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Warren Buffett will not appear on stage at the 2026 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, allowing his successor Greg Abel to take center stage for the first time. Buffett, 94, recently announced that he would step down as CEO in 2026. The Omaha World-Herald reported on the decision.

Warren Buffett, the legendary CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has announced that he will not appear on stage at the 2026 annual meeting, marking a significant shift in the company's leadership. Instead, Greg Abel, Buffett's chosen successor, will take center stage for the first time. This change comes after Buffett's recent announcement that he will step down as CEO at the end of this year, a decision that has been widely anticipated but still has significant implications for the company and its shareholders.

The Omaha World-Herald reported that Buffett will retain his role as chairman of the board and will be seated on the floor with the rest of the company's board of directors during the Q&A session. This is a departure from the tradition of Buffett and Charlie Munger sharing the stage, with Munger's death in 2023 leading to the change. Abel, who has been overseeing the daily operations of the non-insurance subsidiaries since 2018, will be the one answering shareholders' questions.

Buffett's decision to step aside as CEO was met with both anticipation and emotion during the 2025 annual meeting. Shareholders were surprised but also supportive of the change, with many expressing their respect for Buffett's decision. The meeting was filled with an atmosphere of both sadness and excitement, as shareholders realized that a new era was beginning for Berkshire Hathaway.

The 2026 annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, with the Q&A session in the morning and exhibits opening on Friday afternoon, May 1. Other events, such as the Borsheims shareholder-only shopping and NFM's picnic, will also take place. The full agenda will be released in the 2026 annual letter and report, which will presumably be written by Abel.

The stock market has reacted to Buffett's announcement, with the stock trading about 5% down since the announcement but still up 25% for the year. This suggests that investors are cautiously optimistic about the transition and the future of Berkshire Hathaway under Abel's leadership.

In conclusion, the 2026 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting will mark a significant milestone in the company's history. While Buffett's absence from the stage will be noticeable, the meeting is expected to be a smooth transition with Abel taking the reins. Shareholders are encouraged to attend and participate in the Q&A session to get a firsthand look at the new leadership and the future direction of the company.

References:
[1] https://omaha.com/news/local/business/article_b221da8d-d5e3-48c0-9298-9633490c5d07.html