencies and allowed for the elimination of approximately 100 positions deemed unnecessary. In connection with these actions, the Company incurred total pre-tax cash restructuring charges of $6.7 million between 2015 and 2016. Income (loss) from operations 2017 compared to 2016. Income from operations increased by $18.9 million from $19.6 million in 2016 to $38.5 million in 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in gross profit and a decrease in expense from the change in fair value of contingent consideration and restructuring charges, which are discussed above. 2016 compared to 2015. Income (loss) from operations increased by $32.7 million, from $(13.1) million in 2015 to $19.6 million in 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in gross profit, as well as the goodwill impairment charge recognized in 2015, all of which are discussed above. Other income and expense 2017 compared to 2016. Other expense increased by $2.2 million, from $4.2 million in 2016 to $6.4 million in 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to foreign exchange losses in our International operations. 2016 compared to 2015. Other expense decreased by $3.5 million, from $7.7 million in 2015 to $4.2 million in 2016. This decrease was primarily attributable to the $1.5 million remeasurement of Company's net assets in Venezuela in 2015. Provision for income taxes 2017 compared to 2016. Income tax expense increased by $2.1 million from tax expense of $11.0 million in 2016 to tax expense of $13.1 million in 2017. Our effective income tax rate was 40.9% and 71.5% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, state and local taxes, valuation allowances, discrete tax events and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can be impacted each period by discrete factors and events. The effective tax rate for 2016 was affected by the fair value changes to contingent consideration and the goodwill impairment charge. Portions of the total gain recognized from fair value changes to contingent consideration relate to non-taxable acquisitions for which deferred taxes are not recognized, consistent with the treatment of goodwill and intangible assets for those acquisitions under U.S. GAAP. For the year ended and December 31, 2016, $10.4 million was recognized as expense from changes to contingent consideration which did not result in recognition of a deferred tax liability, therefore, reducing the effective tax rate for these periods. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized a $1.2 million non-cash charge to record valuation allowances on deferred tax assets of certain foreign operations affected by the global realignment which have net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets for which it is considered more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive Federal tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”). The Act makes changes to the corporate tax rate, business-related deductions and taxation of foreign earnings, among others, that will generally be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. As of the date of enactment, we have adjusted our deferred tax assets and liabilities for our new statutory rate which resulted in a $5.4 million credit to our income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, we have estimated and recorded a provisional expense of $5.3 million for transition tax related to our foreign operations. We continue to evaluate the impacts of the Act and will consider additional guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department, IRS or other standard-setting bodies. Further adjustments, if any, will be recorded by us during the measurement period in 2018 as permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We operate under a grant of income tax exemption in Puerto Rico, that became effective for certain operations occurring during the period ending December 31, 2017 and should remain in effect for 20 years as long as specific requirements are satisfied. 30 The impact of this income tax exemption grant decreased foreign taxes by $0.4 million for 2017. The benefit of the tax exemption on diluted earnings per share was less than $0.01. 2016 compared to 2015. Income tax expense decreased by $1.3 million from tax expense of $12.3 million in 2015 to tax expense of $11.0 million in 2016. Our effective income tax rate was 71.5% and (59.2)% in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, state and local taxes, valuation allowances, discrete tax events and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can be impacted each period by discrete factors and events. The effective tax rates for 2016 and 2015 were affected by the fair value changes to contingent consideration and the goodwill impairment charge. Portions of the total gain recognized from fair value changes to contingent consideration relate to non-taxable acquisitions for which deferred taxes are not recognized, consistent with the treatment of goodwill and intangible assets for those acquisitions under U.S. GAAP. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 $10.4 million and $(0.3) million, respectively, was recognized as expense (income) from changes to contingent consideration which did not result in recognition of a deferred tax liability, therefore, reducing the effective tax rate for these periods. This decrease was offset by a $37.5 million goodwill impairment charge in 2015 since the goodwill was not deductible and the impairment does not result in a tax benefit. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2015, we recognized a $4.7 million non-cash charge to record valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of certain foreign operations affected by the global realignment which have net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets for which it is considered more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. During 2016 we recognized an additional $1.2 million non-cash charge related to changes in the valuation allowances against those net operating loss carryforwards affected by the realignment. Excluding the impact of these and other discrete factors and events, our effective tax rate was 33.5% and 40.5% during 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net income (loss) 2017 compared to 2016. Net income increased by $14.6 million from $4.4 million in 2016 to $19.0 million in 2017. Net income as a percentage of revenue was 1.7% and 0.4% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. 2016 compared to 2015. Net income (loss) increased by $37.5 million from $(33.1) million in 2015 to $4.4 million in 2016. Net income (loss) as a percentage of revenue was 0.4% and (3.2)% in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (in thousands, except per share data) Net income Denominator for dilutive earnings per share Diluted earnings per share Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ $ 18,979 54,944 0.35 $ $ 4,370 54,460 0.08 $ $ (33,063) 52,791 (0.63) 2017 compared to 2016. Diluted earnings per share increased by $0.27 from diluted earnings per share of $0.08 in 2016 to diluted earnings per share of $0.35 in 2017. This increase is primarily due to the increase in net income discussed above. 2016 compared to 2015. Diluted earnings (loss) per share increased by $0.71 from a diluted loss of $0.63 per share in 2015 to diluted earnings per share of $0.08 in 2016. This increase is primarily due to the increase in net income discussed above. 31 Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA, which represents income from operations with the addition of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, change in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and other amounts itemized in the reconciliation table below, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under SEC regulations. Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We present this measure as supplemental information to help our investors better understand trends in our business over time. Our management team uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our business. Adjusted EBITDA is not equivalent to any measure of performance required to be reported under GAAP, nor should this data be considered an indicator of our overall financial performance and liquidity. Moreover, the Adjusted EBITDA definition we use may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Our Adjusted EBITDA by segment for each of the years presented was as follows: North America International Other(1) Adjusted EBITDA Year ended December 31, 2017 % of Total 2016 % of Total (dollars in thousands) 2015 % of Total $ $ 78,079 20,063 (35,867) 62,275 125.4% $ 32.2 (57.6) 100.0% $ 67,969 22,576 (31,392) 59,153 114.9% $ 38.2 (53.1) 100.0% $ 63,744 14,936 (27,881) 50,799 125.5% 29.4 (54.8) 100.0% (1) “Other” consists of intersegment eliminations, shared service activities and corporate expenses which are not allocated to the operating segments as management does not consider them in evaluating segment performance. 2017 compared to 2016. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $3.1 million, or 5.3%, from $59.2 million in 2016 to $62.3 million in 2017. North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $10.1 million, or 14.9%, from $68.0 million in 2016 to $78.1 million in 2017 due to increased revenue and gross profit from organic growth of new customers. International Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.5 million, or 11.1%, from $22.6 million in 2016 to $20.1 million in 2017 primarily due to cost of production staffing to manage new accounts. Other Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $4.5 million or 14.3%, from $(31.4) million in 2016 to $(35.9) million in 2017 driven by platform investments, mainly staffing costs. 2016 compared to 2015. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $8.4 million or 16.4%, from $50.8 million in 2015 to $59.2 million in 2016. North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $4.3 million or 6.7%, from $63.7 million in 2015 to $68.0 million in 2016 due to increased gross profit from organic new account growth. International Adjusted EBITDA increased by $7.7 million or 51.2%, from $14.9 million in 2015 to $22.6 million in 2016 due to new account growth and Global Realignment related cost savings. Other Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $3.5 million or 12.6%, from expense of $27.9 million in 2015 to expense of $31.4 million in 2016. 32 The table below provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for each of the years presented (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2016 2015 2017 Net income (loss) Income tax expense Total other expense Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation expense Change in fair value of contingent consideration Goodwill impairment charge Intangible asset impairment charges Restructuring and other charges Business development realignment Professional fees related to ASC 606 implementation CEO search costs Czech currency impact on procurement margin Secured asset reserve(1) Adjusted EBITDA $ $ 18,979 13,131 6,420 13,390 6,820 677 — — — 715 829 454 860 — 62,275 $ $ 4,370 10,955 4,238 17,916 5,572 10,417 — 70 5,615 — — — — — 59,153 $ $ (33,063) 12,292 7,678 17,472 5,873 (270) 37,539 202 1,053 — — — — 2,023 50,799 (1) The Company accrued a reserve of $2.0 million in 2015 on inventory in which it holds a security interest. The inventory was procured for a former client. 33 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Adjusted diluted earnings per share, which represents net income (loss), with the addition of the change in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities, impairment charges and other amounts itemized in the reconciliation table below, divided by the weighted average shares outstanding plus share equivalents that would arise from the exercise of stock options and restricted stock and other contingently issuable shares, is considered a non-U.S.GAAP financial measure under SEC regulations. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We present this measure as supplemental information to help our investors better understand trends in our business over time. Our management team uses adjusted diluted earnings per share to evaluate the performance of our business. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is not equivalent to any measure of performance required to be reported under GAAP, nor should this data be considered an indicator of our overall financial performance and liquidity. Moreover, the adjusted diluted earnings per share definition we use may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Our adjusted diluted earnings per share for each of the years presented was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2017 2015 (33,063) (282) 37,539 153 873 4,685 — — — — — — 1,239 1,521 12,665 53,515 0.24 Net income (loss) Change in fair value of contingent consideration, net of tax Goodwill impairment charge, net of tax Intangible asset impairment charges, net of tax Restructuring and other charges, net of tax Realignment-related income tax charges Czech exit from exchange rate commitment, net of tax Business development realignment, net of tax Professional fees related to ASC 606 implementation, net of tax CEO search costs, net of tax Czech currency impact on procurement margin, net of tax Accelerated depreciation of internal use software, net of tax Secured asset reserve, net of tax Venezuela remeasurement charges Adjusted net income Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share $ $ 18,979 677 — — — — 294 875 528 282 697 246 — — 22,578 54,944 0.41 $ $ 4,370 10,417 — 56 4,873 1,179 — — — — — — — — 20,895 54,460 0.38 $ $ 34 Quarterly Results of Operations The following table presents unaudited statement of income data for our most recent eight fiscal quarters. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations of any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. Three months ended Mar 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 Sept 30, 2016 Dec 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 Sept 30, 2017 Dec 31, 2017 (in thousands, except per share amounts) $ 271,073 $ 269,220 $ 279,993 $ 270,418 $ 267,390 $ 279,530 $ 288,386 $ 300,950 61,946 (2,693) 65,094 (2,324) 67,781 4,341 68,727 5,047 64,277 5,456 70,227 4,493 72,519 7,528 71,311 1,499 Revenue Gross profit Net income (loss) Earnings (loss) per share: Basic Diluted $ $ (0.05) $ (0.04) $ (0.05) $ (0.04) $ 0.08 0.08 $ $ 0.09 0.09 $ $ 0.10 0.10 $ $ 0.08 0.08 $ $ 0.14 0.14 $ $ 0.03 0.03 Impact of Inflation Since January 1, 2010, Venezuela has been designated as a highly inflationary economy under U.S. GAAP. