Richard Branson &Anthony Scaramucci
Intolerance and divisive behavior have permeated our culture to such a degree that finding the Loch Ness monster seems far easier than encountering an intelligent debate or an open exchange of ideas.
Unusual as it may seem, a wide range of prominent leaders from business, sports politics and entertainment gather every May in Las Vegas to share their thoughts in a totally bipartisan environment at SALT (SkyBridge Alternative Conference).
SALT is the brainchild of Anthony Scaramucci and Victor Oviedo, partners in the SkyBridge Capital hedge fund who launched the conference in 2009. I spoke with Oviedo on the phone recently and asked him to explain SALT's rapid success and continuing popularity, as the conference is not just packed with attendees, but boasts an impressive roster of speakers and panelists as well.
While SALT offers its share of impressive corporate titans (a conversation between Sam Zell and T. Boone Pickens moderated by David Westin) discussing money and business, what's really compelling about the conference is the lack of political agenda despite all of the strongly opinionated featured guests.
"We are unique in the sense that we're totally bipartisan," said Oviedo. "What we do at the SALT conference is bring forth important issues that exist in today's world without us taking a side in the debate. We let people decide for themselves where they stand on whatever topics are discussed at SALT and we always make sure that both the right and left are represented equally."
For example, this year SALT offers a panel called Politics, Polls & Predictions - a debate on the 2016 elections and both sides are well covered. On the left is Donna Brazile (Former Vice-Chair of the DNC) and Jim Messina (Obama campaign manager) and on the right Margaret Hoover (Republican strategist) and Karl Rove (Former Bush Deputy Chief of Staff).
The guest creating the most buzz is Michael Bloomberg, who will be featured in a one on one interview where he will share his thoughts on the upcoming election. "Bloomberg had a very distinct management style when he was Mayor of New York City, and I think it will be interesting to hear his perspective on how he would manage a political office on a national level," said Oviedo. "We also have a lunch with Kobe Bryant discussing what's next for him and a talk by actor and philanthropist Will Smith to close out Wednesday's session." Other speakers and panelists include John Boehner, Michael Lewis, Ron Howard and Lara Logan.
I have attended and covered many conferences from pharmaceuticals to food, but the tone of SALT is different from all of them. While the conference is clearly attended by the 1 percent, the focus is less about making money and more about giving back and that's why it has grown so dramatically from its inception just seven years ago.
"The foundation of the conference was always to bring ideas together, but the aspect that stands out more than any other has been philanthropy," said Oviedo. Since its launch, part of SALT's mission statement has been to feature as many non-profit organizations as possible at the conference, "all of them run by amazing social entrepreneurs," added Oviedo.
"We know that our attendees have been very fortunate in life and we belief it's a moral obligation that everyone should be giving back. We're not even suggesting where or how to give, but we do present as many options and opportunities as possible, and the past results have been fantastic," said Oviedo.
Yolanda Turocy, a portfolio manager and longtime SALT attendee told me: "I have known Anthony Scaramucci for 25 years and he has not only been successful on Wall Street -- but as an author, television host and restaurateur. It's no surprise because he has an uncanny ability of bringing dissimilar people together and somehow making it work brilliantly."
It certainly has with SALT.
SALT runs from Tuesday May 10th - Friday May 13th at the Bellagio Hotel.
As a postscript to this piece, I asked Oviedo if there was a speaker they've yet to get and his response was immediate.
"Arianna Huffington," said Oviedo.