The Bilderberg conference is an annual private meeting of approximately 120-150 political leaders and experts from Europe and North America to discuss major issues facing Western nations in a informal setting. It was founded in 1954 and has no official agenda or resolutions. A steering committee plans the conference program and selects participants. The meetings are funded through private subscriptions and the host country covers hospitality costs.

1. BILDERBERG CONFERENCES
Brief History
The Bilderberg conference is an annual three-day meeting designed to foster dialogue between Europe and North
America. The pioneering meeting grew out of the concern expressed by leading citizens on both sides of the Atlantic that
Western Europe and North America were not working together as closely as they should on issues of common interest.
The first meeting took place in Hotel De Bilderberg in Oosterbeek, Netherlands, from 29 to 31 May 1954. Representatives
from economic, social, political and cultural fields were invited to hold informal discussions to help create a better
understanding of the complex forces and major trends affecting Western nations in the difficult post-war period.
Through the years, the meetings have become a forum for discussion on a wide range of topics - from trade to jobs, from
monetary policy to investment and from ecological challenges to the task of promoting international security. In the context
of a globalized world, it is hard to think of any issue in either Europe or North America that could be tackled unilaterally.
http://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/brief-history.html
Steering Committee
Chairman
Henri de Castries
Chairman and CEO, AXA Group

2. DEU Achleitner, Paul Chairman Supervisory Board, Deutsche Bank AG
GBR Agius, Marcus Non-Executive Chairman, PA Consulting Group
USA Altman, Roger C. Executive Chairman, Evercore
FIN Apunen, Matti Director, Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA
PRT Barroso, José M. Durão Former President of the European Commission
FRA Baverez, Nicolas Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
ITA Bernabè, Franco Chairman, FB Group SRL
NOR
Brandtzæg, Svein
Richard
President and CEO, Norsk Hydro ASA
ESP Cebrián, Juan Luis Executive Chairman, Grupo PRISA
CAN Clark, W. Edmund Group President and CEO, TD Bank Group
DEU Enders, Thomas CEO, Airbus Group
DNK Federspiel, Ulrik Executive Vice President, Haldor Topsøe A/S
NLD Halberstadt, Victor Professor of Public Economics, Leiden University
USA Jacobs, Kenneth M. Chairman and CEO, Lazard
USA Johnson, James A. Chairman, Johnson Capital Partners
USA Karp, Alex CEO, Palantir Technologies
GBR Kerr, John Deputy Chairman, Scottish Power
USA Kleinfeld, Klaus Chairman and CEO, Alcoa
TUR Koç, Mustafa V. Chairman, Koç Holding A.S.
USA Kravis, Marie-Josée Senior Fellow and Vice Chair, Hudson Institute
CHE Kudelski, André Chairman and CEO, Kudelski Group
BEL Leysen, Thomas Chairman, KBC Group
USA Mathews, Jessica T. President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
ITA Monti, Mario Senator-for-life; President, Bocconi University
USA Mundie, Craig J. Senior Advisor to the CEO, Microsoft Corporation
USA Perle, Richard N. Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
CAN Reisman, Heather M. Chair and CEO, Indigo Books & Music Inc.
AUT Scholten, Rudolf CEO, Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
USA Thiel, Peter A. President, Thiel Capital
INT Trichet, Jean-Claude
Honorary Governor, Banque de France; Former President, European Central
Bank
GRC Tsoukalis, Loukas President, ELIAMEP
SWE Wallenberg, Jacob Chairman, Investor AB
USA Zoellick, Robert B. Chairman, Board of International Advisors, The Goldman Sachs Group
Member Advisory Group
USA David Rockefeller
http://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/steering-committee.html

3. Governance and Funding
Bilderberg is governed by a Steering Committee which designates a Chairman; members are elected for a term of four
years and can be re-elected. There are no other members of the Bilderberg conference. The Chair's main responsibilities
are to chair the Steering Committee and to prepare with the Steering Committee the conference program and the
selection of participants. He also makes suggestions to the Steering Committee regarding its composition.
The expenses of maintaining the small secretariat of the Bilderberg meetings are covered wholly by private subscription.
The hospitality costs of the annual meeting are the responsibility of the Steering Committee member(s) of the host
country.
http://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/governance-and-funding.html