Every July, the most powerful figures in global technology, media, and finance converge in a small Idaho ski resort and conduct business — informally, by invitation only, with no press and no agenda made public. The Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference has shaped deals, partnerships, and the direction of industries since 1983. It is, by any measure, the most exclusive gathering in American business.
LXV cannot secure invitations to the Conference itself — that is Allen & Company's domain. What LXV can do is build the perfect Sun Valley week around it: lodging that does not sell out in August, golf at one of America's finest mountain courses, and access to the informal social layer that surrounds the event. Register your interest below.
What Is the Sun Valley Conference?
Founded in 1983 by Herbert Allen Jr., the CEO of Allen & Company, the conference is formally an investment banking retreat. In practice it is something far broader: a four-day gathering of roughly 300 of the most influential figures in technology, media, entertainment, sports, finance, and government, held at the Sun Valley Lodge under an informal code of discretion.
There are no public sessions, no livestreams, and no press access beyond a small media pen at the arrivals area. Attendees are there to talk. The deals that result — some of the largest in media and tech history — are announced weeks or months later.
Who Attends
Past and regular attendees have included the CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Netflix, and Disney; major media executives and studio heads; prominent financiers and private equity figures; political leaders; sports franchise owners; and select journalists from major institutions. The guest list is curated by Allen & Company and changes each year.
Warren Buffett was a regular for decades. More recently, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, and Sundar Pichai have been among those pictured arriving at Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey.
Sun Valley: The Setting
Sun Valley, Idaho is one of America's great mountain destinations, situated in the Wood River Valley beneath Bald Mountain in Blaine County. Developed in the 1930s as America's first purpose-built ski resort, it operates year-round as a world-class resort town with exceptional summer programming.
The Sun Valley Lodge — a National Historic Landmark opened in 1936 — is the social and physical center of the Conference. In July, the broader Valley is at its most beautiful: warm days, cool nights, wildflowers in bloom, and the Snake River running full through the high desert.
Golf at Sun Valley
The Sun Valley Golf Course is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design set against the mountains, running through meadows and alongside the Big Wood River. Elevation of 5,700 feet means shots fly farther and fairways are firm. The setting — ringed by the Sawtooth and Pioneer ranges — is unlike any golf course in the country.
Private tee times, caddie arrangements, and post-round experiences (fly fishing on Silver Creek, horseback through the Valley) can be coordinated by LXV for Conference week and the surrounding days.
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Allen & Co. Conference | Early–mid July 2026 (invitation only) |
| Sun Valley Golf Course | Robert Trent Jones Jr., 6,954 yards, par 72 |
| Silver Creek Fly Fishing | One of the world's great spring-creek fisheries |
| Trail Creek Cabin | Sun Valley's historic outdoor dining venue |
| Sawtooth Wilderness | Hiking, rafting, and guided outdoor experiences |
Sun Valley in context: The Conference draws attendees whose schedules are among the most protected in the world. They come to Sun Valley because the setting itself encourages a different kind of conversation. Golf, fly fishing, and hiking are not incidental — they are the medium. LXV can ensure every hour outside the Conference room is exceptional.
Planning Around Conference Week
Sun Valley's lodging is limited. The Sun Valley Lodge and Sun Valley Inn fill with Conference guests and their extended parties. Alternatives include privately owned vacation homes (available through concierge rental services), the nearby town of Ketchum, and properties in Hailey, 12 miles south.
LXV recommends planning Sun Valley accommodation at least six months in advance for Conference week. The town of Ketchum offers an exceptional dining scene for a mountain resort — among the best food per capita of any small town in the West.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can LXV get me into the Allen & Company Conference?
No. Invitations to the Conference itself are controlled exclusively by Allen & Company and are not commercially available. LXV can, however, make the most of everything surrounding it — accommodation, golf, outdoor activities, dining, and the informal social layer of Sun Valley during Conference week.
When is the 2026 Sun Valley Conference?
The conference takes place in early-to-mid July each year. Specific 2026 dates will not be formally announced — they rarely are. Attendees typically receive invitations 4–6 weeks in advance. Plan for the first two weeks of July.
What is Sun Valley like in July?
Ideal. Warm days (75–85°F), cool nights (50s), low humidity, and almost no rain. The valley is in full summer bloom. The mountains are accessible by foot, bike, and horse. The golf course is in peak condition. It is genuinely one of the finest months to be in the American West.
How do I get to Sun Valley?
Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Hailey receives daily jet service from major hubs (LAX, SFO, DEN, SLC). During Conference week, the small airport sees the highest concentration of private aircraft in the country. Commercial seats are limited — private charter from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Denver is strongly recommended.
