1. Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference
Sun Valley, Idaho
#1 Business & Financial Industry Event
The 34th edition of the exclusive, five-day gathering of media and business moguls—hosted and funded by private investment firm Allen & Company—was rocked by the #MeToo movement this year. Conference regular Harvey Weinstein was left off the invite list, while Charlie Rose, who was still invited, skipped the event after being fired from CBS and PBS over sexual harassment allegations. Summit guests included Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, Shari Redstone, and Rupert Murdoch. Next: Summer 2019
#1 Business & Financial Industry Event
The 34th edition of the exclusive, five-day gathering of media and business moguls—hosted and funded by private investment firm Allen & Company—was rocked by the #MeToo movement this year. Conference regular Harvey Weinstein was left off the invite list, while Charlie Rose, who was still invited, skipped the event after being fired from CBS and PBS over sexual harassment allegations. Summit guests included Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, Shari Redstone, and Rupert Murdoch. Next: Summer 2019
Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
2. Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Summit
Washington
#2 Business & Financial Industry Event
The ninth edition of the annual summit, which hosts lawmakers and policy experts, presented the theme “Debt Matters,” examining the need for a fiscal reset following tax and spending legislation that added to the national debt. Speakers included House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Senators Jeff Flake and David Perdue. Next: May 2019
#2 Business & Financial Industry Event
The ninth edition of the annual summit, which hosts lawmakers and policy experts, presented the theme “Debt Matters,” examining the need for a fiscal reset following tax and spending legislation that added to the national debt. Speakers included House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Senators Jeff Flake and David Perdue. Next: May 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Peter G. Peterson Foundation
3. Sohn Investment Conference
New York
#3 Business & Financial Industry Event
The Sohn Conference Foundation’s 23rd annual investment conference, a go-to event for notable hedge-fund managers to unveil new investment ideas, debuted the new Ira Sohn Stock Game. The fantasy stock game gave players one million tokens worth of fantasy capital to construct an investment portfolio—the $100 donation to participate went to the foundation’s mission of treating pediatric cancer, and the player with the highest performing portfolio was awarded two complimentary tickets to attend the 2019 edition. Since the conference's launch in 1995, it has raised more than $85 million for the foundation's work. Next: April 2019
#3 Business & Financial Industry Event
The Sohn Conference Foundation’s 23rd annual investment conference, a go-to event for notable hedge-fund managers to unveil new investment ideas, debuted the new Ira Sohn Stock Game. The fantasy stock game gave players one million tokens worth of fantasy capital to construct an investment portfolio—the $100 donation to participate went to the foundation’s mission of treating pediatric cancer, and the player with the highest performing portfolio was awarded two complimentary tickets to attend the 2019 edition. Since the conference's launch in 1995, it has raised more than $85 million for the foundation's work. Next: April 2019
Photo: Heidi Gutman/CNBC
4. Roth Conference
Los Angeles
#4 Business & Financial Industry Event (up from #5)
The 30th annual invite-only event for finance professionals, hosted by investment banking firm Roth Capital Partners, drew more than 4,700 attendees to the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Executives from more than 500 companies made presentations at the event’s daytime sessions, while high-profile performers, including Pat Benatar, performed at the conference’s evening events, which were produced by Elite Productions International. This year, Roth reached its $1 million mark in contributions for the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation, a nonprofit the conference has raised money for since 2011.
#4 Business & Financial Industry Event (up from #5)
The 30th annual invite-only event for finance professionals, hosted by investment banking firm Roth Capital Partners, drew more than 4,700 attendees to the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Executives from more than 500 companies made presentations at the event’s daytime sessions, while high-profile performers, including Pat Benatar, performed at the conference’s evening events, which were produced by Elite Productions International. This year, Roth reached its $1 million mark in contributions for the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation, a nonprofit the conference has raised money for since 2011.
Photo: Sage Justice
5. Milken Institute Global Conference
Los Angeles
#5 Business & Financial Industry Event
The Milken Institute’s 21st annual gathering drew more than 5,000 attendees from more than 60 countries to see a diverse lineup of world leaders and public figures speak on the topic of “Navigating a World in Transition.” This year’s speaker roster included Jane Goodall, Tom Brady, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, editor and author Arianna Huffington, and actress and #MeToo activist Ashley Judd. Next: Spring 2019
#5 Business & Financial Industry Event
The Milken Institute’s 21st annual gathering drew more than 5,000 attendees from more than 60 countries to see a diverse lineup of world leaders and public figures speak on the topic of “Navigating a World in Transition.” This year’s speaker roster included Jane Goodall, Tom Brady, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, editor and author Arianna Huffington, and actress and #MeToo activist Ashley Judd. Next: Spring 2019
Photo: Amy Mayes for the Milken Institute
