Should You Hold Hybrid, Virtual or Physical AGM?

Different AGM formats

Virtual AGMs

Virtual AGMs take place entirely online. Presenters, speakers, board members, shareholders and other stakeholders log in to a webinar platform that offers the ability to raise questions and cast votes. 

Benefits include: 

• Reduced venue hire, travel and accommodation costs
• Lower carbon footprint due to lack of travel
• Greater reach to attendees who might not be able to attend an in-person event due to location, time constraints or other restrictions
• Engagement tools on the platform allow all attendees to interact, even if they might not be comfortable speaking in a physical environment
• Digital voting provides transparency and an audit trail.

Hybrid AGMs

With hybrid AGMs, the organisation hosts the AGM in a physical location and some shareholders can attend in person, but there is also a virtual element that allows for remote attendance. Virtual attendees should enjoy the same experience and opportunities as those in the room. 

Benefits include: 

• Many of the same benefits as virtual AGMs
• Reduced venue hire costs as you do not need as large a room as for fully physical events
• Flexibility for attendees to choose their favoured attendance option
• Flexibility for organisations to transition smoothly to fully virtual AGMs in the future, if necessary. 

Physical AGMs

Physical AGMs take place in a particular venue at a set time, with no online engagement. One reason companies might opt for a fully physical AGM is if shareholders are concerned that the platform a company uses to host a virtual event does not allow for voting or asking questions during the event. Where issuers ask for questions in advance, there can be suspicions that they might filter them before putting them to executives. 

This is why companies should seek out an online AGM platform that allows for interaction as if the virtual attendees were in the room. 

Prepare for AGM season

AGMs take a lot of preparation and hard work, and it is essential to host a professional, interactive and engaging event to ensure the issuer and investors benefit from the meeting. Here are some tips for creating effective AGMs. 

1. Keep an eye on legislation

Each jurisdiction has its own rules about whether to allow online AGMs and, if so, how they must run. By making sure you understand what the legislation says in the territories in which you are present, you can remain compliant. 

2. Choose the right solution

Creating an engaging virtual or hybrid AGM requires specialist software. It is not enough to simply point a webcam at a live meeting. You need a platform that will offer interaction and provide the same experience for remote attendees as for those in the venue. 

3. Maintain contact with shareholders

Ensure you add details of the attendance options in your meeting notice and be in contact to help investors understand how to access the online aspect of your AGM. Open the lines of communication for questions and support. 

4. Make it a collaborative experience

It is important that remote attendees can ask questions during the meeting to hold directors to account. But you can also use interactive features such as comment walls and virtual polls to increase engagement with attendees.