Inside Davos’ pricey power club: Why executives spend up to $1 million a year for access

This week, thousands of the world’s biggest names in business, economics, and politics have descended upon Davos, a small town in the Swiss Alps. But this isn’t any regular old ski trip: They’re gathering for a World Economic Forum conference, an invite-only, annual retreat for the most influential people in the world.

It’s exclusive not only because it’s confined to WEF members, but also because it comes with a hefty price tag. While there are a variety of access and membership tiers, some companies shell out $1 million for major sponsorships. For example, Microsoft and McKinsey are among the U.S. companies spending up to $1 million each just to sponsor a Davos venue that will serve as the base for U.S. government officials, ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit.

Other executives and companies pay hefty five- and six‑figure sums each year to secure a coveted place inside Davos’ most exclusive club, betting a few days of access in the Swiss Alps will translate into deals, influence, and brand exposure that justify the cost.

How much it costs to attend Davos

While some WEF memberships cost as little as $350 per year for very basic professional packages, that won’t get you anywhere near Davos. The WEF’s formal corporate packages—plus an invitation—are what serve as the entry ticket to the coveted Alps retreat.

Annual membership fees for companies typically start around $75,000 and climb to $758,000 for “strategic partners, according to previous WEF disclosures and academic analyses of Davos participation. 

Those tiers will generally buy the company the right to send a limited number of executives to Davos, but each delegate also has a separate badge fee. As of 2025, those reportedly cost up to $35,000 a pop for elite badges. And these costs just get you in the door and don’t account for flights, accommodation, drinks, and food (even just a hot dog reportedly costs more than $40 there). For a large global firm sending a small C-suite delegation, attending Davos can easily cost six figures once membership, badges, and logistics are factored in.

What the money buys

Still, shelling out that money could be worth it for the access granted to Davos delegates. Attendees gain access to the official Davos program, which includes sessions with heads of state, small-room panels on topics ranging from AI to climate, and access to “communities” such as industry governor groups and regional councils. 

Higher-paying attendees get more visibility and access to top-ranking officials. They can snag spots on panels, invitations to closed-door roundtables, and access to small, moderated discussions between government officials and Fortune 500 executives. Some companies also pay for access to private meeting rooms, branded hotel lounges, and concierge services.

On top of that, Davos delegates have to pay for hotels and apartments, which are limited in the small Swiss town. During peak season (which happens in January during the conference), one night at a hotel in Davos can cost thousands of dollars.

Many big-name executives stay in luxury chalets, marketed as high-end corporate retreats with wellness centers, private gyms, Jacuzzis, full wait staff, and private chefs. Other costs come from private assistants, event management, and airport pickups.

Who is in Davos this year?

Roughly 3,000 delegates attend Davos each January, including a mix of political leaders, central bankers, corporate executives, academics, activists, and cultural figures. 

One of the biggest names attending Davos this year is President Donald Trump, who will speak on Wednesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also expected to attend. Trump is expected to discuss housing-market reforms, Greenland, and the “Board of Peace,” a new U.S.-proposed international body chaired by Trump that is intended to oversee post-conflict reconstruction, starting with Gaza.

Global CEOs from sectors including tech, finance, energy, and consumer goods companies will be in attendance, including JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. WEF reported a record 400 top political leaders, including nearly 65 heads of state and government, nearly 850 of the world’s top CEOs and chairs, and almost 100 leading unicorns and tech pioneers will also be in attendance.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com