Photos: Highlights of Starbucks 2019 Annual Meeting

The first Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1993 was just a small gathering in a downtown Seattle hotel conference room, with a slide presentation and stack of tri-fold brochures. On March 20, 2019, the event drew a crowd of thousands to WaMu Theater in downtown Seattle where guests could rake coffee in a simulated drying patio, immerse in video playing on screens from coffee farms and sample some of Starbucks latest beverages and food. Here is a visual summary of the event as captured by Starbucks Stories.
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People line up during the Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Wednesday March 20, 2019 at WaMu Theater. Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks Stories -
Coffee is ready for guests to scoop during the Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Wednesday March 20, 2019 at WaMu.Connor Surdi/Starbucks Stories

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders featured Starbucks leaders offering updates on the business and future initiatives as well as goals, stories, films and, of course, a special musical guest.

Coffee tastings are a key feature of Starbucks meetings. This year, shareholders smelled, slurped and tasted Starbucks Pike Place® Roast during annual meeting. Here’s what it took to serve coffee to thousands:
- 13 pouring stations
- 104 pounds of Starbucks Pike Place® Roast coffee
- 162 hawking trays
- 265 volunteers
- 2,608 short recyclable and compostable cups
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Military members had front-row seats. Connor Surdi/Starbucks Stories -
Kevin Johnson, Starbucks chief executive officer, speaks on stage.Lindsey Wasson/for Starbucks Stories -
Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson asks a question during the Q & A.John Edwards/for Starbucks Stories

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Coffee is handed out to people for the coffee tasting. Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks Stories -
Kevin Johnson serves coffee to military members seated in the front row.Lindsey Wasson/for Starbucks Stories
“She is one of the best lyrical storytellers in music today, a woman who combines her art with her personal mission.”
-Kevin Johnson, introducing special musical guest Brandi Carlile

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Brandi Carlile tells the story behind one of her songs. John Edwards/for Starbucks Stories -
Kevin Johnson thanks Brandi Carlile.Lindsey Wasson/for Starbucks Stories
