2016 Shareholders Meeting

 

Green Bay Packers Shareholders Meeting day at Lambeau Field began with a monsoon storm, but since it would take place rain or shine, it didn’t really matter. The meeting did start a half hour late, as they were waiting for lightning to leave the area before they let us into the stadium “bowl.”

Here are the views,  both ways, from our seats on about the 40 yard line.

The crowd was down a bit this year, mostly due to the weather, we imagine. 

Looking at the directors’ stage, with us seated a few rows above an entrance tunnel.

GM Ted Thompson gives the football report, which most see as the highlight. Also very interesting is the report by team president Mark Murphy about issues around the league and trends for the future. 

By the end of the meeting, the sun came out, and the heat rose to the levels they were predicting. 

The post-storm clouds this evening.

Some meeting notes:

• Thursday's shareholder turnout was smaller than normal because of predictions of high temperatures and a line of severe thunderstorms that moved through the area before the meeting. Rain delayed the meeting for a half hour, but it also made the temperature lower than the predicted 90 degrees with 105-degree heat index. The temperature was 75 degrees when the meeting started. About 8,200 people attended Thursday, compared to nearly 12,000 last year.

• The Packers have applied to be the host city for the NFL Draft in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The NFL selected Chicago to host the 2015 and 2016 drafts. Philadelphia currently appears to be the front-runner for 2017.

• The team will not participate in a game in China to open the 2018 season. They are open to playing in London, but will not sacrifice a home game to do so.

• The Tundra Tailgate Zone in the stadium parking lot will transition from a seasonal fixture to a permanent promenade in time for the 2017 season. Packers President Mark Murphy noted one contributing factor in the organization’s decision was the number of people who are coming to the stadium without tickets to simply watch games at the Tundra Tailgate Zone.

• One of the most popular announcements of the day was a partnership between the Packers and Patrick Cudahy on a new bacon-themed concession stand. It immediately was met with cheers.

• Murphy said the popularity of Lambeau Field continues to grow. Last year, a record 175,000 fans took stadium tours, topping by 40,000 the record set the year after the Packers won Super Bowl XLV. He said the team is on track to top 175,000 this year.

• The Packers recapped a number of issues already reported, including record $408.7 million in revenue, community contributions and development of the 35-acre Titletown District, which will include Lodge Kohler hotel, Hinterland Brewery, a Bellin Health clinic and a public park and plaza. Also, shareholders approved adding Marcia Anderson to the board of directors, bringing the total to 43, as well as re-electing 14 others.

— Sources: Green Bay media and Packers.com