How many aspiring billionaires can you cram into the lobby of a five-star hotel that’s under construction? It was a question on the minds of thousands of attendees of the three-day Milken Institute Global Conference which has gotten so big and popular that some overwhelmed guests were forced to take extended wellness breaks to protect their well-being.
This year’s wellness garden, set up inside the Beverly Hilton, was by far the most robust in recent years offering red light therapy, Reiki therapy, sound immersion baths and a professional astrologer who was giving asset managers a sense of how their careers might unfold. One could be forgiven for feeling slightly overwhelmed at this year’s conference where the cost of valeting your car at the neighboring Waldorf Astoria cost $100.
How many aspiring billionaires can you cram into the lobby of a five-star hotel that’s under construction? REUTERS One could be forgiven for feeling slightly overwhelmed at this year’s conference where the cost of valeting your car at neighboring Waldorf Astoria cost $100. AFP via Getty Images “Everyone is angry,” said one attendee who wasn’t critiquing the event itself but rather the vibe of global economic unrest caused by the war in Iran and industry challenges. Another attendee pulled up a spreadsheet to show the 37 different private networking events he was hoping to attend around LA in a 48 hour period.
Even so, the Milken conference may be the only time you could walk by ex-Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on your way to a panel featuring Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason and musician Wyclef Jean. Donald Mustard, a partner at the Russo Bros’ AGBO, a first-time attendee, told P6H on Wednesday he was amazed at all the different kinds of people he interacted with outside of his normal circle. Tom Brady was on hand, as was Shaquille O’Neal,and a highlight was a concert by Pitbull.
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The crowds got so thick that the Starbucks on the corner of Santa Monica and Wilshire became the hot spot. It’s also where Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman was spotted having a lengthy chat with Milken Institute CEO Richard Ditizio on the sidewalk.
