Annual meeting in store, literally

Target’s annual meeting this year promises to be more interesting than normal due to the battle over board seats, but it won’t be easy to get to, or find out what went on, due to the location and some company restrictions. The meeting is being held in a store that is under construction about 30 miles west of Milwaukee. The venue, according to the company, allows for the latest general merchandise store design to be showcased. Or, parts of it anyway. The store isn’t scheduled to open until July, but will be in the later stages of construction when the meeting takes place. Shareholders wishing to attend the event are required to contact Target’s investor relations department to reserve a ticket which can be picked up at the meeting. If there shares are held by a broker, Target wants to see a copy of a statement and the request for admittance must be in writing. And don’t wait until the last minute, as all ticket requests must be received three days prior to the meeting.

As for the meeting itself, there will be prepared remarks by chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel, followed by a live, interactive question and answer session with senior executives. However, cameras and recording devices are not permitted at the meeting and there is no indication at this point whether the event will be Web cast.

Get real. This is the Internet age where even Congressmen are Twittering during presidential address. It seem ridiculous to prohibit cameras and recording devices, as the content shared at the meeting should be made available to as broad an audience as possible.