What started as a Utah ski trip for 19 young entrepreneurs in 2008 has returned full circle and morphed into a four day event at Summit's new home at Powder Mountain
Each year Summit organizes a large event for some of the world's heavy hitters. In 2010 they hosted "DC10" in our nations capital. The next year they embarked on a cruise ship for "Summit at Sea, while in 2012 they hosted "Summit Basecamp" at Squaw Valley. Past attendees have included Bill Clinton, Ted Turner, Richard Branson and many others.
Over the last couple of years, Summit discovered Powder Mountain and ultimately completed the purchase of the Ogden Valley resort in April 2013. The rumored purchase price: $40 million. Now they have their own Basecamp and are hosting "Summit Outside" this weekend.
The group is very tight lipped and requires employees to sign a confidentiality agreement, but there have been some leaks regarding this weekends big event. Celebrities such as Usher and Beyonce have already been sighted in Eden.
A tent city has been constructed in the area known to backcountry skiers as "Mary's," and the 850 attendees are said to be "Glamping" - Glamorous Camping in a 200 - 400 sq. ft. wood floor suite with a queen size bed and canvas wall. The purported price tag for these digs? $5,000 for the cheap seats and $12,000 for the deluxe.
From their invitation only website http://outside.summit.co/
Experience: Tucked into a 10,000-acre wilderness, Summit Outside will take 850 thought leaders on an unprecedented physical and intellectual safari. Built around a vibrant Bedouin-inspired tent village, the discourse is as fresh as the mountain air. It's singularity and s'mores. Robots and rope swings. New media platforms and old-school conversation. Every experience is designed to foster stimulating conversations, personal connections, and new partnerships and possibilities.
Vision: Return to the wilderness. Rediscover adventure. Reignite inspiration. This summer, the Summit community will gather for the first flagship Summit event in 18 months, and the first-ever on Summit's new home, Powder Mountain. It's an opportunity for attendees to connect with the natural world and one another. On a mountaintop where the views touch four states, Summit Outside sets a foundation for the Summit community for decades to come.
Story: Summit is a community rooted in the idea that collaboration drives innovation. Over the past five years, Summit has created events that foster partnerships and drive positive growth. After seeing the impact of these four-day experiences, we set out to create a permanent place dedicated to convening and inspiring thought leaders. In April 2013, Summit purchased Powder Mountain, the largest ski mountain in the United States, with the intention of building an epicenter of innovation, culture, and thought leadership.
Has this big event impacted you this weekend? Have you spied your favorite celebrity at Valley Market? Has your business been positively influenced by the Summit attendees?
The floor is yours Ogden Valley faithful. Tell us what you've seen.
UPDATE: 7/22/13 @ 10:00 am
Sunday's Standard had this article along with some aerial photos of the tent city:
