A new era of influence is taking shape in the US. AI is redefining capital and power at a pace unseen since the industrial titans of the 19th century. New fortunes are emerging, established institutions are being reshaped, and decisions made today in Manhattan boardrooms and Washington corridors will reverberate across the global economy for decades.
This is the New Gilded Age.
For Australian and New Zealand family offices seeking to understand where wealth, technology, and policy intersect, there is no vantage point more compelling than the US East Coast this autumn, as the 2026 midterms usher in a new political and economic chapter.
Our PWN International Insight Tour takes you beyond headlines and into the rooms where the future is being defined — from New York City’s most influential family offices, venture labs, cultural institutions, and philanthropic estates, to Washington D.C.’s policy hubs, national security centres, and leading think tanks shaping America’s strategic direction.
New York City
The Global Capital Epicentre
27 September – 2 October 2026
Home to the world’s largest concentration of family offices and private capital networks, New York is also the epicentre of the AI investment wave reshaping finance, healthcare, and culture.
This Insight Tour offers intimate access to those redefining wealth in the 2020s.
Highlights include
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Dialogue with multi-generational families navigating geopolitical disruption
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Behind-the-scenes of frontier labs shaping bioelectronics, fusion energy, and AI innovation
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An insider's perspective on the future of U.S. innovation-led capital
Washington, D.C.
Politics, Power, and Philanthropy
4 – 8 October 2026
As AI regulation rises to the top of the policy agenda, decisions made in the capital will carry profound consequences for global investors — including families with US exposure or ambitions.
This Insight Tour places you directly within these important conversations.
Highlights include:
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Closed-door sessions at leading policy institutions
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Behind-the-scenes tour of the Supreme Court
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Exploration of strategic philanthropy and the intersection of private capital and public policy
"New York had all the iridescence of the beginning of the world."
— F. Scott Fitzgerald, Author
Our Preliminary Program for New York City
Sunday 27 September 2026
Welcome to New York — Legacy & The Gilded Age
Our New York journey begins by stepping into the era that shaped modern American wealth. The Gilded Age was a period of extraordinary ambition, philanthropy, and architectural grandeur — a legacy that continues to influence the city’s cultural and financial landscape today.
Highlights
Historic Walking Tour: The Gilded Age
- Explore Fifth Avenue’s grand Gilded Age mansions with a local historian
- Learn how this era of wealth shaped New York, including the philanthropic institutions whose influence continues today
- Sets the stage for the week’s dialogue and shared learning
Evening Drinks & Welcome Dinner
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Connect with fellow participants in a spirit of curiosity, conversation, and shared exploration
Monday 28 September 2026
Family Offices & the Private Wealth Ecosystem
Today focuses on the evolving architecture of private wealth — from the inner workings of family offices to the emergence of new technology fortunes reshaping capital, governance, and long-term stewardship.
Highlights
Connecting with Fellow Participants
- A facilitated morning session designed to deepen relationships within the group and open the conversations that will carry throughout the week
- Through guided dialogue and shared perspectives, participants begin exploring the themes of legacy, capital stewardship, and the changing dynamics of private wealth
From Family Black Sheep to Tech Titans
- A private masterclass exploring the unexpected pathways that shape modern wealth creation
- From impact-driven philanthropy to the rise of transformative technology companies, we learm what this means for family enterprise, legacy, and values-aligned capital
Hosted by Zac Russell, Russallo.
Roundtable Lunch with New York's Influential Family Offices
- An intimate lunch bringing together PWN members with leading New York-based family offices and private investors
- Designed as a candid peer-to-peer exchange, we'll explore how families are structuring their capital, approaching generational transition, and navigating a rapidly evolving investment landscape
Hosted by Andrew Pitcairn, Family Office Ambassador, Pitcairn
AI and Family Offices: Opportunities & Risks
- See behind-the-scenes of sophisticated family offices responding to the AI revolution
- Understand emerging opportunities and governance challenges — from direct investment strategies to operational adoption and long-term portfolio implications
Hosted by Linden Global Strategies
Networking Drinks
- The day concludes with pre-dinner drinks and intimate conversation with New York's influential family offices
Hosted by Michael Sonnenfeldt, Founder, Tiger 21
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Energy & Critical Minerals for an AI-Powered World
We travel onward to Princeton University, one of the world’s most distinguished academic institutions. Set among tree-lined pathways and historic architecture, today explores the technologies and institutions working to power the next era of innovation. As AI accelerates the digital economy, we discover why the physical foundations that support it are becoming strategic priorities.
Highlights
AI and Physical Tech: An Insider's Experience at HAX Newark
- A private visit to HAX in Newark, widely recognised as one of the world’s most active investors in deep-tech and hard-tech startups
- Learn how the next generation of physical technology companies is being built — spanning robotics, biotechnology, advanced materials, and energy systems
- Understand how AI may transform the knowledge economy, and why innovation in the physical world remains essential and irreplaceable
Energy Futures: Powering AI & Data Centre Growth
- Behind-the-scenes at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment
- Learn about the breakthrough technologies designed to meet the immense energy demands of AI and data-centre expansion
- From next-generation energy systems to cutting-edge fusion research, understand the scale of infrastructure required to power the digital age — and the emerging investment thesis surrounding energy, materials and critical resources
Hosted by Sean O'Sullivan, Founder, SOSV, alongside Princeton faculty.
