My Trip to the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting

1. Omaha remains the top spot for long-term investors.

2. Buffett stressed patience, simplicity, and avoiding mistakes.

3. Side events and casual talks offered real insight.

4. Berkshire’s core ideas still work, even in today’s market.

5. The trip reinforced why smart, slow investing matters.

Why Omaha Still Matters

Every May, I join thousands of investors in Omaha. This year felt different. Warren Buffett took the stage without Charlie Munger for the second time since Charlie passed away. The room was quieter, more thoughtful. But wow - 40,000 people still showed up! We all came because we believe in the same simple ideas: buy good companies at fair prices, be patient, and use common sense. Being there wasn't just about hearing Warren speak. It was about being part of something real in a market that often feels crazy.

My Days in Omaha

I got up super early on Saturday - 4 AM was my plan, but I ended up arriving at 5 AM, which was actually too late! (Usually I arrive at 4-4:30, and this was my third time attending.) I wanted to secure a great seat, which was quite troublesome, but I managed to sit close to people I admire like Guy Spier and Chuck Akre. The conversations in the line that morning were fantastic - that's one of the hidden benefits of showing up early!

I actually visited the exhibit hall on Friday, which is like Berkshire Hathaway come to life. I sampled chocolates at See's Candies, tried on Brooks running shoes, and checked out all the companies Berkshire owns. On Saturday at 7 AM, we all moved to the arena. Warren, now 94, still speaks with the same wisdom and dry humor that makes him special. We stayed until late afternoon, hanging on every word about investing, leadership, and the big picture. No fancy jargon - just straight talk.

What Warren Taught Me This Year

The biggest lesson wasn't some hot stock tip or market prediction. It was Warren's reminder to keep things simple. He still thinks regular people should just buy index funds and stay the course. He also talked about Berkshire's massive cash pile - now at $347.7 billion! The big news this year was Buffett announcing he would step down as CEO at the end of the year, with Greg Abel taking over. Even though Buffett looked very healthy, this move takes away the uncertainty about his age and prevents major stock shocks. He's waiting to spend that cash because there aren't enough good deals right now. That kind of patience - sometimes waiting years - is hard. But seeing Warren stick to his guns makes me think I can do it too. He reminded me that the real risk isn't when stocks bounce around - it's getting overconfident or making bad decisions.

The Best Conversations Happen Between Events

While Warren is the main attraction, I learned just as much between sessions. Over coffee, I met a fund manager from Canada who shared how he builds confidence in smaller companies. During dinner, I talked with a young investor from India building her first portfolio. I even bumped into another newsletter writer who reads shareholder letters for fun! We're all different, but we share the same mindset - thoughtful, humble, and focused on the long-term. That's what brings us together.

Cool Side Events You Shouldn't Miss

The weekend has grown into its own festival with tons of extra events. To me, this feels almost like an industry expo rather than just an annual meeting. I attended the Gabelli Conference and the famous Markel brunch, plus many more private gatherings. Some events are big and well-known, while others are small and personal - breakfast meetups, hotel lobby chats, and private dinners set up through a few messages. My favorite was a roundtable where we compared notes on international opportunities and how media is changing investing. These casual moments often teach me more than the official program - all while enjoying good food and great conversation.

Does Buffett's Approach Still Work in 2025?

With Charlie gone and Warren preparing to hand things over to Greg Abel, it's fair to ask if Buffett's way still makes sense. After this weekend, I'm convinced it does. In fact, it might matter more now than ever. When everyone else is chasing the next shiny object, Warren's focus on strong businesses, steady cash flow, and honest leadership feels like solid ground. Greg Abel spoke with quiet confidence. Ajit Jain explained GEICO's future clearly. The team is strong. And the core ideas haven't changed: Buy what you understand. Don't overpay. Be patient. Avoid silly mistakes. These principles still work - even if fewer people follow them these days.

Why This All Matters

This trip reminded me why I fell in love with investing. It's not about chasing trends or making quick money. It's about thinking long-term, surrounding yourself with smart, curious people, and sticking to what makes sense. That's the Buffett way. And after my weekend in Omaha, I believe in it more than ever.

Got thoughts or questions about the meeting? Email me! And if you think a friend would enjoy this, please share it with them.

Happy investing!
Josh

The information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. Do your own research.