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, local subsidiaries in highly inflationary economies are required to use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency and remeasure the monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in U.S. dollars using the rate applicable to conversion of a currency for purposes of dividend remittances. All exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are recognized currently in income. Prior to December 31, 2015, the Company translated the net assets and transactions of its Venezuelan subsidiary using the official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. In February 2015, the Venezuelan government introduced a new currency exchange system referred to as the SIMADI which is intended to be a market-driven rate and is more widely available than the official rate or the auction-based exchange system known as the SICAD. Based on the Company’s facts and circumstances as of December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was determined to be the most appropriate rate for reporting the operations of the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary. As of December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was approximately 198 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. The remeasurement of the Company’s net assets from the official rate of 6.3 to the SIMADI rate resulted in a foreign exchange loss of approximately $1.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2015. This loss is included in other expense on the consolidated statement of operations. The combined value of the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary is less than $0.1 million at December 31, 2015. Further government regulation or changes in exchange rates could result in additional impairments of these assets. Inflation did not have a material impact on our operations in 2017 or 2016. Liquidity and Capital Resources We entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2010, subsequently amended most recently as of February 3, 2017, among us, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement includes a revolving commitment amount of $175 million in the aggregate with a maturity date of September 25, 2019 and provides us the right to increase the aggregate commitment amount by an additional $50 million. Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by our material domestic subsidiaries. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement and such domestic subsidiaries’ guaranty obligations are secured by substantially all of our respective assets. The ranges of applicable rates charged for interest on outstanding loans and letters of credit are 125-250 basis point spread for letter of credit fees and loans based on the Eurodollar rate and 25-150 basis point spread for loans based on the base rate. We are in compliance with all covenants contained in the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, we had $30.6 million of cash and cash equivalents. 35 Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities primarily consists of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, share based compensation, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and the effect of changes in working capital and other activities. Cash provided by operating activities in 2017 was $16.1 million and primarily consisted of $25.3 million of non-cash items and $19.0 million of net income during the year, offset by $28.1 million used to fund working capital. The working capital changes consisted of an increase in accounts receivable of $41.0 million, an increase in inventories of $3.2 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $9.0 million, offset by an increase in accounts payable of $13.3 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $11.7 million. Cash provided by operating activities in 2016 was $10.5 million and primarily consisted of $36.4 million of non-cash items and $4.4 million of net income during the year, offset by $30.3 million used to fund working capital. The working capital changes consisted of a decrease in accounts payable of $49.0 million, offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $1.8 million, a decrease in inventories of $1.7 million, a decrease in prepaid expense and other assets of $2.4 million, and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $12.8 million. Cash provided by operating activities in 2015 was $43.4 million and primarily consisted of $3.6 million provided by working capital changes and $72.8 million of non cash items, offset by net loss of $33.1 million during the year. The most significant impact on working capital changes consisted of a increase in accounts payable of $26.2 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $2.1 million, offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $10.4 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $6.1 million, and an increase in inventory of $8.2 million. Investing Activities. In 2017, cash used in investing activities of $12.5 million was attributable to capital expenditures, primarily consisting of software development. In 2016, cash used in investing activities of $13.3 million was attributable to capital expenditures, primarily consisting of software development. In 2015, cash used in investing activities of $15.0 million was attributable to capital expenditures, primarily consisting of software development. Financing Activities. In 2017, cash used in financing activities of $5.0 million was primarily attributable to $15.3 million of payments of contingent consideration, $11.0 million to acquire treasury stock, offset by $20.7 million of net borrowings under our revolving credit facility. In 2016, cash provided financing activities of $3.6 million was primarily attributable to $8.7 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $4.0 million of excess tax benefits from exercise of stock awards, offset by $11.4 million of payments of contingent consideration. In 2015, cash provided by financing activities of $18.4 million was primarily attributable to $8.0 million of payments of contingent consideration, $5.3 million of net borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $4.9 million to acquire treasury stock. We will continue to utilize cash, in part, to invest in our innovative technology platform, fund acquisitions of or make strategic investments in complementary businesses and expand our sales force. Although we can provide no assurances, we believe that our available cash and cash equivalents and the $45.5 million available under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet our working capital and operating expenditure requirements for the next 12 months. We may find it necessary to obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future. We earn a significant amount of our operating income outside the United States, which is deemed to be permanently reinvested in foreign jurisdictions. We do not currently foresee a need to repatriate funds; however, should we require more capital in the United States than is generated by our operations locally or through debt or equity issuances, we could elect to repatriate funds held in foreign jurisdictions. Included in our cash and cash equivalents are amounts held by foreign subsidiaries. We had $27.9 million and $27.8 million foreign cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which are generally denominated in the local currency where the funds are held. 36 Contractual Obligations As of December 31, 2017, we had the following contractual obligations: Payments due by period Total Less than 1 year $ $ 134,609 23,215 128,398 286,222 $ $ 134,609 6,942 — 141,551 1-3 years (in thousands) $ — $ 9,633 128,398 138,031 $ $ 3-5 years More than 5 years — $ 4,560 — 4,560 $ — 2,080 — 2,080 Accounts payable Operating lease obligations Revolving credit facility Total Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Commodity Risk We are dependent upon the availability of paper and paper prices represent a substantial portion of the cost of our products. The supply and price of paper depend on a variety of factors over which we have no control, including environmental and conservation regulations, natural disasters and weather. We believe a 10% increase in the price of paper would not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of income or cash flows, as these costs are generally passed through to our clients. Interest Rate Risk We have exposure to changes in interest rates on our revolving credit facility. Interest is payable at the adjusted LIBOR rate or the alternate base rate. Assuming our $175.0 million revolving credit facility was fully drawn, a 1.0% increase in the interest rate would increase our annual interest expense by $1.75 million. Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates, in particular because all of our investments are considered cash equivalents. The average duration of all of our investments as of December 31, 2017, was less than one year. Due to the short-term nature of our investments, we believe that there is no material risk exposure. Foreign Currency Risk We transact business in various foreign currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the Euro, British pound sterling, Czech Koruna, Peruvian Nuevo Sol, Colombian peso, Brazilian real, Mexican peso and Chilean peso, which exposes us to foreign currency risk. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we derived approximately 31.7% of our revenue from international customers and we expect the percentage of revenue derived from outside the United States to increase in future periods as we continue to expand globally. Revenue and related expenses generated from our international operations are denominated in the functional currencies of the corresponding country. The functional currency of our subsidiaries that either operate or support these markets is generally the same as the corresponding local currency. The results of operations of and certain of our intercompany balances associated with, our international operations are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Changes in exchange rates could negatively affect our revenue and other operating results as expressed in U.S. dollars. We may record significant gains or losses on the re-measurement of intercompany balances. Foreign exchange gains and losses recorded to date have been immaterial to our financial results. At this time we do not, but in the future we may enter into derivatives or other financial instruments in an attempt to hedge our foreign currency exchange risk. It is difficult to predict the impact hedging activities would have on our results of operations. 37 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE INNERWORKINGS, INC.: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Consolidated Statements of Operations Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 39 40 42 43 44 45 46 47 38 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of InnerWorkings, Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated, financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control- Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated March 16, 2018 expressed an adverse opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005. Chicago, Illinois March 16, 2018 39 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting To the Shareholder and Board of Directors of InnerWorkings, Inc. Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited InnerWorkings, Inc.’s and subsidiaries (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses described below on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management’s assessment. Management has identified a material weakness in controls related to the company’s revenue accounting process, including the related impact on unbilled revenue, cost of goods sold and inventory. Management also identified a material weakness related to the design and operating effectiveness of the review controls over compensation. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2017 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 16, 2018 which expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 40 Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Chicago, Illinois March 16, 2018 41 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data) Revenue Cost of goods sold Gross profit Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses Depreciation and amortization Change in fair value of contingent consideration Goodwill impairment charge Intangible asset impairment charges Restructuring charges Income (loss) from operations Other income (expense): Interest income Interest expense Other, net Total other expense Income (loss) before taxes Income tax expense Net income (loss) Basic earnings (loss) per share Diluted earnings (loss) per share Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ 1,136,256 $ 1,090,704 $ 1,029,353 857,921 278,335 225,738 13,390 677 — — — 38,530 97 (4,729) (1,788) (6,420) 32,110 13,131 18,979 0.35 0.35 $ $ $ 827,156 263,548 209,967 17,916 10,417 — 70 5,615 19,563 86 (4,171) (153) (4,238) 15,325 10,955 4,370 0.08 0.08 $ $ $ 789,159 240,194 197,291 17,472 (270) 37,539 202 1,053 (13,093) 69 (4,612) (3,135) (7,678) (20,771) 12,292 (33,063) (0.63) (0.63) $ $ $ See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 42 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax Income tax expense (benefit) related to components of other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Comprehensive income (loss) Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ 18,979 $ 4,370 $ (33,063) 1,732 1,732 13 1,719 $ 20,697 $ (7,168) (7,168) (362) (6,806) (2,436) $ (8,592) (8,592) — (8,592) (41,655) See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 43 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except per share data) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,534 and $2,622, respectively Unbilled revenue Inventories Prepaid expenses Other current assets Total current assets Property and equipment, net Intangibles and other assets: Goodwill Intangible assets, net Deferred income taxes Other non-current assets Total intangibles and other assets Total assets Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable Current portion of contingent consideration Other current liabilities Accrued expenses Total current liabilities Revolving credit facility Deferred income taxes Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies (See Note 9) Stockholders' equity: Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 200,000 and 200,000 shares authorized, 64,075 and 63,391 shares issued, 54,055 and 54,088 shares outstanding, respectively Additional paid-in capital Treasury stock at cost, 10,020 and 9,303 shares, respectively Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 44 December 31, 2017 2016 $ $ $ 30,562 206,712 49,389 34,807 19,638 32,694 373,802 36,714 199,946 27,563 612 1,382 229,503 640,019 134,609 — 34,641 33,694 202,943 128,398 12,348 6,771 350,461 30,924 182,874 32,723 31,638 18,772 24,769 321,700 32,656 202,700 31,538 1,031 1,374 236,643 590,999 121,289 19,283 35,049 30,067 205,688 107,468 11,291 1,926 326,373 6 235,199 (55,873) (19,079) 129,305 289,559 640,019 $ 6 224,480 (49,458) (20,799) 110,397 264,626 590,999 $ $ $ $ 0 8 9 , 2 9 2 $ 2 4 9 , 0 4 1 $ ) 1 0 4 , 5 ( $ 9 2 4 , 7 0 2 $ ) 6 9 9 , 9 4 ( $ 1 2 0 , 9 6 $ 2 5 8 , 1 6 l a t o T d e n i a t e R i s g n n r a E d e t a l u m u c c A r e h t O e v i s n e h e r p m o C ) s s o L ( e m o c n I l a n o i t i d d A - n i - d i a P l a t i p a C t n u o m A s e r a h S t n u o m A s e r a h S k c o t S y r u s a e r T k c o t S n o m m o C s e i r a i d i s b u s d n a . c n I , s g n i k r o W r e n n I y t i u q E ' s r e d l o h k c o t S f o s t n e m e t a t S d e t a d i l o s n o C ) s d n a s u o h t n I ( ) 3 6 0 , 3 3 ( ) 2 9 5 , 8 ( ) 5 5 6 , 1 4 ( 5 7 6 1 7 5 , 1 ) 7 9 8 , 4 ( ) 1 1 4 ( 3 7 8 , 5 ) 5 1 1 , 1 ( ) 3 6 0 , 3 3 ( ) 2 9 5 , 8 ( 5 7 6 ) 1 1 4 ( 3 7 8 , 5 6 8 6 , 2 ) 7 9 8 , 4 ( ) 8 3 2 ( 4 6 7 6 3 1 , 4 5 2 4 6 7 , 6 0 1 ) 3 9 9 , 3 1 ( 6 6 5 , 3 1 2 ) 7 0 2 , 2 5 ( 7 4 5 , 9 6 5 4 6 , 2 6 0 7 3 , 4 ) 6 0 8 , 6 ( ) 6 3 4 , 2 ( 0 7 7 , 1 2 1 0 , 2 2 7 5 , 3 2 7 5 , 5 0 7 3 , 4 ) 7 3 7 ( ) 6 0 8 , 6 ( 0 7 7 , 1 2 7 5 , 3 2 7 5 , 5 9 7 9 , 8 1 9 1 7 , 1 7 9 6 , 0 2 1 2 4 , 1 8 7 6 , 4 ) 6 7 9 , 0 1 ( 0 2 8 , 6 1 9 2 , 2 ) 9 6 2 ( 8 9 1 9 7 9 , 8 1 9 1 7 , 1 1 2 4 , 1 5 8 3 0 2 8 , 6 3 9 0 , 2 6 2 6 , 4 6 2 7 9 3 , 0 1 1 ) 9 9 7 , 0 2 ( 0 8 4 , 4 2 2 ) 8 5 4 , 9 4 ( 3 0 3 , 9 6 1 9 3 , 3 6 9 4 7 , 2 ) 4 4 2 ( — 6 4 7 s d r a w a k c o t s f o e s i c r e x e n o p u k c o t s n o m m o c f o e c n a u s s I n o i t a r e d i s n o c s a s e r a h s y r u s a e r t d n a k c o t s n o m m o c f o e c n a u s s I n o i t i s i u q c a r o f s e s i c r e x e d r a w a k c o t s m o r f d e v i r e d t i f e n e b x a t s s e c x E 9 5 5 , 9 8 2 $ 5 0 3 , 9 2 1 $ ) 9 7 0 , 9 1 ( $ 9 9 1 , 5 3 2 $ ) 3 7 8 , 5 5 ( $ 0 2 0 , 0 1 6 $ 5 7 0 , 4 6 7 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D t a e c n a l a B . s t n e m e t a t s l a i c n a n i f d e t a d i l o s n o c e h t o t s e t o n g n i y n a p m o c c a e e S 5 4 1 6 5 , 4 ) 6 7 9 , 0 1 ( ) 5 0 4 ( 2 2 1 , 1 — — 8 4 6 6 3 n o i t a r e d i s n o c s a s e r a h s y r u s a e r t d n a k c o t s n o m m o c f o e c n a u s s I s d r a w a k c o t s f o e s i c r e x e n o p u k c o t s n o m m o c f o e c n a u s s I e s n e p x e n o i t a s n e p m o c d e s a b - k c o t S s e r a h s y r u s a e r t f o n o i t i s i u q c A n o i t i s i u q c a r o f 9 0 - 6 1 0 2 U S A f o n o i t p o d a o t d e t a l e r e g n a h c f o t c e f f e e v i t a l u m u C — 3 9 7 s d r a w a k c o t s f o e s i c r e x e n o p u k c o t s n o m m o c f o e c n a u s s I n o i t a r e d i s n o c s a s e r a h s y r u s a e r t d n a k c o t s n o m m o c f o e c n a u s s I s e s i c r e x e d r a w a k c o t s m o r f d e v i r e d t i f e n e b x a t s s e c x E e s n e p x e n o i t a s n e p m o c d e s a b - k c o t S s e r a h s y r u s a e r t f o n o i t i s i u q c A n o i t i s i u q c a r o f 5 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D t a e c n a l a B s s o l e v i s n e h e r p m o c r e h t o l a t o T s s o l e v i s n e h e r p m o C e m o c n i t e N 4 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D t a e c n a l a B s s o l e v i s n e h e r p m o c r e h t o l a t o T s s o l e v i s n e h e r p m o C s s o l t e N e s n e p x e n o i t a s n e p m o c d e s a b - k c o t S 6 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D t a e c n a l a B e m o c n i e v i s n e h e r p m o c r e h t o l a t o T e m o c n i e v i s n e h e r p m o C e m o c n i t e N InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation expense Deferred income taxes Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability Goodwill impairment charge Intangible asset impairment charges Bad debt provision Secured asset reserve Venezuela remeasurement charges Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock awards Other operating activities Change in assets, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Change in liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts payable Accrued expenses and other liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property and equipment Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Net borrowing (repayments) of revolving credit facility Net short-term secured borrowings (repayments) Repurchases of common stock Payments of contingent consideration Proceeds from exercise of stock options Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock awards Other financing activities Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ 18,979 $ 4,370 $ (33,063) 13,390 6,820 3,744 677 — — 454 — — — 210 (40,959) (3,169) (8,989) 13,320 11,670 16,147 17,916 5,572 4,084 10,417 — 70 2,171 — — (4,030) 210 1,809 1,690 2,442 (48,955) 12,759 10,525 17,472 5,873 6,947 (270) 37,539 202 1,949 2,023 890 — 210 (10,361) (8,188) (6,138) 26,199 2,118 43,402 (12,483) (12,483) (13,319) (13,319) (15,034) (15,034) 20,709 (867) (10,976) (15,345) 2,663 — (1,156) (4,972) 947 (362) 8,739 405 — (11,374) 2,636 4,030 (866) 3,570 (607) 169 30,924 30,755 $ 30,562 $ 30,924 $ (5,281) (799) (4,897) (8,010) 1,195 — (594) (18,386) (1,805) 8,177 22,578 30,755 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 46 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 1. Description of the Business InnerWorkings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “the Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 3, 2006. The Company is a leading global marketing execution firm for the world's most marketing intensive companies, including those companies in the Fortune 1000, across a wide range of industries. As a comprehensive outsourced enterprise solution, the Company leverages proprietary technology, an extensive supplier network and deep domain expertise to streamline the creation, production and distribution of marketing and promotional materials, signage and displays, retail experiences, events and promotions and packaging across every major market worldwide. The items the Company sources are generally procured through the marketing supply chain and are referred to collectively as marketing materials. The Company’s technology and database of information is designed to capitalize on excess manufacturing capacity and other inefficiencies in the traditional marketing and print supply chain to obtain favorable pricing and to deliver high-quality products and services. The Company is organized and managed as two business segments, North America and International, and is viewed as two operating segments by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and assessing performance. See Note 18 for further information about the Company’s reportable segments. 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of InnerWorkings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories and inventory valuation, valuation and impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets, income taxes, accrued bonus, contingencies, stock-based compensation and litigation costs. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that its management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities when those values are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results can differ from those estimates. Foreign Currency Translation The Company determines the functional currency for its parent company and each of its subsidiaries by reviewing the currencies in which their respective operating activities occur. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into U.S. currency at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. The resulting translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses arising from activities in other than the applicable functional currency are calculated using average exchange rates for the applicable period and reported in net income as a non-operating item in each period. Non- monetary balance sheet items denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency are translated using the historical rate. The net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions was $(1.4) million, $0.6 million and $(3.3) million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As further discussed in Note 2, the net realized losses on foreign currency transactions for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes a charge of $1.5 million for the remeasurement of the Company's net assets in Venezuela. 47 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue upon meeting all of the following revenue recognition criteria, which is typically met upon shipment or delivery of our products to customers: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists through customer contracts and orders, (ii) the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, (iii) the sales price charged is fixed or determinable as evidenced by customer contracts and orders and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Unbilled revenue represents shipments or deliveries that have been made to customers for which the related account receivable has not yet been invoiced. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations, the Company generally reports revenue on a gross basis because the Company is the primary obligor in its arrangements to procure marketing materials and other products for its customers. Under these arrangements, the Company is responsible for the fulfillment, including the acceptability, of the printed materials and other products. In addition, the Company (i) determines which suppliers are included in its network, (ii) has discretion to select from among the suppliers within its network, (iii) is obligated to pay its suppliers regardless of whether it is paid by its customers and (iv) has reasonable latitude to establish exchange price. In some transactions, the Company also has general inventory risk and is involved in the determination of the nature or characteristics of the printed materials and products. When the Company is not the primary obligor, revenues are reported on a net basis. The Company recognizes revenue for creative, design, installation, warehousing and other services provided to its customers which may be delivered in conjunction with the procurement of marketing materials at the time when delivery and customer acceptance occur and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. When provided on a stand-alone basis, the Company recognizes revenue for these services upon completion of the service. Service revenue has not been material to the Company’s overall revenue to date. The Company records taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms. Payment terms with customers are generally 30 to 90 days from the invoice date. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer, less an estimate for potential bad debts. Interest is not generally accrued on outstanding balances. The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The Company estimates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, customer credit ratings and historical experience. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company (e.g., bankruptcy filings or substantial downgrading of credit ratings), the Company provides allowances for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount it reasonably believes will be collected. Aged receivables are reviewed on a regular basis and uncollectible accounts are written off when all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Net realizable value is based upon an estimated average selling price reduced by estimated costs of disposal. Inventories primarily consist of purchased finished goods. Finished goods inventory includes consigned inventory held on behalf of customers as well as inventory held at third-party fulfillment centers and subcontractors. 48 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The estimated useful lives, by asset class, are as follows: Computer equipment Software, including internal-use software Office equipment Furniture and fixtures 3 years 1 to 6 years 5 years 7 years Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases. Internal-Use Software In accordance with ASC 350-40, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, Internal-Use Software, certain costs incurred in the planning and evaluation stage of internal-use computer software are expensed as incurred. Certain costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and included in property and equipment. Capitalized internal-use software costs are depreciated over the expected economic useful life of three to six years using the straight-line method. Capitalized internal-use software asset depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $5.4 million, $9.2 million and $8.6 million, respectively and is included in total depreciation expense. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the net book value of internal-use software was $29.7 million and $26.0 million, respectively. Effective October 1, 2016, the Company changed the estimated useful lives of some of its software assets. The estimated useful lives of such assets were increased by an average of approximately 4.5 years, see note 7. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350"), goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Absent any interim indicators of impairment, the Company tests for goodwill impairment as of the first day of its fourth fiscal quarter of each year. Under ASC 350, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the quantitative test is required, in the first step, the fair value for each reporting unit is compared to its book value including goodwill. In the case that the fair value is less than the book value, a second step is performed which compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of goodwill. The fair value for the goodwill is determined based on the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the net fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the book value of the goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment. At October 1, 2017, the Company elected to perform a qualitative assessment of the likelihood that goodwill is impaired. Based on the assessment, no impairment was identified as of October 1, 2017. The Company does not believe that goodwill is impaired as of December 31, 2017. Other Intangible Assets In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, the Company amortizes its intangible assets with finite lives over their respective estimated useful lives and reviews for impairment whenever impairment indicators exist. Impairment indicators could include significant under-performance relative to the historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of assets, significant negative industry or economic trends or significant changes in the Company’s market capitalization relative to net book value. Any changes in key assumptions used by the Company, including those set forth above, could result in an impairment charge and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations. The Company’s intangible assets consist of customer lists, non-competition agreements, trade names and patents. The Company’s customer lists, which have an estimated weighted-average useful life of approximately fourteen years, are being amortized using the 49 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements economic life method. The Company’s non-competition agreements, trade names and patents are being amortized on the straight- line basis over their estimated weighted-average useful lives of approximately four years, thirteen years and nine years, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded a non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge of $0.1 million. For additional information related to the intangible asset impairment, see Note 5. There were no impairment charges recorded in 2017 or 2015. Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs are classified in cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Any change in the valuation allowance would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is “more likely than not” the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. There were no interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Based on the Company’s evaluation, it was concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in its financial statements. The evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the tax years which remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions as of December 31, 2017. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive Federal tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”). The Act makes changes to the corporate tax rate, business-related deductions and taxation of foreign earnings, among others, that will generally be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. As of the date of enactment, we have adjusted our deferred tax assets and liabilities for our new statutory rate which resulted in a $5.4 million credit to our income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, we have estimated and recorded a provisional expense $5.3 million for transition tax related to our foreign operations. Advertising Costs of advertising, which are expensed as incurred by the Company, were $1.2 million, $1.4 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. 50 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Comprehensive Income (Loss) The components of accumulated comprehensive loss included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2015 Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications Net current-period other comprehensive loss Balance at December 31, 2016 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications Net current-period other comprehensive income Balance at December 31, 2017 Stock-Based Compensation Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments $ (13,993) (6,806) (6,806) (20,799) 1,719 1,719 $ (19,079) The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Compensation expense is measured by determining the fair value of each award using the Black-Scholes option valuation model for stock options or the closing share price on the grant date for restricted shares and performance share units. The fair value is then recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis for the entire award. On June 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved, pursuant to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, awards of performance share units (“PSUs”) for certain executive officers and employees. The PSUs are performance-based awards that will settle in shares of the Company's common stock, in an amount between 0% and 200% of the target award level, based on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share and the return on invested capital achieved by the Company between April 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019. Compensation expense for PSUs is measured by determining the fair value of the award using the closing share price on the grant date and is recognized ratably from the grant date to the vesting date for the number of awards expected to vest. The amount of compensation expense recognized for PSUs is dependent upon a quarterly assessment of the likelihood of achieving the performance conditions and is subject to adjustment based on management's assessment of the Company's performance relative to the target number of shares performance criteria. Stock-based compensation cost recognized during the period is based on the full grant date fair value of the share-based payment awards adjusted for any forfeitures during the period. Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Venezuelan Highly Inflationary Economy Since January 1, 2010, Venezuela has been designated as a highly inflationary economy under GAAP. In accordance with GAAP, local subsidiaries in highly inflationary economies are required to use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency and remeasure the monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in U.S. dollars using the rate applicable to conversion of a currency for purposes of dividend remittances. All exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are recognized currently in income. Prior to December 31, 2015, the Company translated the net assets and transactions of its Venezuelan subsidiary using the official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. In February 2015, the Venezuelan government introduced a new currency exchange system referred to as the SIMADI which is intended to be a market-driven rate and is more widely available than the official rate or the auction-based exchange system known as the SICAD. Based on the Company’s facts and circumstances as of December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was determined to be the most appropriate rate for reporting the operations of the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary. 51 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements As of December 31, 2015, the SIMADI rate was approximately 198 bolivars for each U.S. Dollar. The remeasurement of the Company’s net assets from the official rate of 6.3 to the SIMADI rate resulted in a foreign exchange loss of approximately $1.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2015. This loss is included in other expense on the consolidated statement of operations. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"), which amends ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. This ASU amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements, provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting. The new guidance will allow companies to make certain changes to awards without accounting for them as modifications. It does not change the accounting for modifications. The new guidance will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. This new guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. This ASU is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ("ASU 2016-15"), which amends ASC 230, Statement of Cash Flows. This ASU provides guidance on the statement of cash flows presentation of certain transactions where diversity in practice exists. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, ("ASU 2016-09") which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the standard, the income tax effects of awards are required to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, as opposed to in additional paid-in capital under the current guidance. The standard also provides an option to recognize gross share-based compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, which the Company has elected to adopt. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This guidance can be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a modified retrospective transition method. Early adoption is permitted. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company applied a modified retrospective transition method to account for the changes under the standard related to income taxes and the policy election for recording forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted all amendments to the standard at January 1, 2017. The amendments related to the classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows were adopted prospectively and the classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes was adopted retrospectively. The adoption of both resulted in no prior period adjustments. With the adoption of the standards related to eliminating the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before companies can recognize them and election to recognize forfeitures as they occur, the Company elected to use the modified retrospective method which resulted in changes to retained earnings, components of equity and net assets. The net cumulative effect of these changes resulted in a $2.1 million increase to additional paid in capital, a $2.3 million decrease to deferred tax liabilities and a $0.2 million increase to retained earnings. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), ("ASU 2016-02") which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for most leases in the balance sheet as well as other qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The update is to be applied using a modified retrospective method and is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements. 52 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09"), which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue using a five-step process that supersedes virtually all existing revenue guidance. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. The FASB has issued several amendments to the standard since ASU 2014-09. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective transition method). The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company is finalizing updates to the accounting policies and processes to address the variations from current practices, inclusive of the required additional disclosures in the period subsequent to adoption. Specifically, under the current guidance, the Company defers revenue for inventory billed but not yet shipped. As a result of the adoption of the new guidance, in certain situations the Company may be able to recognize revenue for inventory billed but not yet shipped, which could accelerate the timing, but not the total amount, of revenue recognized and would not impact the timing of cash flows. We are in the process of finalizing the measurement of the cumulative effect of adopting the new guidance. The Company’s analysis of its contracts under the new standard supports two historical conclusions of the Company and its current revenue policy: 1) the Company typically recognizes revenue at a point in time rather than over a period of time and, 2) the Company typically recognizes revenue on a gross basis when the Company is the primary obligor. We plan to issue further disclosures around the adoption of ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers as part of our first quarter 2018 Form 10-Q filing. 3. Acquisitions Contingent Consideration In connection with certain of the Company’s acquisitions, contingent consideration is payable in cash or common stock upon the achievement of certain performance measures over future periods. The Company recorded the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration liability as additional purchase price. As discussed in Note 11, the process for determining the fair value of the contingent consideration liability consists of reviewing financial forecasts and assessing the likelihood of reaching the required performance measures based on factors specific to each acquisition as well as the Company’s historical experience with similar arrangements. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the Company estimates the fair value of the contingent consideration liability each reporting period and any adjustments made to the fair value are recorded in the Company’s results of operations. If an acquisition reaches the required performance measures within the reporting period, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability is increased to 100%, the maximum potential payment and reclassified to Due to seller. On June 30, 2017, the EYELEVEL acquisition reached the required performance measures at the end of its earnout period and the balance of the fair value of the contingent consideration liability was reclassified to due to seller. During the third quarter of 2017 the company paid $17.7 million to settle the final balance owed to the sellers. As of December 31, 2017, there are no outstanding contingent consideration liabilities. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded expense (income) of $0.7 million, $10.4 million and $(0.3) million, respectively, due to changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability. Please refer to Note 11 for a further summary of activities related to the contingent consideration balances. Shares Issued as Consideration for Acquisitions Purchase agreements entered by the Company for business combinations often state that the purchase price, including contingent consideration, is to be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock. The value of the shares for each issuance is determined either by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on dates specified in each separate agreement or an average of the closing price of the Company's common stock during and average period prior to the distribution. Generally, the date that determines the share value is the date of the purchase agreement, the last date in a contingent consideration measurement period or the date of issuance to the sellers. The following table presents the number of shares issued as consideration for acquisitions and contingent consideration and the corresponding value of those shares during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands, except share value amounts): 53 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Shares of Common Stock Issued Value of Shares Average Share Value 441 $ 4,678 $ 10.61 244 $ 2,012 $ 238 $ 1,570 $ 8.25 6.59 Year ended December 31, 2017: Payments of contingent consideration Year ended December 31, 2016: Payments of contingent consideration Year ended December 31, 2015: Payments of contingent consideration 4. Goodwill The following is a summary of the goodwill balance for each reportable segment as of December 31 (in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2015 Foreign exchange impact Balance as of December 31, 2016 Foreign exchange impact Balance as of December 31, 2017 North America International Total $ $ 170,736 $ 21 170,757 (72) 170,685 $ 35,521 (3,578) 31,943 (2,682) 29,262 $ $ 206,257 (3,557) 202,700 (2,754) 199,946 Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350"), goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Absent any interim indicators of impairment, the Company tests for goodwill impairment as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. The fair value estimates used in the goodwill impairment analysis require significant judgment. The Company's fair value estimates for purposes of performing the analysis are considered Level 3 fair value measurements. The fair value estimates were based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain, including estimates of future revenues and operating margins and assumptions about the overall economic climate and the competitive environment for the business. As discussed in Note 2, the Company performed its annual impairment test as of October 1, 2017 and no impairment was identified. The Company also believes that goodwill is not impaired as of December 31, 2017. 2015 Goodwill Impairment Charge In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test. In the first step of the impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying amount of a reporting unit in the International segment exceeded its fair value, requiring the Company to perform the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The fair value of the North America reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and the second step was not necessary. Based upon fair value estimates of long-lived assets and discounted cash flows of the reporting unit, the Company compared the implied fair value of the goodwill in this reporting unit with the carrying value. The test resulted in a $37.5 million non-cash, goodwill impairment charge which was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2015. No tax benefit was recognized on the goodwill impairment charge. This charge had no impact on the Company’s cash flows or compliance with debt covenants. 