@Slew, looking forward to your thoughts on the LOV AGM, I would like to go but I'm in Sydney and no Virtual Option - please ask about this if you get the chance.

I would confirm with them what you need if you are traveling for it just to be sure.

Can check with investor relations / the registry (registry handles admissions), or whatever contact they have on ASX announcements.

I usually just show up with ID.

Wouldn't hurt to take the HIN / SRN for your holding too.

Note that this works if you hold shares in your own name, but not if you hold it in your SMSF with joint directors.

If you can't get in as a shareholder, they should still let you in as a guest but you can't vote or ask questions.

I usually get there a little early to get a good spot, then stick around after for chit chat and a biscuit.

Enjoy!

Thanks, @Slomo

I'll see how I go with your question and agree, for the size of the company there should be a virtual option.

The ASX should mandate hybrid meetings for all companies.

Ive been thinking the same thing.

Apart from the benefit of being able to attend remotely - it means that its more likely the AGM and questions will be recorded and available in services like Quartr and Finchat in the future (which I find really useful to listen to CEO's and Chairmans and how they answer questions when researching a company).

Also I was wondering that given new information is potentially disclosed in the Q&A part of AGMs - I would have thought this information should be disclosed to the market e.g. publishing links of transcripts or recordings in the ASX company announcements.

Im based in NZ which in reality makes Hybrid the only option for Australian companies.

This year I emailed three companies this year asking if the AGM would be hybrid - and got the generic no response (they dont care).

I was thinking that collectively Strawman members could apply pressure to companies

Perhaps

• Ask them in physical AGMs if you attend when they will offer hybrid
• Email companies and ask them
• Ask the Australian Shareholders Association what they are doing about it - and see if we can collaborate to apply pressure

What do others think?

I agree that all need to be virtual. They don’t need to be recorded for later but at least give people an option to dial in and listen

I agree, and I am making a point to send an email requesting a hybrid meeting for all my holdings who don't currently have that option.

I'm not sure if I will be successful, but if enough people send the email, they will at least think about it, and maybe there will be hope next year.

Just reading what the ASA say about this. They have made submissions on this to the Treasury and make detailed points on why meetings should be Hybrid

https://www.australianshareholders.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ASA_submission_Treasury_StatutoryReview_Meetings_Documents_July24-combined.pdf

I guess for anyone taking the time to request a Hybrid meeting for next year to a company - we could also advise them in the same emails of this document by the ASA and that as shareholders we have decided on principal to vote against all Remuneration Reports and Incentives as a matter of principal until they offer a Hybrid meeting.

I suspect that these emails are more likely to get their attention quicker.

I intend on doing this with a number of companies I have shares in - especially the ones where I have less trust in management and the board.

Agree @shearman. The collective thing could work but would require a bit of coordination from interested shareholders.

You see this sort of thing in action at a few AGMs, mainly from Team Invest and the ASA.

Team Invest like to say things like, "collectively we are the 12th biggest shareholder in your company", to add weight to their questions.

The ASA actually pool votes as a proxy for some members holdings (votes based on some member holdings are legally signed over to the ASA).

I'd suggest an overhead light approach would be for anyone who wants a particular company to go virtual AGM's to find the best point of contact(s) for them and share this info here so interested holders / watchers can add their voice to this request by e-mailing / calling in.

I'll kick it off for LOV

I just sent the below to the following e-mail address - [email protected].

Attn: Investor Relations - AGM query

Hi Investor Relations,

I am a shareholder in LOV.

I get a lot out of the Annual and Half Year Results Webinars you put on every 6 months with the ability to ask questions.

I would like to attend your AGM but I am based in Sydney.

Can you please add a virtual / hybrid option to your AGM's going forward?

You are likely aware of the proposal in front of Treasury in this regard:

https://www.australianshareholders.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ASA_submission_Treasury_StatutoryReview_Meetings_Documents_July24-combined.pdf

If this is too difficult for whatever reason, can you at least set up a one way video link (Zoom or similar), or simply record an audio of the meeting and post it to the investor relations section of your website?

Many Thanks,

Thanks @Slomo

Your request is better worded than mine - I can definitely lighten and improve my approach (Im a bit too blunt).

However of the 3 companies I emailed prior to the AGMs (a month ago) just asking if there was an online option only one bothered to respond.

(DSK responded, BMT & GLH no response)

Just the fact that they don't respond to shareholder emails is not great as well as very frustrating.