Hundreds Private Jets Arrive Sun Valley for Annual Billionaire Summit

The annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, known as "billionaire summer camp," convened again in Sun Valley, Idaho, bringing together media, finance, and tech moguls amid an entertainment industry facing AI-driven disruption. The event attracted high-profile attendees such as Disney CEO Bob Iger, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, with private jets flooding the local Friedman Memorial Airport, making it the busiest week of the year for the region. The conference, held behind closed doors, is renowned for its dealmaking impact, historically influencing significant mergers like Disney's acquisition of ABC and Comcast's purchase of NBCUniversal. Airport officials coordinate extensively with the FAA to manage the influx of 150-190 corporate jets during the conference, which also features leisure activities like hiking, golf, and rafting. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, discussions about potential mergers and acquisitions are expected, especially as executives grapple with streaming competition and production challenges, such as Apple's manufacturing shifts amid political pressures. The event continues to be a key networking hub for major business deals and strategic partnerships in media and technology.