5. Other Intangible Assets The following is a summary of the Company’s other intangible assets as of December 31 (in thousands): 54 Customer lists Non-competition agreements Trade names Patents Less accumulated amortization Intangible assets, net Weighted Average Life 13.6 4.1 13.3 9.0 2017 2016 $ 74,615 $ 72,667 964 2,510 57 78,146 (50,583) 27,563 $ $ 943 2,510 57 76,177 (44,639) 31,538 In accordance with ASC 350, the Company amortizes its intangible assets with finite lives over their respective estimated useful lives and reviews for impairment whenever impairment indicators exist. Impairment indicators could include significant under- performance relative to the historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of assets, significant negative industry or economic trends or significant changes in the Company’s market capitalization relative to net book value. Any changes in key assumptions used by the Company, including those set forth above, could result in an impairment charge and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations. The Company’s intangible assets consist of customer lists, non-competition agreements, trade names and patents. The Company’s customer lists, which have an estimated weighted-average useful life of approximately fourteen years, are being amortized using the economic life method. The Company’s non-competition agreements, trade names and patents are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated weighted-average useful lives of approximately four years, thirteen years and nine years, respectively. Amortization expense related to these intangible assets was $5.0 million, $5.5 million and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter, is as follows (in thousands): 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter $ $ 4,571 4,338 4,168 3,862 3,366 7,258 27,563 Customer List and Trade Name Impairment Charges During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded a non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge of $0.1 million related to a trade name acquired in a prior year business combination in the International segment. The charge is included in the depreciation and amortization line item of the income statement. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recognized a $0.2 million non-cash, intangible asset impairment charge related to certain customer lists acquired in prior year business combinations in the EMEA segment. Due to the global realignment discussed in Note 6, the Company evaluated the affected markets and identified certain customer lists for which undiscounted projected cash flows of the customers in those markets did not exceed the recorded book value of the customer lists. As such, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.2 million to reduce the customer lists to their respective fair values during its fourth quarter of 2015. The charge was included in the depreciation and amortization line item of the income statement. 6. Restructuring Activities and Charges On December 14, 2015, the Company approved a global realignment plan that allowed the Company to more efficiently meet client needs across its international platform. Through improved integration of global resources, the plan created back office and other efficiencies and allowed for the elimination of approximately 100 positions deemed unnecessary. In connection with these actions, the Company incurred total pre-tax cash restructuring charges of $6.7 million, the majority of which were recognized during 2016. These cash charges included approximately $5.6 million for employee severance and related benefits and $1.1 million for lease and contract termination and other associated costs. The charges were all incurred by the end of 2016 with payouts of the 55 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements charges occurring in 2017 and beyond. As required by law, the Company consulted with each of the affected countries’ local Works Councils throughout implementation of this plan. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized no restructuring charges related to this plan. The following table summarizes the restructuring activities for this plan for the year ended December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Employee Severance and Related Benefits Lease and Contract Termination Costs Balance at December 31, 2016 Expenses Cash payments Balance at December 31, 2017 $ $ 1,349 $ — (866) 484 $ 17 $ — (17) — $ Other Total 200 $ — (200) — $ 1,566 — (1,082) 484 During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized $5.6 million in restructuring charges related to this plan of which $0.5 million, $3.9 million, and $1.2 million related to the North America, International, and Other segments, respectively. The plan was completed in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the remaining cash charges accrued as of December 31, 2016 will be paid out in 2018. The following table summarizes the restructuring activities for this plan for the year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands): December 31, 2015 Expenses Cash payments December 31, 2016 Employee Severance and Related Benefits Lease and Contract Termination Costs Other (1) Total $ $ 284 $ 4,552 (3,487) 1,349 $ 75 $ 863 (921) 17 $ — $ 200 — 200 $ 359 5,615 (4,408) 1,566 (1) Other charges relate to professional fees. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized $1.1 million in restructuring charges related to this plan of which $0.2 million and $0.9 million related to the North America and International segments, respectively. 7. Property and Equipment Property and equipment at December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in thousands): 2017 2016 Computer equipment Software, including internal-use software Office equipment and furniture Leasehold improvements Less accumulated depreciation $ 10,985 $ 78,410 6,111 3,576 99,082 (62,368) 36,714 $ 9,568 68,980 5,073 3,040 86,661 (54,005) $ 32,656 Depreciation expense was $8.4 million, $12.4 million and $11.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company evaluates its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining life. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the 56 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company ceased use of one of its internal-use software platforms and recorded $0.4 million of expense within depreciation and amortization. In accordance with the Company’s fixed asset policy, the Company reviews the estimated useful lives of all the fixed assets, including internally developed software once a year or if there are indicators that a useful life has changed. During the fourth quarter of 2016, there were indicators that the estimated useful lives of certain software assets were longer than the current estimated useful lives. As a result, effective October 1, 2016, the Company changed the estimated useful lives of some of its software assets. The estimated useful lives of such assets were increased by an average of approximately 4.5 years. These assets had a net book value of $20.8 million as of October 1, 2016. The effect of this change in estimate resulted in a reduction of depreciation expense by $1.4 million, increase in net income by $0.8 million and increase in basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.015 for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016. 8. Revolving Credit Facility The Company entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2010, subsequently amended most recently as of February 3, 2017, among the Company, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The amendment to the credit agreement, dated August 2, 2010, enables InnerWorkings to participate in receivables sale agreements with certain customer’s lenders. The Credit Agreement includes a revolving commitment amount of $175 million in the aggregate with a maturity date of September 25, 2019and provides the Company the right to increase the aggregate commitment amount by an additional $50 million. Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and such domestic subsidiaries’ guaranty obligations are secured by substantially all of their respective assets. The ranges of applicable rates charged for interest on outstanding loans and letters of credit are 125-250 basis point spread for letter of credit fees and loans based on the Eurodollar rate and 25-150 basis point spread for loans based on the base rate. The terms of the Credit Agreement include various covenants, including covenants that require the Company to maintain a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. The Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than3.0 to 1.0 for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 and each period thereafter. The Company is also required to maintain an interest coverage ratio of no less than 5.0 to 1.0. The Company is in compliance with all covenants in the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $45.5 million of unused availability under the Credit Agreement and $0.8 million of letters of credit which have not been drawn upon. The book value of the debt under this Credit Agreement is considered to approximate its fair value as of December 31, 2017 as the interest rates are considered in line with current market rates. This would be considered a Level I asset. On February 22, 2016, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Facility (the “Facility”) with Bank of America N.A. to support ongoing working capital needs of the Company. The Facility includes a revolving commitment amount of $5.0 million whereby maturity dates vary based on each individual drawdown. Outstanding borrowings under the Facility are guaranteed by the Company’s assets. Borrowings and repayments are made in renminbi, the official Chinese currency. The applicable interest rate is 110% of the People’s Bank of China’s base rate. The terms of the Facility include limitations on use of funds for working capital purposes as well as customary representations and warranties made by the Company. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $4.7 million of unused availability under the Facility. 9. Commitments and Contingencies Lease Commitments The Company leases many of its office facilities for various terms under long-term, noncancelable operating lease agreements. The leases expire at various dates from fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2026. Future minimum lease payments are presented below (in thousands): 57 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total minimum lease payments Operating Leases 6,942 5,298 4,334 2,861 1,699 2,080 23,214 $ $ The Company recognizes rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $9.9 million, $10.6 million and $11.4 million, respectively and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Secured Borrowing Arrangements Certain international subsidiaries are party to short-term secured borrowing arrangements which allow the Company to borrow against the value of a pool of current accounts receivable. The Company retains possession of the accounts receivable which are pledged as collateral. The pledged amounts are immaterial to the consolidated accounts receivable balance. Legal Contingencies In October 2013, the Company removed the former owner of Productions Graphics from his role as President of Productions Graphics, the Company’s French subsidiary. He had been in that role since the Company’s 2011 acquisition of Productions Graphics, a European business then principally owned by him. In December 2013, the former owner of Productions Graphics initiated a wrongful termination claim in the Commercial Court of Paris seeking approximately €0.7 million(approximately $1.0 million) in fees and damages, and this claim is currently pending. In anticipation of this claim, in November 2013, he also obtained a judicial asset attachment order in the amount of €0.7 million (approximately $1.0 million) as payment security; the attachment order was confirmed in January 2014 and the Company filed an appeal of the order. In March 2015, the appellate court ruled in the Company’s favor in the attachment proceedings, releasing all attachments. The Company disputes the allegations of the former owner of Productions Graphics and intends to vigorously defend these matters. In February 2014, based on a review the Company initiated into certain transactions associated with the former owner of Productions Graphics, the Company concluded that he had engaged in fraud by inflating the results of the Productions Graphics business in order to induce the Company to pay him €7.1 million in contingent consideration pursuant to the acquisition agreement. In light of those findings, in February 2014 the Company filed a criminal complaint in France seeking to redress the harm caused by his conduct and this proceeding is currently pending. In addition, in September 2015 the Company initiated a civil claim in the Paris Commercial Court against the former owner of Productions Graphics, seeking civil damages to redress these same harms. All of the pending civil matters have been stayed in deference to the Company's related criminal complaint. In addition to these pending matters, there may be other potential disputes between the Company and the former owner of Productions Graphics relating to the acquisition agreement. The Company had paid €5.8 million (approximately $8.0 million) in fixed consideration and €7.1 million (approximately$9.4 million) in contingent consideration to the former owner of Productions Graphics; the remaining maximum contingent consideration under the acquisition agreement was €34.5 million (approximately $37.6 million) and the Company has determined that none of this amount was earned and payable. In January 2014, a former finance employee of Productions Graphics initiated wrongful termination and overtime claims in the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt and he currently seeks damages of approximately €0.6 million (approximately $0.7 million). The Company disputes these allegations and intends to vigorously defend these matters. In addition, the Company’s criminal complaint in France, described above, seeks to redress harm caused by this former employee in light of his participation in the fraudulent transactions described above. The labor claim has been stayed in deference to the Company’s related criminal complaint. 10. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740"), under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. 