AGM Tourist

[anonymous-user]

Has anyone ever attended an AGM in person as a shareholder? What are they actually like and is there a benefit in attending? (Post Covid)

I hear that the Berkshire Hathaway AGM is legendary but at $370,000 a share that might be pushing it a bit. I do own shares in a few ‘interesting’ companies (actually own, not just in the SIPP or ISA) and get the AGM notice but have never applied for a ticket. Would something like LVMH or Kering be worth a trip to Paris for example?

Is there such a thing as an “AGM Tourist” who just turns up for the canapés and fizz?

[anonymous-user]

YorkshireWhisky said:

Is there such a thing as an “AGM Tourist” who just turns up for the canapés and fizz?

Yes. The more food & drink provided the more "retired gentlefolk" turn up for the AGM.

The secret of success is to decide how long you want the meeting to last before you start.
12.00 Midday kick off with a couple of speeches
12.10 Formal business put to the meeting with some Q&A time for each item before the vote (which all-being-well is completely irrelevant because you've go enough proxies under your arm to carry each resolution regardless)
12.30 Open the floor for general shareholder questions - ramble - ramble - ramble
12.50 Waitresses open doors towards rear of room and stand with trays, casually clinking the already-filled glasses
12.51 Some shareholders start fidgeting and grumbling
12.52 Conclude meeting with a cheery smile
12.55 to 1.30 Deflect shareholders' questions (with a cheery smile) while standing, sipping a glass and nibbling a sausage roll. Keep moving.
1.30 Thank goodness that's all over for another year...

Is it worth going? No.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for that.
The 12:55 to 13:30 bit is what I'm interested in !!!!!

"retired gentlefolk" I like that, for clarity I haven't retired but shall we say I do have a very flexible work life.

[Simpo Two]

It sounds like a government 'consultation' where they get a few opinions from the punters, then do what they were going to do anyway.

I presume an AGM must be a legal requirement otherwise they could save themselves the expense.