GREEN BAY – With the early start in Brazil, the Packers kicked off their 2024 training camp with a double feature of the team's first practice in the morning and the annual shareholders meeting in the afternoon.

It set the table for a vibrant day around Lambeau Field with an estimated 4,000 fans watching practice at Nitschke Field and 7,676 attending the shareholders meeting inside the stadium bowl. The Packers reported another 1,400 owners watched the meeting online.

Following the meeting, President/CEO Mark Murphy told reporters that turnout pleasantly surpassed the 5,700 the Packers anticipated. He also praised the practice crowd for being "the best I've seen it ever at one of our practices."

"It was palpable," Murphy said. "Just seeing the excitement. I think the way the season ended last year, people are really excited about the upcoming season and just optimistic that this could be a pretty good year for us."

Fans in attendance had a chance to pass through the renovated concourses on the way to the meeting, while getting updates from Murphy on the state of the franchise and some of the organization's recent land acquisitions around Lambeau Field.

On the football front, Murphy commended Head Coach Matt LaFleur and General Manager Brian Gutekunst for helping propel the NFL's youngest team back to the postseason after a one-year absence.

Murphy also praised quarterback Jordan Love for his leadership and expressed faith in the Packers' front office to secure a long-term deal with their franchise QB, who sat out practice on Monday as his representation works toward a contract extension with Green Bay.

"We want to get a deal done," Murphy said. "I know Jordan and his representatives want to get a deal done and I'm optimistic that we'll be able to work something out. I have a lot of respect for Jordan (and) the way he's handled himself."

Murphy also voiced excitement for the Packers hosting the NFL Draft in 2025 and the organization's future behind President/CEO-elect Ed Policy, who was tapped to succeed Murphy once he formally retires in July 2025 when he turns 70, the mandatory retirement age for the position as required by organization by-laws.

There were several moments throughout the meeting when fans shouted thanks to Murphy, whose tenure has seen the Packers make 12 playoff appearances, five NFC title games and capture the franchise's fourth Lombardi Trophy with a victory in Super Bowl XLV.

"It definitely had a different feel knowing it's my last or next-to-last shareholders meeting, but very appreciative of the fan support that we get," Murphy said. "Our fans, I think because of our ownerships structure and this meeting shows it more than anything else, they have such a stronger connection to the team than the fans of other teams do."

Another significant change comes on the executive committee, where Michael Simmer will succeed Susan Finco as lead director.

Finco, who served the past 24 years on the Packers' board of directors, was the first female to be elected to both the executive committee and its lead director. Finco also was the chairperson of the search committee that identified Policy as Murphy's successor.

"She's a really talented woman," said Murphy of Finco. "She had a long career as a newscaster and then started her own public relations firm. I've really enjoyed working with her."

Succeeding Simmer as treasure is Karl Schmidt while Michael Barber was added as a member-at-large on the executive committee. UWGB president Michael Alexander and local broadcaster Bill Jartz were voted onto the board of directors, with Tom Cardella and Packers Hall of Fame safety Johnnie Gray taking on emeritus status.

Murphy said it's uncertain whether the Packers will continue to pair the shareholders meeting with the first practice of training camp, but he was pleased with the crowd response and how the day unfolded.

"Overall, I thought it was a good meeting," Murphy said. "We've got to take some time to evaluate and figure out if it makes sense going forward, but I think it was definitely worth the experiment. I think the crowd at the shareholder meeting was one of the best we've had in recent years."