Ever wonder where the world’s most influential people and leaders network and share ideas? Believe it or not, it’s not always on a yacht in the Mediterranean or a members only club in Geneva. They rub elbows far from the public eye at some of the most exclusive and expensive conferences where speakers include world leaders, billionaires, tech moguls, and celebrities. Access to these conferences can come with a hefty price tag and are often invitation-only or have a long waitlist.
If money were no object, what conferences would you attend? We found ten cool conferences that you should definitely add to your bucket list.
1. The World Economic Forum (Davos)
Davos, Switzerland // January 2020
Cost: $70K – $210K
About: Global super trends and challenges such as global warming and the emergence of developing markets are discussed and examined at the World Economic Forum (Davos). A company must have annual revenue of at least one billion dollars to receive an invitation to attend.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Bono, Cate Blanchett, Malala Yousafzai, David Cameron
2. Milken Institute Global Conference
Los Angeles, California // April 28 – May 1, 2019
Cost: $15,000 – $50,000
About: At the Milken Institute Global Conference, almost 4,000 participants (including Nobel Prize winners) gather over four days to explore solutions to today’s most pressing challenges in financial markets, industry sectors, health, government, and education.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Reese Witherspoon, Jane Goodall, Joe Biden, Tom Brady
3. WSJ Tech D.LIVE
Laguna Beach, California // October 21-23, 2019
Cost: $6,500
About: WSJ Tech D.LIVE is the Wall Street Journal’s premier global technology event series where ambitious minds in business and government convene to break down borders, promote collaboration and look beyond the trade wars to fuel innovation and growth.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Systrom
4. TED Conference
Vancouver, Canada // April 15-19, 2019
Cost: $5,000 – $25,000
About: TED 2019 will be exploring technologies that evoke wonder and tantalize with superhuman powers; mind-bending science that will drive the future as significantly as any politician; the design of cities and other powerful human systems that shape our lives; awe-inspiring, mind-expanding creativity and most of all, the inspiring possibilities that happen when we ask what ideas are truly worth fighting for, worth living for.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Tony Robbins, Elizabeth Gilbert, David Blaine
5. The Human Gathering
Los Angeles, California // April 4-6, 2019
Cost: $3,995
About: The Human Gathering was created to bring together a select group of individuals who are dedicated to leaving a mark on the world, with access to the resources to do so. Unlike traditional events or conferences, every person who attends The Human Gathering has been curated by a host committee member.
Notable Guests/Speakers: List is confidential
6. Summit Series
Los Angeles, California // November 8-11, 2019
Cost: $3,000 to $5,500
About: Through a series of invitation-only events, Summit fosters a global community of entrepreneurs, academics, athletes, artists, astronauts, authors, chefs, engineers, explorers, philanthropists, spiritual leaders, scientists, and beyond. Additionally, the Summit Mountain Series offers a weekend getaway at Powder Mountain’s 10,000 acre resort in Eden, Utah.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Richard Branson and Bill Clinton
7. Aspen Ideas Festival
Aspen, Colorado // June 20-29, 2019
Cost: $2,000 – $3,800
About: The Aspen Ideas Festival is the nation’s premier, public gathering place for leaders from around the globe and across many disciplines to present and discuss the ideas and issues that both shape our lives and challenge our times.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Al Gore & John Kerry
8. PopTech
Camden, Maine // October 23-26, 2019
Cost: $2,000
About: PopTech’s annual conference is a convening of brilliant minds from all corners of the world. Not your traditional talking head fest, PopTech is an influential gathering that places high value on authentic human connection. As an attendee, you’ll take part in an immersive and enriching experience featuring the cutting edge presentations you have come to love, interactive sessions, shared meals, fireside chats in front of real fireplaces, late night debates, stargazing and music-making.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Malcolm Gladwell and John Legend
9. Web Summit
Lisbon, Portugal // November 4-7, 2019
Cost: $750 – $1,100
About: Since its first conference in 2008, Web Summit has grown from 400 attendees to over 70,000 attendees from more than 170 countries. No technology conference has ever grown so large so fast. Web Summit has become “Europe’s largest and most important technology marketplace”. An unrivalled global meeting place for the world’s most disruptive technology companies and those interested in how that disruption can transform their businesses and their lives.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Brad Smith, Gillian Tans, Ben Silbermann
10. F50
Silicon Valley, California // May 1, 2019
Cost: $600 – $4,000
About: Spearheaded by venture capitalist Peter Thiel, F50 identifies the most promising technology companies in North America by leveraging the collective intelligence of its deep roots of Silicon Valley-based developer and startup communities, the large reach of corporate partners and investor network, as well as industry experts.
Notable Guests/Speakers: Peter Thiel
Ready to start planning a conference that could make it on this top ten list? Start planning your next conference today on Events.com.
