The Secret Retreats Where the World’s Most Powerful CEOs Redesign the Future

In the sixth episode of Succession's second season, the Roy family hopes to finalize the acquisition of their rival, the Pierce media empire—not in a Wall Street boardroom, but in a secluded mountain village. This isn’t just any village, but Argestes, a retreat for the corporate elite, the 0.1%. As the episode begins, private jets are shown circling above the small local airport, waiting for a chance to land. In the next scene, Logan Roy threatens to "kill someone" if a tech billionaire gets a landing slot before him.

The insiders will immediately recognize the parallel: Argestes is Sun Valley, the iconic elite conference that becomes the focus of satire in this episode. The comparison is confirmed when the Roys arrive at the event—a luxurious stone lodge besieged by photographers. This mirrors the reality of Sun Valley, where reporters gather at the entrance since access beyond that point is forbidden. Every summer, nearly identical photos of the world’s economic superstars emerge, showcasing their casual, yet carefully curated, billionaire attire. Whether it's Kendall Roy’s quilted vest and cashmere sweater or Tom’s signature sleeveless down jacket and blue shirt, these outfits are as much a part of the setting as the discussions they come for.

The plot of Succession—the high-stakes deal between industry titans—echoes real events from Sun Valley's history, where intense CEO conversations led to monumental deals, such as Verizon’s purchase of Yahoo and AOL. Scott Fortner, the director of Visit Sun Valley, attributes the retreat's appeal to a simple factor: "The region has been a haven for the ultra-wealthy for decades. They enjoy being able to shed the layers of wealth and fame, live in the moment, and appreciate the simple things that make this place so special." The natural beauty or perhaps the privacy has contributed to the retreat's undiminished success, now over forty years in the making.

In recent years, however, more such gatherings have sprung up for the elite of the elite. The latest on the circuit is Brilliant Minds, known for being the most fun. Attendees have included Gwyneth Paltrow, Usher, Naomi Campbell, Jared Leto, Sean Penn, Trevor Noah, Florence and the Machine who performed on stage, and even Barack Obama. Founded in 2015 by Daniel Ek, Spotify's co-founder, and entrepreneur Ash Pournouri, Brilliant Minds invites guests to Stockholm before whisking them off to breathtaking surrounding locations. If this sounds familiar, it’s because Succession's epic retreat hosted by Lukas Matsson was inspired by Ek and Elon Musk.