Billionaires' Residential Destinations in Sun Valley
**A Gathering of Titans: The Allen & Co. Conference at Sun Valley Resort**
Nestled in the heart of Idaho, Sun Valley Resort has been a hub of luxury and exclusivity since its inception in 1936. Originally conceived by W. Averell Harriman, the resort was designed to be America's first luxury ski resort, and it has since become a playground for the world's elite.
The resort's charm and allure were quickly discovered by Count Felix von Schaffgotsch in 1936, who found its unique features to be on par with those of Swiss and Austrian resorts. Sun Valley was completed in just seven months at a cost of $1.5 million, a sum equivalent to around $35 million today.
Before its association with the Allen & Co. conference, Sun Valley was a haven for Hollywood stars and literary figures. One of the most notable visitors was Ernest Hemingway, who spent his final years nearby in Ketchum. The resort's exclusivity has always drawn prominent visitors.
Since 1983, Sun Valley has hosted the annual Allen & Co. conference, a secretive gathering of global business leaders, often referred to as "summer camp for billionaires." The conference is a platform for deal-making and networking among the world's most influential figures in technology, media, and finance.
The conference attracts a wide range of notable figures, including tech leaders such as Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai, and Satya Nadella; media executives like Bob Iger, David Zaslav, and Ted Sarandos; and international business leaders like Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The conference in 2023 started on July 8 at Sun Valley Lodge.
Sun Valley Resort offers a variety of activities, from skiing in winter to plein air western pursuits in summer. It is a family-friendly destination for 360 days of the year. The resort's accommodation, Sun Valley Lodge, is where everyone stays during the Allen & Co. conference. The lodge offers suites with soaking tubs, fireplaces, and additional closet space.
Modern celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Demi Moore, Tom Hanks, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have homes in Sun Valley. Schwarzenegger, in fact, has a ski run named after him in the resort. Leena Kim, the Editor at Town & Country, covers various beats including travel, jewelry, style, arts and culture, education, and weddings. She has been with the magazine for 11 years.
The Allen & Co. conference at Sun Valley Resort remains a significant event for global business strategizing and networking, drawing in powerful figures from across industries. As the conference continues to grow and evolve, Sun Valley Resort remains a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, a place where deals are made and memories are created.
- The luxury and exclusivity of Sun Valley Resort has attracted not only global business leaders but also notable figures in the fashion industry, with Leena Kim, the Editor at Town & Country, covering various beats such as style, jewelry, and arts and culture.
- The resort, known for its association with the Allen & Co. conference, is a haven for art enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of modern and plein air western pursuits that echo the artistically inclined visitors it has hosted over the years, like Ernest Hemingway.
- ACurators of high-end jewelry and fashion may find inspiration in the resorts' luxurious settings, as their pieces would complement the lavish lifestyle and homes of celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Demi Moore, Tom Hanks, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who have chosen to make Sun Valley their permanent residence.
- For those interested in home-and-garden design, Sun Valley Resort presents an opportunity to admire the high-end interior decorations of the lodge, complete with suites featuring soaking tubs, fireplaces, and additional closet space.
- The resort's outsized influence on the tech industry can be traced back to the Allen & Co. conference, where deal-making and networking among the world's most influential figures in technology, media, and finance take place, mirroring the interweaving of these industries with entertainment and celebrity culture.
- The Allen & Co. conference at Sun Valley Resort is not just about work but also about leisure, with attendee celebrities engaging in activities such as skiing, entertaining at home, or making their mark in the resort itself, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose ski run bears his name.
- The resort's location in the heart of Idaho offers travelers a chance to experience art and culture beyond its grounds, with trips to nearby Idaho city museums and galleries providing a deeper understanding of local and regional artisans as well as their works.
- As the Allen & Co. conference continues to draw in prominent figures from across industries, Sun Valley Resort will undoubtedly remain a destination for those seeking a combination of luxury, exclusivity, and creative inspiration, with the stylish homes, fashionable events, and fine art all playing their part in shaping its enduring allure.