Each year, the week after Independence Day, the center of the business and media worlds focuses in on Sun Valley, for the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference.
Approaching its 40th anniversary, the private investment firm has long brought together leaders in media, technology, general business, and politics to listen to speakers, schmooze and enjoy the Wood River Valley.
Media industry publication Variety got a look at the guest list, and as in years past, it is loaded down with big names.
Usually, the Kitzbuhler Strasse in front of the Sun Valley Inn is open for a stroll – but during the annual Allen & Co. event, the area is shrouded by portable bushes and big guys with earpieces. Photo: Don Day/BoiseDev file
This year’s list includes Idaho Gov. Brad Little, the only entrant on the list detailed by Variety whose primary work focuses on Idaho. Other standouts include Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who hopes to buy Twitter, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and more. The list of invites doesn’t guarantee any individual will ultimately show up at the conference.
The event is typically secretive and high-security, closing down portions of the Sun Valley Resort to the public. If it follows the pattern of past years, the conference would start on Wednesday, July 6th, and run through the weekend.
As BoiseDev has reported in the past, the conference brings an economic boost to Idaho, as well as national media attention that can pay dividends for tourism.
“I think any time Idaho is mentioned with this category of individual, whether it’s from an economic development perspective or a travel and tourism perspective, it’s obviously good for us,” Idaho Dept. of Commerce Marketing and Innovation Administrator Matt Borud told BoiseDev in 2019.
Don is the founder and publisher of BoiseDev. He is a National Edward R. Murrow Award winner and a Stanford University John S. Knight Fellow. Contact him at [email protected].