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Life Sciences, Longevity & Private Capital
We dive into the future of health, longevity, and life sciences — from breakthrough technologies to the innovators driving them — while connecting you with leading family office peers. This is a day of rare insight, influence, and conversations that turn ideas into action.
Highlights
A Private Masterclass at the Australian American Alliance
- Explore cutting-edge health technologies: bioelectronics, personalised medicine, and emerging tools reshaping longevity, prevention, and human performance
Lunch with Health & Life Science Entrepreneurs
- An intimate lunch to connect with founders and innovators at the forefront of health technology
- A rare opportunity for first-hand insight into the next generation of medical and wellness breakthroughs
Dialogue with Influential New York Family Offices
- Confidential conversation with Private Somos22, a family-office-only networking group
- Candid discussions on family enterprise, cross-border investment, and collaborative strategies
Hosted by Tim Brown, Co-Founder, Somos22
Jeffersonian Dinner with Somos22 Members
- Curated round-table dinner following the Jeffersonian format (single-topic discussion)
- Fostering deep intellectual exchange, lasting friendships, and investment partnerships with global peers
Thursday 1 October 2026
Creativity, Culture and Capital
Today explores the intersection of creativity, culture, and capital in New York. From Brooklyn’s cutting-edge arts and innovation scene to the business of America’s most popular sport and the dynamics of the city’s luxury real estate market, the day combines unique access with insight from industry leaders.
Highlights
An Insider's Experience: Brooklyn
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Cross the East River to experience Brooklyn’s vibrant creative ecosystem
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A Private Visit of Pioneer Works, an interdisciplinary arts and science centre, to explore local creative communities redefining the city’s cultural identity
Hosted by Zac Russell, Founder, Russallo
A Private Tour of the NFL Headquarters
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Behind-the-scenes access to the National Football League headquarters
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Explore media rights, franchise valuations, brand strategy, and community impact — a masterclass in sports as both an asset class and cultural institution
Hosted by Steven Israel, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank and former NFL Player
Drinks & Real Estate with the De Niro Team
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Insider knowledge on the opportunities, risks, and evolving landscape of luxury property investment in New York
Hosted by Lauren De Niro Pipher, Licensed Associate & Real Estate Broker, De Niro Team
Friday 2 October 2026
Philanthropy, Purpose & Legacy
Our last day in New York reflects on wealth, impact, and legacy — exploring how purpose-driven philanthropy, sustainable agriculture, and family enterprise intersect. From the rolling fields of Stone Barns to the vineyards of the Finger Lakes, the day combines exclusive access, meaningful dialogue, and a celebratory conclusion to a week of discovery.
Highlights
Cultivating Purpose: Stone Barns & Synergos
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A private visit to Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a working farm established by David Rockefeller as a model of purposeful philanthropy
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A confidential session with Synergos, founded by Peggy Dulaney Rockefeller, dedicated to solving complex global challenges through collaborative giving
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Lunch at one of America’s leading sustainable dining venues, Blue Hill
Hosted by Synergos
Heritage & Terroir: Living Roots Wine, Finger Lakes
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Meet the Hardy family, sixth-generation winemakers from South Australia’s Barossa Valley, who have transplanted their craft to upstate New York
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Explore how heritage, family enterprise, and terroir combine to create world-class wine
Celebrating Legacy: Closing Dinner in NYC
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A celebratory dinner in Manhattan reflecting on an extraordinary week of learning, and connection
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Opportunity to synthesise insights, strengthen relationships, and toast a transformative week in the world’s financial capital
Our Preliminary Program for Washington, D.C.
Sunday 4 October 2026
Welcome to Washington D.C. —Democracy, Memory & Power
Our Washington program begins at the symbolic heart of American democracy. Surrounded by monuments to leadership, sacrifice, and national identity, the opening day provides the historical context for the conversations on politics, policy, and global influence that will unfold throughout the week.
Highlights
Walking the Monuments of Washington
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Visit the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and other memorials that capture defining moments in American history
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Discover how newer monuments reflect the evolving story of democracy, leadership, and national sacrifice
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An orientation designed to ground the week’s discussions within the broader historical narrative of the United States
Welcome Dinner
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Gather with fellow participants for a relaxed welcome dinner in Washington
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An opportunity to welcome new participants, exchange perspectives, and set the tone for the days ahead exploring the institutions and individuals shaping American policy and power
Monday 5 October 2026
How Washington Works
We venture behind-the-scenes of the seat of power to explore the mechanics of Washington — how policy, diplomacy, and influence intersect to shape global markets and alliances. Through briefings, roundtable discussions, and rare institutional access, participants gain insight into the relationships and decisions that drive the American political ecosystem.
