Sun Valley Conference Lets The Wealthy Network

East Coast investment banker Herbert A. Allen comes to Idaho each July for a chance to hobnob with billionaire business magnates.

This year, he has flown in some of the biggest names in telecommunications, entertainment, sports and high technology for four days of schmoozing, sales pitches and sun.

Last weekend’s retreat is supposed to offer an escape from the big city and reporters. Past participants have been asked not to speak with reporters.

At this conference, Microsoft founder William H. Gates III, worth $12.9 billion, can rub shoulders with investor Warren Edward Buffet, worth $10.7 billion. Or cut deals with Disney Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner, Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen and CNN founder Ted Turner.

In between, there’s time for flyfishing, river rafting, or foosball, a pastime Paul Allen enjoys.

While waiting for a Sun Valley Lodge elevator Friday, Paul Allen called the gathering “an amazing group of leaders … It’s really unmatched anywhere in the world anytime during the year as far as I know.”

Herbert Allen’s jets ferry Hollywood types in so they can rub shoulders with Silicon Valley’s giants and Wall Street giants. Men such as former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent also attend.

“I love Sun Valley and I love coming here. Herbert puts on a wonderful conference,” said Vincent. He’s been attending since the mid1980s.

For years, Herbert Allen’s conference was one of the best-kept secrets in America. But an article last fall in Vanity Fair helped end that anonymity. This year, reporters from USA Today and the Wall Street Journal were on hand but barred from participating.

The Sun Valley Conference con tinued Saturday with a presentation by Microsoft Corp. and Saturday night, guests had get a chance to watch Olympic skater Katarina Witt perform.