Walmart to resume annual shareholder meeting in Fayetteville

After two years on a COVID-19 hiatus, Walmart announced Tuesday (March 29) the retail giant would resume its annual meeting of employees and shareholders in-person at Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas on June 3.

The company also said it would hold its annual business meeting 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 1 in a virtual-only format. Shareholders can view the meeting online.

Walmart previously separated the business meeting from annual celebration with employees. The business meeting is where shareholders vote on formal business and proxy proposals whereas the star-studded celebration on Friday provides entertainment and a review of accomplishments the business has had during the past year. The Friday celebration will begin at 8 a.m. and will also allow top management to speak about the past year.

Shareholders, employees and guests who do not attend the live event can watch online through a link of Walmart’s corporate website.

Walmart recently held in Houston its year-beginning meeting with managers, following two years of conducting the meeting virtually. The retail titan also called its corporate workers back to their offices this month and is starting to resume corporate travel.

Walmart has not yet said if it will bring in employees from around the world for this year’s shareholder celebration. Prior to COVID, the company would bring in around 2,000 employees from operations around the world to take part in training and enrichment activities the week of the event.

Walmart will file its end of year proxy with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission next month that will contain more proposal details for shareholders.