Warren Buffett will host Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in Omaha on Saturday. Thousands of attendees, ranging from hedge fund managers to students, will attend the event. The weekend is filled with Q&A sessions, shopping events, a picnic, and a 5K run.
The Q&A session is the main draw. Buffett will take the stage for nearly five hours to answer questions. This year marks only the second meeting since the death of Buffett’s right-hand man, Charlie Munger.
However, Buffett’s successor, Greg Abel, and insurance chief Ajit Jain, will join the event. Lawrence Cunningham, an author on Berkshire and Director of the University of Delaware’s Weinberg Center, calls the gathering “a unique blend of wisdom, camaraderie, and tradition.” David Kass, a finance professor at the University of Maryland, seeks the excitement of being in the same room as Buffett and other passionate investors.
Buffett’s final wisdom and camaraderie
Paul Lountzis, president of Lountzis Asset Management, has attended for over 30 years and cherishes the chance to reconnect with friends and learn from Buffett. Steven Check, CEO of Check Capital Management, views the Q&A as an essential opportunity for “rational thought,” given Buffett’s rare appearances. Brett Gardner, author of “Buffett’s Early Investments,” reveres Buffett’s investment record, seeing the meeting as a celebration of his achievements.
For Brian Gongol, a shareholder and Buffett superfan, attending is a way to express gratitude for Buffett’s teachings, which have positively impacted his financial strategy. In addition to the Q&A, the event features a significant shopping element, where subsidiaries like See’s Candies and Pampered Chef offer discounted products. This draws many bargain hunters, with attendees like Gongol noting that Berkshire merchandise comprises a large part of their wardrobes.
In Buffett’s recent letter to shareholders, he mentioned his advancing age and hinted that he might use a cane, sparking speculation about his retirement. Alex Morris, author of “Buffett and Munger Unscripted,” suggests this might be one of the last opportunities to see Buffett share his wisdom in person, making the event even more poignant. Buffett, aware of his mortality, quipped at previous year’s gathering, “I hope that you come next year, but I hope I come next year too.” Attendees like Lountzis hope this year’s meeting won’t be Buffett’s last, treasuring each chance to engage with the legendary investor.
Image Credits: Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
