Events
Virtual Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of INDUS: A look behind the scenes
Punctually at 10.30 a.m. on August 13, 2020, the countdown counts down and INDUS starts its first virtual Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. Even though the usual trailer opens the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, many things are different on this day than in previous years. Only a small part of the supervisory board, the executive board and the notary are sitting in a television studio in Cologne-Ossendorf and are captured by the cameras. The other Supervisory Board members and up to 200 viewers follow the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting online.
Due to the corona pandemic, INDUS also has to hold its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting virtually this year. Such a virtual format is uncharted territory for INDUS, as we always attach great importance to personal exchange at our events. The organisation of such a virtual meeting was in many places explorative and no less elaborate than the well-known presence event in Cologne. The HV team dealt with many technical and legal challenges and could also rely on the support of external service providers. A close exchange via telephone and video conferences facilitates the work between all responsible persons.
During the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, the technicians are in particular demand: image, sound and lighting technicians, camera personnel and web developers ensure that both the online service for our shareholders and the transmission in image and sound work properly. Smooth shooting is guaranteed by a detailed director’s plan, in which charts and camera angles are precisely recorded. The camera work must be well planned, especially when answering the questions and changing the speakers.
By the way, we were very pleased about the lively participation regarding our question section. The Management Board and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board answered all 79 questions submitted. Many of the questions were only submitted on the last possible day via the online service, which INDUS has incidentally been offering for some years now, and then prepared by the respective experts. We published my speech on August 6, 2020 so that our shareholders could respond to the latest information when they had questions.
After about three hours, the last chart is streamed and the first virtual Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of INDUS comes to an end. Relief in front and behind the camera is spreading. Under the special circumstances, the 2020 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting was a complete success. Nevertheless, we hope to welcome you again personally next year.
Best regards,
Yours Dr. Johannes Schmidt
Dr.-Ing. Johannes Schmidt
Dr. Johannes Schmidt studied applied mathematics and obtained his doctorate for Dr.-Ing. in the department of mechanics. He has been a member of the Board of Management of Indus since 2006 and has taken over the chairmanship of the Executive Board by July 1, 2018.