The loyal followers of Warren E. Buffett will soon be able to meet face to face again at Woodstock for the Capitalists.
Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate run by Mr. Buffett, said on Tuesday that it plans to hold its AGM later this year. The event is scheduled for April 30th and will also be broadcast live, as it has been for several years.
The decision reflects evolving and sometimes divergent approaches to live events at this stage of the pandemic. This month, the World Economic Forum once again postponed its annual meeting of business, government and non-profit leaders in Davos, Switzerland, but CES, a major tech show, took place in Las Vegas.
Berkshire held the previous two annual meetings virtually, citing the pandemic. It was a big event for the company: the meeting usually brings tens of thousands of people to Omaha, Nebraska for an event unlike any other shareholder meeting.
The biggest attraction is the hours-long interview session, in which Berkshire shareholders pose questions to Mr. Buffett and his longtime deputy, Charles T. Munger, on topics ranging from the company’s plans to the couple’s thoughts on the state of the world.
The Berkshire meeting, held in person, also gave a boost to Omaha’s economy, including local outposts of company-owned retailers such as Borsheim jewelry store.
Details on how this year’s meeting will play out, including any coronavirus testing or vaccination requirements for attendees, have not been released. The company said it will provide more information when it releases its annual report next month.
Among the questions Berkshire may face when arranging a meeting in person is how to protect the health of its leaders: Mr. Buffett is 91 and Mr. Munger is 98.