58 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The provision for income taxes consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): Current income tax expense: Federal State Foreign Total current income tax expense Deferred income tax expense (benefit): Federal State Foreign Total deferred income tax expense (benefit) Income tax expense Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ 4,680 $ 236 4,471 9,387 1,586 1,545 613 3,744 $ 282 159 6,430 6,871 4,021 418 (355) 4,084 — 324 5,021 5,345 3,491 465 2,991 6,947 $ 13,131 $ 10,955 $ 12,292 The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to pretax income (loss) because of the effect of the following items (in thousands): Tax expense (benefit) at U.S. federal income tax rate State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect Federal and state deferred tax rate change Transition tax Effect of non-US operations Nontaxable contingent liability fair value changes and goodwill impairment Research and development credit Change in valuation allowances Prior year provision to return adjustment Write-off of deferred taxes and tax receivables Nondeductible expense and other Income tax expense (benefit) Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ 11,243 $ 5,364 $ (7,270) 1,028 (5,375) 5,323 (2,143) 237 (38) 2,103 (424) 263 914 449 — — (501) 3,578 (297) 2,206 (137) — 293 500 — — (254) 13,083 (422) 5,173 372 858 252 $ 13,131 $ 10,955 $ 12,292 Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the Company's tax assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax return reporting purposes. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): 59 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Deferred tax assets: Inventory reserve Other reserves and allowances Income tax basis in excess of financial statement basis in intangible assets Deductible stock-based compensation Net operating loss carryforward Tax credit carryforwards Valuation allowance Total deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: Prepaid & other expenses Fixed assets Intangible assets Total deferred tax liabilities Net deferred tax liability December 31, 2017 2016 $ 700 $ 52 1,669 3,760 13,530 428 20,139 (10,711) 9,428 (265) (4,946) (15,953) (21,164) 902 4,233 3,394 4,693 9,496 2,758 25,476 (8,292) 17,184 (139) (5,913) (21,392) (27,444) $ (11,736) $ (10,260) The realizability of deferred income tax assets is based on a more likely than not threshold. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be established against the deferred income tax assets. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent primarily on the generation of future taxable income. In considering the need for a valuation allowance the Company considers historical taxable income along with other positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded additional valuation allowances of $2.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to operating losses for certain foreign locations. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has gross federal and state net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforwards of $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The federal carryovers begin to expire in 2023 and the state carryovers begin to expire in 2022. The Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual limitation on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards related to acquired corporations based on a statutory rate of return (usually the “applicable federal funds rate” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) and the value of the corporation at the time of a “change in ownership” as defined by Section 382. The Company’s total federal NOL as of December 31, 2017 includes $0.6 million of NOLs from acquired corporations. These acquired NOLs have an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of $0.2 million. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had NOLs in France, Italy, Chile, Germany, South Africa, Japan, and Switzerland of $8.9 million, $0.4 million, $1.3 million, $0.8 million, $0.2 million $0.3 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, which have an indefinite carryover period. A reserve for an uncertain tax position was recorded during 2016 as a result of a sale of intellectual property during 2016 between the Company's subsidiaries for the following amount (in thousands): 60 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Balance at December 31, 2016 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year Subtractions based on tax positions related to the current year Interest and penalties Balance at December 31, 2017 Uncertain tax positions 280 — (35) 8 253 $ $ As of December 31, 2017, the Company had gross state research and development credit carryforwards of approximately $0.3 million. The carryovers began to expire in 2016. The Company's intention is to indefinitely reinvest all undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries in accordance with ASC 740. Deferred income taxes were not calculated on undistributed earnings (deficit) of foreign subsidiaries, which were $59.0 million and $34.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability on the undistributed earnings considered indefinitely reinvested is not practicable. The Company's income (loss) before taxes for its foreign operations was $14.9 million, $13.6 million and $(29.6) million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive Federal tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”). The Act makes changes to the corporate tax rate, business-related deductions and taxation of foreign earnings, among others, that will generally be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. As of the date of enactment, we have adjusted our deferred tax assets and liabilities for our new statutory rate which resulted in a $5.4 million credit to our income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, we have estimated and recorded a provisional expense of $5.3 million for transition tax related to our foreign operations. We continue to evaluate the impacts of the Act and will consider additional guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department, IRS or other standard-setting bodies. Further adjustments, if any, will be recorded by us during the measurement period in 2018 as permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We operate under a grant of income tax exemption in Puerto Rico, that became effective for certain operations occurring during the period ending December 31, 2017 and should remain in effect for 20 years as long as specific requirements are satisfied. The impact of this income tax exemption grant decreased foreign taxes by $0.4 million for 2017. The benefit of the tax exemption on diluted earnings per share was less than $0.01. 11. Fair Value Measurement ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820") includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on observable or unobservable inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon its own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels: • • • Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market- corroborated inputs, which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3: Inputs that are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable. As of December 31, 2017 the Company no longer has any Level 3 assets or liabilities remaining on its condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of the finalization of the contingent consideration liabilities discussed in Note 3. As of December 31, 2016, the only Level 3 liabilities on the Company's financial statements related to its potential contingent consideration payments from acquisitions occurring subsequent to January 1, 2009. The fair value of the liabilities determined by this analysis was primarily driven by the probability of reaching the performance measures required by the applicable purchase agreements and the associated 61 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements discount rates. Probabilities were estimated by reviewing financial forecasts and assessing the likelihood of reaching the required performance measures based on factors specific to each acquisition as well as the Company’s historical experience with similar arrangements. If an acquisition reached the required performance measure, the estimated probability would be increased to 100% and reclassified to due to seller, and if the measure was not reached, the probability would have been reduced to reflect the amount earned, if any, depending on the terms of the agreement. Discount rates were determined by applying a risk premium to a risk-free interest rate. The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the basis of measurement at December 31, 2016 (in thousands): At December 31, 2016 Liabilities: Total Fair Value Measurement Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Contingent consideration $ 19,283 $ — $ — $ 19,283 The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2015 Contingent consideration payments paid in cash Contingent consideration payments paid in stock Change in fair value(1) Reclass to Due to seller Foreign exchange impact(2) Balance at December 31, 2016 Contingent consideration payments paid in cash Contingent consideration payments paid in stock Change in fair value(1) Foreign exchange impact(2) Balance at December 31, 2017 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Contingent Consideration $ $ 22,162 (11,374) (2,012) 10,417 402 (312) 19,283 (15,345) (4,678) 677 63 — (1) Adjustments to original contingent consideration obligations recorded were the result of using revised financial forecasts and updated fair value measurements, see note 3. These changes are recognized within operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. (2) Changes in the contingent consideration liability which are caused by foreign exchange rate fluctuations are recognized in other comprehensive income. 12. Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic earnings (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution. Dilutive common shares outstanding is computed using the Treasury Stock Method and reflects the additional shares that would be outstanding if dilutive stock options were exercised and restricted stock and restricted stock units were settled for common shares during the period. In addition, dilutive shares would include any shares issuable related to PSUs for which the performance conditions have been met as of the end of the period. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, 1.1 million, 3.8 million and 3.2 million options and restricted common shares were excluded from the calculation as these options and restricted common shares were anti-dilutive. 62 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Numerator: Net income (loss) Denominator: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ 18,979 $ 4,370 $ (33,063) Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share—weighted-average shares outstanding 53,851 53,607 52,791 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted common shares Contingently issuable shares Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share Basic earnings (loss) per share Diluted earnings (loss) per share 13. Share Repurchase Program 1,093 — 54,944 728 125 — — 54,460 52,791 $ $ 0.35 0.35 $ $ 0.08 0.08 $ $ (0.63) (0.63) On February 12, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $20 million of its common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions over a two-year period. On November 2, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a two-year extension to the share repurchase program through February 28, 2019. On May 4, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $30.0 million of its common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions over a two-year period ending May 31, 2019. The timing and amount of any share repurchases will be determined based on market conditions, share price, and other factors and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. Repurchases will be made in compliance with SEC rules and other legal requirements. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 1,121,928 shares of its common stock for an aggregate amount of $11.0 million at an average cost of $9.78 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock under this program. Shares repurchased under this program are recorded at acquisition cost, including related expenses. 14. Stock-Based Compensation Plans In 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Upon adoption, all previously existing plans were merged into the Plan and ceased to separately exist. The Plan was amended and restated effective June 2016 resulting in an increase in the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Plan by 2,900,000, from 7,850,000 to 10,750,000. The Company’s policy is to issue shares resulting from the exercise of stock options, issuance of performance stock units and conversion of restricted stock as new shares. The Company recorded share-based stock compensation expense of $6.8 million, $5.6 million and $5.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As discussed in Note 2 Recent Accounting Pronouncements, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 and for the year ended December 31, 2017 began recognizing forfeitures as they occurred. The 2016 and 2015 stock-based compensation expense is recorded net of an estimated forfeiture rate and adjusted to reflect actual forfeiture activity. The estimated forfeiture rates applied as of December 31, 2016 ranged from 7.0% to 8.0% for various types of employees. The Company recorded $0.9 million and $1.0 million of additional stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for awards vested which exceeded the expense recorded using the estimated forfeiture rate. Stock Options 63 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Eligible employees receive non-qualified stock options as a portion of their total compensation. The options vest over various time periods depending upon the grant, but generally vest ratably over a four year service period. Vested options may be exercised and converted to one share of the Company’s common stock in exchange for the exercise price which is generally equal to the closing share price on the grant date. Compensation expense is measured by determining the fair value of each award using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The fair value is then recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis for the entire award. The stock-based compensation expense related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2.9 million, $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively. A summary of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Outstanding at December 31, 2014 Granted Exercised Forfeited Outstanding at December 31, 2015 Granted Exercised Forfeited Outstanding at December 31, 2016 Granted Exercised Forfeited Outstanding at December 31, 2017 Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2017 Outstanding Options Weighted- Average Exercise Price $ 4,046 975 (405) (556) 4,060 1,348 (420) (227) 4,761 568 (428) (467) 8.35 6.87 2.95 9.58 8.37 8.15 6.27 10.20 8.40 10.73 7.85 10.39 4,434 2,505 $ $ 8.57 8.62 $ $ Aggregate Intrinsic Value 4,725 $ — 1,604 — 2,760 — 4,455 — 8,655 — 1,300 539 9,340 5,860 The Company’s stock options have a maximum term of 10 years from the date of grant. The weighted average remaining contractual life for options outstanding and options vested and exerciseable at December 31, 2017 is 5.70 and 3.68 years, respectively. 