Apple CEO Tim Cook. Image credit: Bloomberg
Tim Cook and Eddy Cue join the industry elite at Sun Valley, where billion-dollar deals often start with a handshake.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and senior vice president Eddy Cue are attending the annual Sun Valley Conference in Idaho. The event is known for drawing top executives from technology, media and finance.
The Sun Valley Conference is hosted each July by Allen & Company. It has taken place in Sun Valley, Idaho since 1983.
Often called a “summer camp for billionaires,” the event is famous for its private meetings. Participants discuss strategy, competition and possible deals behind closed doors.
Some major acquisitions have roots at Sun Valley. Past deals include Verizon’s purchase of Yahoo and Jeff Bezos’s acquisition of The Washington Post.
Cook is a regular attendee, with appearances spanning two decades. Apple typically keeps its activities at the event private. In 2025, photos show Cook and Cue speaking with other guests, including media executive Jeffrey Katzenberg.
High-profile guest list
Katzenberg is known for co-founding DreamWorks and leading Disney Studios. He also launched the short-lived streaming service Quibi. Beyond media, he is a prominent fundraiser for Democratic campaigns.
Other attendees in 2025 include:
- Sam Altman (OpenAI)
- Daniel Ek (Spotify)
- Bob Iger (Disney)
- Andy Jassy (Amazon)
- Satya Nadella (Microsoft)
- Sundar Pichai (Google)
- Ted Sarandos (Netflix)
- RJ Scaringe (Rivian)
While the guest list draws headlines, the conference agenda remains secret. Reporters can photograph arrivals, but details of the discussions rarely emerge.
Apple’s strategic interests
Apple’s presence at Sun Valley comes as it faces growing competition in AI, services and hardware. Cue leads Apple’s services division, which has become an important part of the company’s strategy to reduce reliance on iPhone sales.
For Cook, the event offers a chance to strengthen Apple’s ties with other major tech and media companies. There is no indication of any new Apple deal linked to this year’s conference so far.
But the event is known for seeding conversations that can lead to future partnerships or acquisitions.
Apple hasn’t shared details about any meetings at Sun Valley this week. Industry observers will be watching for any signs of follow-up talks in the months ahead.
