"Entertaining" Starbucks annual shareholders meeting is a quick sell-out

The company has angered some stockholders who wanted to attend its annual meeting Feb. 9 but are finding they'll be excluded from the popular event because every seat at the Seattle Center's McCaw Hall is already reserved. "I'm mad, and I'm disappointed," says one shareholder. "I called within one hour of getting my proxy statement, and I was too late." WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? "The way they do the meeting is entertaining. It's an event. And you get a free cup of coffee." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Comments

[Cunning Stunt]

I understand being disappointed, but the amount of pouting and moaning froms some of the investors (gauging from reaction on some message boards) is incredible. My favorite was the guy who said he submitted a complaint to the FTC about it. I should have replied asking for his address so I could call for a WAAAAAAAHmbulance.

Having said that, I should also disclose that I was one of the lucky five thousand who got seats in the main hall. Neener neener!

[CoffeeBoy]

Call me silly; but as a shareholder, I would rather they spend the money on growth and expansion then paying for a bigger venue for the shareholders meeting.

If all the whinning investors want is a party, sell some of your shares, which you have made a bundle on, and throw yourself a party!

[Ahmad Fuad]

Hello
Can you verify this ARTICLE
IS IT TRUE STARBUCKS SUPPORT ISRAEL..????????????
If it is, I will never ever go to Starbucks again

NEVER. AND I WILL TELL ALL MY FRIENDS.
---------------------------------tq

>Subject: A Thank you To All Starbucks Customers- Amessage from Howard
>Schultz Chairman & Chief Global Strategist
>
>
>
>Please the read this article dated 11 July 2006 written by Howard
>Schultz Chairman & Chief Global Strategist Starbucks Coffee Stores. It
>tells where our money goes every time we visit Starbucks Coffee House!
>
>
>
>(article copied from > http://www.ziopedia.org/content/view/578/1/)
>

[Ahmad Fuad]

Hello again. I read your posting below

I think the posting is not convincing enough.
We can see Howard Schultz photo in the report
Please do somthing more convincing to proof your response below.

Thank you

June 7, 2006
Starbucks Rumor Response

You may have heard a rumor about Howard Schultz, Starbucks and the Israeli army. The rumor is false. Neither chairman Howard Schultz nor Starbucks fund or support the Israeli Army.

Starbucks is a non-political organization and does not support individual political causes.

[mic]

What a lie, I was a member with Starbucks and I know they support Israel, don't be lying to people...just after the war on Lebanon they sent every member with Starbucks to raise fund for Israel. Since then I stopped being a member and I will never go to Starbucks>
Here are some proofs Mr.Ahmad Fuad:

http://www.inminds.co.uk/boycott-starbucks.html

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_howard_schultz.htm

I guess you should read more before saying anything Mr. Ahmad Fuad

[wsdave]

Starbucks has NEVER asked it's partners to give money or raise funds for Isreal, and I await ANY proof of it(a copy of an E-mail or letter that went out to the company would be great).

On a better note, all partners in the Lebanon stores have been accounted for.

[Dave Raynor]

I have been a shareholder in Starbucks since 1996. It has been a wonderful choice but I'm just curious. How much longer do you anticipate Starbucks stock tanking? At the current rate it will go down to a split rate with no split. I am seriously considering dumping it all if something doesn't change.

[stoo]

do you need to reserve a seat this year or was it just last year?

i'm thinking about attending the meeting (from Vancouver) and don't want to go if there's no chance of attending the main meeting....

[Mr. H]

A few of the above comments must come from people like COFFEEBOY who have their head stuck deeply into the sand! Do I believe Starbucks supports Israel as a company...I doubt it! But if they did, so what! Would they be any different than thousands of other companies that for one reason or another support something or someone or a political party? Israel is the ONLY country in the middle east with which we in the western world have anything in common.
Do you know what that is????
DEMOCRACY my friend!! Yes, yes, yes! They share the same freedoms we do! They don't get locked up or shot there because they buy a different brand of coffee, have a different religious view, cut or don't cut their hair, or wear green pants. So, exersise your right and go across the street and buy coffee there...and who knows, they might support Communism...ummm would that make you happy? :)
Happy Lattes!

[Laurie Ross Clements]

The bigger a company becomes the smaller they need to act.
Rapid expansion of Starbucks has lowered the consistant quality of the product. But lets be honest the phenomenon was not as much about the product but the experience. Sadly, the Starbucks coffee houses have become generic at best.
In my opinon, what needs to happen instead of continuing to expand, Starbucks needs to revamp existing stores. The first thing that needs to happen is each Starbucks should always be original in decor. The cookie cutter Starbucks remind me of a fast Food franchaise with better paint colors. Starbucks should focus on tieing into the community. What better way than refurbishing historic or original buildings whenever possible. This would provide instant character, as well as, contributing to the existing community. Starbucks should launch a new campaign - Coffee With A Cause, with a percentage of each beverage benefiting local causes. Each region should have a promotional manager to get the Starbucks name out in the community sponsoring local events. Another idea is to have acoustic music nights featuring local artists. A CD can be cut from these performances with local proceeds going to local public school music programs and sold at area Starbucks. The competition in this catagory has heated up. Give us a reason to choose Starbucks over the competition. Even as a stockholder, I find myself straying to a more original coffee house enviroment.

I wrote a simliar email to Starbucks Attn Howard Shultz. As you can guess, I received a generic big company like response.
Regardless, I am cheering Starbucks on and confident with some changes can recapture the market with their powerful brand.

Laurie

[Coldexistence]

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