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“Conferences are a great way to meet new people and learn new things. They can be a great source of inspiration, and you can learn a lot from the speakers and attendees.” – Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group.
If you have a lot of money and a thirst for knowledge, you might want to attend some of the most exclusive and expensive conferences in the world. These events are not for the faint of heart or the light of wallet. They offer access to influential speakers, cutting-edge ideas, and elite networks. But they also come with hefty price tags and strict invitation policies. Here are 5 conferences that will make you feel like royalty – if you can get in.
Some of the most exclusive and expensive conferences in the world are:
- TED Conference: This conference focuses on technology, entertainment and design. It costs $7,500 for an annual membership in 2014. Some of its notable speakers include Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Malala Yousafzai1.
- World Economic Forum: This conference gathers global leaders from business, politics and academia to discuss global issues. It costs $52,000 for a basic membership plus $19,000 per person to attend2. Some of its notable attendees include Angela Merkel, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump.
- Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference: This conference invites media moguls and tech tycoons to network and make deals. It costs around $100,000 per person to attend. Some of its notable guests include Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey.
- WSJ Tech D.LIVE: A technology conference where CEOs, founders, investors and innovators share insights and network. The cost is $10K per person.
- The Human Gathering: A curated community of leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and artists who connect and collaborate on meaningful projects. The cost is $15K per person.
These are just some examples of high-end conferences that attract influential people from different fields.
In addition to the actual cost of participation, it is necessary to take into account other expenses for the conference. For example, the fact that during major conferences the cost of housing in a given city increases significantly.
Airbnb prices have increased by 37% compared to pre-pandemic levels due to growing demand for larger homes outside of cities. Hotels have also raised their rates in response to inflation and travel recovery. Some examples of conferences that affect accommodation prices are:
- CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, which attracts over 170,000 attendees every year and causes hotel rates to surge by up to 300%.
- SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas, which draws over 400,000 visitors annually and leads to Airbnb prices doubling or tripling during the festival.
- Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, which hosts more than 70,000 participants from over 160 countries and results in hotel prices increasing by an average of 94%.
It is known that some famous speakers receive millions of dollars for their speeches. For example, in 2019, Forbes published a list of the highest-paid speakers, which included George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Katy Perry, Elton John, and others. However, the cost of their speeches at conferences was not specified.
Successful entrepreneurs tend to view conferences as valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and staying on top of industry trends. Some quotes to inspire you:
“Conferences are a great way to network and connect with other professionals in your field. You can learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights into your industry.” – Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook.
“Conferences can be incredibly valuable for entrepreneurs. They provide a unique opportunity to learn from experts, meet potential partners and customers, and gain valuable insights into industry trends.” – Arianna Huffington, Founder of The Huffington Post.
“Conferences are a great way to stay on top of industry trends and make valuable connections. They provide an opportunity to learn from some of the most successful people in your field.” – Tony Hsieh, Former CEO of Zappos.
“Conferences can be incredibly helpful for entrepreneurs who are just starting out. They provide an opportunity to learn from others who have been there and done that, and to get valuable feedback on your ideas.” – Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.
