The first meeting was held 1954 in Oosterbeek, Netherlands, at a place called Hotel de Bilderberga. Thereof the name. Prince of Bernhard of the Netherlands was the co-founder and the purpose was said to foster dialogue between Europe and North America.

Its a invitation-only conference which is held yearly in different cities in Europe and North America. The attendants are some of the most influential people in Europe and North America but still they are not known to the public always.

The Swedish attendants are Ann Linde (S), former foreign affairs minister, Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify and Marcus Wallenberg, styrelseordförande i SEB och styrelseledamot i SAAB AB. In unofficial Oskar Stenström, Director and Senior advisor on Wallenberg office. He was spotted Wednesdays already by an American Journalist and youtuber Josh Friedman. What Oscar Stenström is doing here is still unclear.

Santander bank was a big sponsor of the event.