64 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The weighted-average fair values and ranges of exercise prices for stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, which vest ratably over four or five years, are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): 2015 2016 2017 Options Granted 975 1,348 568 Weighted-Average Fair Value $ $ $ 3.39 3.38 4.42 Exercise Prices $6.21 - $8.20 $6.99 - $9.20 $9.32 - $11.47 The number of vested options totaled 2.5 million, 2.5 million and 2.5 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of each fiscal year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These amounts change based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock which was $10.03, $9.98 and $7.50 on the last business day of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The following assumptions were utilized in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted in 2017, 2016 and 2015: Dividend yield Risk-free interest rate Expected life Volatility 2017 — 1.98%-2.34% 6.5 years 36.0%-38.0% 2016 — 1.53%-2.03% 6.5 years 38.0%-50.0% 2015 — 1.92%-2.12% 6 years 50.0% No dividend yield is used as the Company does not currently, nor historically, pay dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on actual U.S. Treasury zero-coupon rates for bonds commensurate with the expected term. Expected term is estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. The Company believes that its historical experience provides the best estimate of future expected life. The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over a period commensurate with the expected term. There was $5.0 million, $7.4 million and $5.6 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to the stock options granted under the Plan as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4, 3.6 and 2.8 years, respectively. The following table summarizes information about all stock options outstanding for the Company as of December 31, 2017 (share amounts in thousands): Options Outstanding Options Vested Exercise Price $0.00 - $4.36 $4.37 - $7.95 $7.96 - $11.97 $11.98 - $15.05 Restricted Common Shares Number Outstanding Weighted- Average Life Remaining (Years) Weighted- Average Exercise Price Number Exercisable Weighted- Average Exercise Price 64 2,189 1,613 568 4,434 1.29 5.23 7.50 2.94 5.70 $ $ $ $ $ 3.11 6.68 9.55 13.65 8.57 64 1,320 552 568 2,505 $ $ $ $ $ 3.11 6.43 9.32 13.65 8.62 Eligible employees receive restricted common shares as a portion of their total compensation. The restricted common shares vest over various time periods depending upon the grant, but generally vest from one to five years and convert to common stock at the conclusion of the vesting period. The Company measures the compensation cost based on the closing market price of the Company’s 65 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements common stock at the grant date. The stock-based compensation expense related to restricted common shares for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $3.5 million, $3.3 million and $3.5 million, respectively. A summary of restricted share activity is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Outstanding Restricted Common Shares Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2014 1,090 $ Granted Vested and transferred to unrestricted common stock Forfeited Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2015 Granted Vested and transferred to unrestricted common stock Forfeited Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2016 Granted Vested and transferred to unrestricted common stock Forfeited Nonvested Restricted Common shares at December 31, 2017 688 (465) (356) 957 559 (429) (78) 1,009 332 (403) (166) 772 $ 8.92 6.90 8.40 8.19 7.66 8.24 7.71 8.04 7.92 11.00 8.28 8.51 8.98 There were $5.1 million, $7.6 million and $6.9 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the restricted common shares as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 years, as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units: During fiscal 2017, the Company granted a performance-based restricted stock unit award to the Company's executive officers. The performance-based restricted stock unit awards are subject to vesting based on a performance-based condition and a service- based condition. At the end of the three-year service period, based on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share and the return on invested capital achieved by the Company between April 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019 as approved by the Compensation Committee, these performance-based restricted stock units will vest in a percentage of the target number of shares between 0 and 200%, depending on the extent the performance condition is achieved. Each of the units granted represent the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock at a specified future date. As of December 31, 2017, the number of common shares issuable upon vesting of these PSUs could range from zero to 256,465 shares. Nonvested Performance Share Units at December 31, 2016 Granted Forfeited Nonvested Performance Share Units at December 31, 2017 Outstanding Performance Share Units Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value — $ 151,822 (23,588) 128,234 $ — 11.10 11.10 11.10 Compensation expense for PSUs is subject to adjustment based on management's assessment of the Company's performance relative to the target number of shares performance criteria.The stock-based compensation expense related to restricted common shares for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $0.4 million. There was $1.4 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the performance-based restricted stock units as of December 31, 2017 that is expected to be recognized over the remaining 2.0 years. 15. Benefit Plans 66 The Company adopted a 401(k) savings plan effective February 1, 2005, covering all of the Company’s employees upon completion of 30 days of service. Employees may contribute a percentage of eligible compensation on both a before-tax basis and after-tax basis. The Company has the right to make discretionary contributions to the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, total costs incurred from the Company’s contributions to the 401(k) plan were $1.0 million, $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively. 16. Related Party Transactions Agreements and Services with Related Parties The Company provides print procurement services to Arthur J. Gallagher & Company. J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arthur J. Gallagher & Company and has a direct ownership interest in Arthur J. Gallagher & Company. The total amount billed for such procurement services during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $1.9 million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Additionally, Arthur J. Gallagher & Company provides insurance brokerage and risk management services to the Company. As consideration for these services, Arthur J. Gallagher & Company billed the Company $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amounts receivable from Arthur J. Gallagher & Company was $0.2 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2017 the Company began providing marketing execution services to Enova International, Inc. David Fisher, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enova International, Inc. and has a direct ownership interest in Enova International, Inc. The total amount billed for such procurement services during the year ended December 31, 2017 is $0.1 million. The amount receivable from Enova, Inc. was $0.1 million as of December 31, 2017. 17. Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental cash flow information is as follows (in thousands): Cash paid for: Interest Income taxes Noncash investing and financing activities: Shares issued as payment of contingent consideration 18. Business Segments Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 $ $ $ $ 4,072 9,838 13,910 4,678 4,678 $ $ $ $ 4,338 5,485 9,823 2,012 2,012 $ $ $ $ 4,306 3,863 8,169 1,570 1,570 Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), manages the segments, evaluates financial results and makes key operating decisions. The Company is organized and managed as two business segments: North America and International. The North America segment includes operations in the United States and Canada; the International segment includes all other operations across Europe, Asia, Mexico, Central America and South America; Other consists of intersegment eliminations, shared service activities and unallocated corporate expenses. All transactions between segments are presented at their gross amounts and eliminated through Other. Management evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure. The accounting policies of each of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 2. Adjusted EBITDA represents income from operations excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, income/expense related to changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and other items as described below. Management does not evaluate the performance of its operating segments using asset measures. The identifiable assets by segment disclosed in this note are those assets specifically identifiable within each segment and include cash, accounts receivable, inventory, goodwill and intangible assets. Shared service assets are primarily comprised of short- term investments, capitalized internal-use software and net property and equipment for the corporate headquarters. 67 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The table below presents financial information for our reportable operating segments and Other for the fiscal years noted (in thousands): Fiscal 2017: Revenue from third parties Revenue from other segments Total revenue Adjusted EBITDA(1) Fiscal 2016: Revenue from third parties Revenue from other segments Total revenue Adjusted EBITDA(1) Fiscal 2015: Revenue from third parties Revenue from other segments Total revenue North America International Other (2) Total $ $ 776,400 5,469 781,869 78,079 734,164 6,029 740,193 67,969 359,856 15,137 374,993 20,063 356,540 17,526 374,066 22,576 $ — $ (20,606) (20,606) (35,867) — (23,555) (23,555) (31,392) 1,136,256 — 1,136,256 62,275 1,090,704 — 1,090,704 59,153 708,532 7 708,539 63,744 320,821 8,691 329,512 14,936 — (8,698) (8,698) (27,881) 1,029,353 — 1,029,353 50,799 Adjusted EBITDA(1) (1) Adjusted EBITDA, which represents income from operations with the addition of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, income/expense related to changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities, goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges, restructuring and other charges, secured assets reserves, professional fees related to ASC 606 implementation, business development realignment, CEO search costs, and Czech currency impact on procurement margin is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under SEC regulations. Income from operations is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company presents this measure as supplemental information to help investors better understand trends in its business results over time. The Company's management team uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is not equivalent to any measure of performance required to be reported under GAAP, nor should this data be considered an indicator of the Company's overall financial performance and liquidity. Moreover, the Adjusted EBITDA definition the Company uses may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. (2) Other consists of intersegment eliminations, shared service activities and unallocated corporate expenses. The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Income (loss) before income taxes in our Consolidated statement of operations (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2017 Adjusted EBITDA Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation Change in fair value of contingent consideration Goodwill impairment charge Intangible asset impairment charges Restructuring and other charges Business development realignment Professional fees related to ASC 606 implementation CEO search costs Czech currency impact on procurement margin Secured asset reserve(1) Total other expense Income (loss) before income taxes $ $ 62,275 (13,390) (6,820) (677) — — — (715) (829) (454) (860) — (6,420) 32,110 $ $ 59,153 (17,916) (5,572) (10,417) — (70) (5,615) — — — — — (4,238) 15,325 $ $ 50,799 (17,472) (5,873) 270 (37,539) (202) (1,053) — — — — (2,023) (7,678) (20,771) (1) The Company accrued a reserve of $2.0 million in 2015, respectively, on inventory in which it holds a security interest. The inventory was procured for a former client. 68 InnerWorkings, Inc. and subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The table below presents total assets for the Company's reportable segments and Other as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. North America International Other Total Assets December 31, 2017 394,052 $ 226,065 19,902 640,019 $ December 31, 2016 368,149 $ 202,007 20,843 590,999 $ The Company had long-lived assets, consisting of net property and equipment, in the United States of $21.8 million, $21.2 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Long-lived assets in foreign countries were $14.9 million and $11.4 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company does not record revenue for financial reporting purposes by product and service category and therefore, it is impracticable for the Company to report revenue in such manner. 19. