Coronavirus could forever change corporate annual meetings

David Martin is quoted in Roll Call regarding the lasting effects of coronavirus on corporate annual meetings. Mr. Martin says, “I think this year’s experience will be a real needle-mover.” He also notes that  virtual meetings also have smaller carbon footprints, an impact about which some investors are increasingly concerned. Ultimately, how big of a shift comes from this year’s largely online proxy season depends on how well companies find that the technology works, cost calculations, and institutional investor views, he adds. Companies that host small meetings at their own headquarters might find that option cheaper, while an online meeting may cost less for a company that would otherwise rent a hotel ballroom.