Quick Take: Arriving in Omaha

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Yesterday, sporting my "Warren is my dawg" T-shirt, I flew into Omaha for the annual Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B) shareholder meeting. I was far from alone -- it's expected that attendance will top last year's 24,000.

Though the focus of the weekend is today's shareholder meeting and five hours of Q&A with Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, there are other activities for shareholders throughout the weekend. The Friday night warm-up for the weekend was a cocktail reception at Borsheim's, the massive Omaha jeweler that rivals the world-renowned Tiffany (NYSE: TIF).

To be frank, though, "cocktail reception" is probably a bit of a misnomer. The event takes place inside Borsheim's and spills out into the Regency Court Mall -- which was closed to outsiders for the event -- as well as out behind the mall, where a huge tent had been set up. The event had the feeling of a spring festival mixed with the warm, easy air of a massive family picnic. A band was set up to play inside the mall, and another was rocking and rolling in the overcrowded tent.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) products flowed like water -- not surprising when you consider that Berkshire's largest stock holding is in Coke. And while attendees enjoyed their food and beverages, they were free to roam around Borsheim's, which was manned with an army of salespeople, ready to help everyone take advantage of their shareholder discounts.

The sense of community that has sprung up around this company is truly impressive. But it makes sense, too, when your CEO has the largest ownership position, pays himself $100,000 a year, and is a notoriously straight shooter with his shareholders. The stratospheric rise in Berkshire's stock price from the mid-'60s to today helps, too.

Go back to Matt's original report to keep up with the news as it unfolds from the annual meeting.

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Fool contributor Matt Koppenheffer does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned. You can visit Matt on the Fool's CAPS service, or check out his CAPS blog. The Fool's disclosure policy always enjoys a good Omaha steak.