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The tables below are a condensed summary of the Company’s unaudited quarterly statements of operations and quarterly earnings per share data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands, except per share data): Revenue Gross profit Net income Net income per share: Basic Diluted Revenue Gross profit Net income (loss) Net income (loss) per share: Basic Diluted Year Ended December 31, 2017 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter $ $ $ $ $ $ 267,390 64,277 5,456 0.10 0.10 $ $ $ 279,530 70,227 4,493 0.08 0.08 $ $ $ 288,386 72,519 7,528 0.14 0.14 Year Ended December 31, 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter $ 271,073 61,946 (2,693) $ 269,220 65,094 (2,324) 279,993 67,781 4,341 (0.05) $ (0.05) $ (0.04) $ (0.04) $ 0.08 0.08 $ $ $ $ $ $ 300,950 71,311 1,499 0.03 0.03 Fourth Quarter 270,418 68,727 5,047 0.09 0.09 69 SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (in thousands) Description Fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 Allowance for doubtful accounts Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 Allowance for doubtful accounts Fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 Allowance for doubtful accounts $ $ $ Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to Expense (Uncollectible Accounts Written Off, Net of Recoveries) Balance at End of Period 2,622 1,231 2,685 $ $ $ 454 2,171 1,949 $ $ $ 457 $ (780) $ (3,403) $ 3,534 2,622 1,231 70 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2017 such that the information relating to the Company, including consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in our SEC reports (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Notwithstanding the ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017 and the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that existed as of that date as described below, management believes that (i) this Form 10-K does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading with respect to the periods covered by this Annual Report and (ii) the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information, included in this Annual Report fairly present in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of, and for, the dates and periods presented. Our external auditors have issued an unqualified opinion on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Management of InnerWorkings, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that: • • • pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, and that the receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorization of management and the board of directors; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. All systems of internal control, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems deemed to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Because of inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. The framework used in carrying out our evaluation was the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations ("COSO") of the Treadway Commission. In evaluating our information technology controls, we also used components of the framework contained in the Control Objectives for Information and related Technology ("COBIT"), which 71 was developed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association’s IT Governance Institute, as a complement to the COSO internal control framework. Based on this evaluation, our management identified control deficiencies as of December 31, 2017 which constituted material weaknesses. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result of the material weakness noted above and described below, management has concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. Material Weaknesses and Related Remediation Efforts During the financial statement close process for the period ended December 31, 2017, management identified the following material weaknesses in internal control. Material Weaknesses The material weaknesses are due to control deficiencies and gaps in the design and operating effectiveness of revenue recognition and compensation expense controls in the Company’s North America business. With respect to revenue process, the Company’s controls were ineffective to: (i) ensure revenue was recognized when the risk of loss transferred from the Company to the customer based on an analysis of customer arrangements and delivery terms, (ii) retain and review customer order documentation, including support for assessing whether pricing was fixed and determinable, and (iii) estimate the impact of future credit memos. These deficiencies also impacted unbilled revenue, inventory and cost of sales. With respect to compensation expense, the Company’s controls were ineffective in relation to the design and operation of the review controls over compensation. Remediation Efforts Our management has worked, and continues to work, to strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. We are committed to ensuring that such controls are operating effectively. The Company has initiated a plan to remediate the material weaknesses noted above. Specifically, to remediate deficiencies in revenue recognition controls, the Company will develop and implement controls to (i) compile and process shipping data and delivery terms in customer contracts and improve related operational processes; (ii) improve review processes and related documentation supporting customer orders and pricing; (iii) improve process for estimating future credit memos; and (iv) implement an improved system, process, and related controls to categorize and track customer contracts based on delivery terms. To remediate deficiencies in the controls over the compensation process, the Company will develop and implement controls to ensure that systems used for computing payroll, commission, and bonus expenses are updated with accurate data to reflect approved compensation arrangements. Additionally, the Company will develop and implement controls over the accuracy and completeness of information used in the controls, such as validation of source data, report logic, and report parameters. We will continue to actively identify, develop, and implement additional measures to materially improve and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Other than the changes described above, there have been no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. Other Information None. 72 Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance PART III Certain information required by this Item 10 relating to our directors and executive officers is incorporated by reference herein to our Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. We have adopted a code of ethics, which is posted in the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.inwk.com. We intend to include on our website any amendments to or waivers from, a provision of the code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or controller that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition contained in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K. In addition, our board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines, which are also posted in the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.inwk.com. Item 11. Executive Compensation Certain information required by this Item 11 relating to remuneration of directors and executive officers and other transactions involving management is incorporated by reference herein to our Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans The following table sets forth information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except per share amount). Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options (a) Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) 4,434 $ — 4,434 $ 8.57 — 8.57 1,838 (2) — 1,838 Plan Category Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(3) Total (1) (2) (3) Includes our 2004 Unit Option Plan, which was merged with our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Includes shares remaining available for future issuance under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. There are no equity compensation plans in place not approved by our stockholders. Certain information required by this Item 12 relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference herein from our 2018 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence Certain information required by this Item 13 relating to certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference herein to our Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders not later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 73 Certain information required by this Item 14 regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference herein from the section entitled “Matters Concerning Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our 2018 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. 74 Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules PART IV (a) (1) Financial Statements: Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule in the section entitled “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (2) Financial Statement Schedule: Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements and Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts in the section entitled “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Schedules not listed above are omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. (3) Exhibits: Exhibits are as set forth in the section entitled “Exhibit Index” which follows the section entitled “Signatures” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain of the exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index have been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such exhibits are identified by the parenthetical references following the listing of each such exhibit and are incorporated by reference. Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference can be inspected and copied at the public reference rooms maintained by the SEC in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Exhibit No. 3.1 Description Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.(1) 3.2 4.1 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 10.11 10.12 Amended and Restated By-Laws.(1) Specimen Common Stock Certificate.(2) InnerWorkings, LLC 2004 Unit Option Plan.(2)† InnerWorkings, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective June 3, 2016.(4)† Form of InnerWorkings Restricted Stock Award Agreement.(11)† Form of Stock Option Award Agreement.(11)† Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement.(11)† InnerWorkings, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan.(2)† First Amendment to Employee Agreement dated April 6, 2015 by and between Ronald C. Provenzano and InnerWorkings, Inc.(3)† Amended and Restated Employment Agreement entered into as of December 19, 2013 by and between Eric D. Belcher and InnerWorkings, Inc.(5)† Transition Agreement between Innerworkings, Inc. and Eric D. Belcher, dated February 1, 2018.(13)† Employee Agreement entered into as of June 30, 2015 by and between InnerWorkings, Inc. and Jeffrey P. Pritchett.(9)† Employee Agreement entered into as of August 23, 2012 by and between InnerWorkings, Inc. and Ronald Provenzano.(10)† Employee Agreement entered into as of March 6, 2017 by and between InnerWorkings, Inc. and Robert L. Burkart.(10)† 75 10.13 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Innerworkings, Inc. and Charles Hodgkins, dated December 6, 2017. (12)† 10.14 Employment Agreement between Innerworkings, Inc. and Richard Stoddart, dated January 31, 2018. (13)† 10.15 Form of Indemnification Agreement.(2) Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2010, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as documentation agent and the other lenders party thereto.(6) First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2012, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as documentation agent and the other lenders party hereto.(7) Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2013, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2013, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2014, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.(8) Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dates as of February 3, 2017, by and among InnerWorkings, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.(10) 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 21.1 Subsidiaries of InnerWorkings, Inc. 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 101.INS XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 76 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) Incorporated by reference to Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-139811). Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the 2016 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 18, 2016. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the 2016 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 18, 2016. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2013. Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2014. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2017. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 5, 2017. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 7, 2017. Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 5, 2018. † Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company. 77 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES INNERWORKINGS, INC. By: Title: / S / ERIC D. BELCHER Eric D. Belcher Chief Executive Officer and President KNOWN BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the individuals whose signatures appear below hereby constitute and appoint Eric D. Belcher and Charles Hodgkins and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do or perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or of his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do to cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date / S / ERIC D. BELCHER President, Chief Executive Officer and Director March 16, 2018 Eric D. Belcher (principal executive officer) / S / CHARLES HODGKINS Interim Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) March 16, 2018 Charles Hodgkins / S / WILLIAM C. ATKINS Global Controller (principal accounting officer) March 16, 2018 William C. Atkins / S / JACK M. GREENBERG Chairman of the Board March 16, 2018 Jack M. Greenberg / S / LINDA S. WOLF Director Linda S. Wolf / S / CHARLES K. BOBRINSKOY Director Charles K. Bobrinskoy / S / JULIE M. HOWARD Director Julie M. Howard / S / DAVID FISHER Director David Fisher / S / J. PATRICK GALLAGHER Director J. Patrick Gallagher 78 March 16, 2018 March 16, 2018 March 16, 2018 March 16, 2018 March 16, 2018 corporate information Board of Directors Eric D. Belcher Compensation Committee Auditor J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. (Chair) Ernst & Young LLP Chairman of the Board Charles K. Bobrinskoy Chicago, IL Richard S. Stoddart President and CEO, InnerWorkings David Fisher Jack M. Greenberg Julie M. Howard Linda S. Wolf Annual Meeting Innerworkings’ shareholders are invited to attend our annual meeting, which will be held on Jack M. Greenberg Nominating & Corporate Thursday May 31, 2018 at 11:00am Lead Independent Director Governance Committee CT – at our Corporate Headquarters. Retired Chairman and CEO, Linda S. Wolf (Chair) McDonald’s Corporation J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. Common Stock Charles K. Bobrinskoy Vice Chairman and Head of Investment Group, Ariel Investments David Fisher Chairman and CEO, Jack M. Greenberg Julie M. Howard Executive Officers Richard S. Stoddart The common stock of InnerWorkings, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol: INWK. President and Chief Executive Officer Transfer Agent Charles (Chip) D. Hodgkins III Trust Company, LLC American Stock Transfer and Shareholder Services 6201 15th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219 800.937.5449 www.amstock.com Enova International, Inc. Chief Financial Officer J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. Chairman and CEO, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Julie M. Howard Chairman and CEO, Ronald C. Provenzano General Counsel Robert L. Burkart Chief Information Officer Navigant Consulting, Inc. Corporate Headquarters Linda S. Wolf InnerWorkings, Inc. 600 West Chicago Avenue Retired Chairman and CEO, Chicago, IL 60654 Leo Burnett Worldwide 312.642.3700 Committees Audit Committee Charles K. Bobrinkskoy (Chair) David Fisher Julie M. Howard Linda S. Wolf inwk I N N E R W O R K I N G S | 2 0 1 7 A N N U A L R E P O R T InnerWorkings, Inc. 600 West Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60654 inwk.com 

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