leadership
Tony Blair's Secret Club And Other Clubs We Want To Crash
When the rich and powerful really want to talk, they do it behind closed doors.
The Bilderberg Group
In addition to attracting 150 high-powered bankers, politicians, and businesspeople from around the globe (past attendees include Tony Blair and Ben Bernanke), these ultra-secretive meetings also attract attention from conspiracy theorists, who believe Bilderberg is working toward a one-world government.
Where: Sitges, Spain*
When: May
Kappa Beta Phi
Wall Street's secret honor society meets at New York's St. Regis Hotel to induct new members, who, often dressed in drag, perform a far-from-PC variety show poking fun at Wall Street and government bigwigs. If the members don't like it, they throw dinner rolls.
Where: New York
When: January
The Meeting of Fathers and Sons
Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world, with a net worth of $74 billion, hosts a yearly meeting of Latin American businessmen (many fellow billionaires) and their sons to discuss global business, family companies, and -- oddly enough -- poverty.
Where: Mexico City*
When: Spring
The Weekend to Be Named Later
One hundred industry leaders -- from designers to venture capitalists to taxi drivers -- gather at the Biltmore Hotel for this off-the-record conference party. The progressive, nonpartisan gathering never focuses on a particular topic: Last year's itinerary ping-ponged from Iraq to AIDS to addiction to social networking.
Where: Miami
When: New Year's weekend
Koch Industries Meetings
Organized by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, these semi-annual meetings are a veritable who's who of right-wing politics, business, and power (Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh attend). A leaked memo for January's meeting in Palm Springs, Florida, asked those invited to combat "climate-change alarmism and the move to socialized health care."
Where: Palm Springs*
When: January and June
*These events change often -- we've listed the most recent locale.