Highlights
Australian Business in America: Bondi Partners Briefing
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In-depth, private discussion on the evolving landscape of Australian–American business relations
- Explore trade opportunities, geopolitical dynamics, and the strategic considerations for Australasian companies and family offices operating or investing in the United States
Hosted by Bondi Partners, Founded by Joe Hockey, former Australian Ambassador to the United States and Treasurer of Australia
Roundtable: Energy & AI Policy
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Curated lunch bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and PWN Members
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Explore the rapidly evolving intersection of energy policy and artificial intelligence regulation
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Examine implications for infrastructure investment, data centre growth, and capital allocation across global markets
Private Tour of the U.S. Supreme Court
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Rare behind-the-scenes visit to the Supreme Court of the United States
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Explore the institution that has shaped American constitutional law for more than two centuries
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Discussion on how landmark decisions continue to influence markets, governance, and human rights frameworks globally
Drinks at Martin’s Tavern
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Informal drinks at Martin's Tavern, a Georgetown institution family-owned since 1933
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A favourite gathering place for Washington’s political community — visited by every U.S. president since Harry S. Truman
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Famously the location where John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
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The tavern also holds an Australian connection with a booth named for astronaut Paul Scully-Power, the first Australian-born astronaut to fly with NASA
Tuesday 6 October 2026
Powering the World— Data Centre Alley
Just outside Washington lies the world’s most important concentration of internet infrastructure — the data centres that support global cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the modern financial system. The day combines behind-the-scenes access with policy insight into how regulation and politics will shape the future of AI.
Highlights
Data Centre Alley & the Dulles Technology Corridor
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Visit the heart of the world’s internet infrastructure in Data Center Alley within Northern Virginia’s Dulles Technology Corridor
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This region hosts the largest concentration of data centres on earth, processing an estimated majority of global internet traffic
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Meet leaders responsible for building and operating the physical infrastructure that powers cloud computing, digital finance, and artificial intelligence
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A rare opportunity to understand where “the cloud” actually lives
AI Regulation & the Mid-Term Elections
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Timely discussion on the evolving regulatory environment for artificial intelligence in the United States
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Examine how the 2026 United States midterm elections may reshape technology policy, data governance, and innovation frameworks
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Explore the implications for global investors, technology companies, and cross-border capital
Dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence (TBC)
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An elegant evening hosted at a diplomatic residence in Washington
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Engage in conversation with diplomats, policymakers, and private sector leaders
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Experience the unique diplomatic culture of Washington, where international relationships, policy, and commerce intersect
Wednesday 7 October 2026
Policy Insights for Business & Investment
As governments increasingly shape markets through industrial policy and strategic investment, understanding Washington’s priorities becomes essential for global investors. The day concludes with a visit to one of the most symbolic sites in American history — reflecting on leadership, stewardship, and legacy.
Highlights
Defence, Critical Minerals & Strategic Industries
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High-level briefing on the sectors shaping America’s national security and economic strategy
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Explore critical mineral supply chains, defence technology, and industrial policies protecting industries of national importance
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Examine how geopolitical competition is reshaping global investment frameworks
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Particularly relevant for Australian families with exposure to resources, energy, and advanced technology sectors
Lunch at Mount Vernon
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Lunch overlooking the Potomac River at Mount Vernon, the historic estate of George Washington
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A moment to reflect on themes of leadership, stewardship, and the responsibilities that accompany influence and power
Guided Tour of Mount Vernon
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Explore the mansion, gardens, and historic grounds of Mount Vernon
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Learn about the life and leadership of George Washington and the early years of the American republic
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Examine the plantation economy that shaped the nation’s founding era — using history as a lens to reflect on today’s global transformations
Thursday 8 October 2026
Think Tanks, Insight & Farewell
The final day of our Insight Tour brings together policy, history, and reflection. Participants gain rare access to one of the world’s leading think tanks, explore the architectural grandeur of the Library of Congress, and synthesise insights from two weeks of unparalleled access to leaders, institutions, and innovators across the US East Coast.
Highlights
CSIS: Closed-Door Session on Politics & Policy
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Private, confidential briefing at Center for Strategic and International Studies, one of the world’s most influential think tanks
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Senior fellows and analysts share candid perspectives on US foreign policy, geopolitical dynamics, and the strategic implications of AI and global technology competition
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A rare opportunity to hear unvarnished analysis that informs both policy and investment decisions
Translating Insights: Roundtable Lunch
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Final working lunch to review and synthesise insights from the past two weeks
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Translate lessons into actionable implications for family enterprise, investment strategy, and global business engagement
Icons of Knowledge: Library of Congress & Monuments
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Behind-the-scenes visit the Library of Congress, the world’s largest library and one of the great architectural achievements of the American Republic
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Reflect on history, culture, and the enduring institutions that shape democracy and civic life
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Opportunity for a last stroll among the National Mall monuments before concluding the program
Celebrating Connections: Farewell Dinner
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A celebratory farewell dinner in Washington
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Mark the conclusion of two weeks of discovery, connection, and insight across the US East Coast
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Conversations begun here are designed to continue long after the tour, fostering lasting networks and shared perspectives
"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past."
— Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States
Who You'll Meet
Michael Sonnenfeldt
Lauren De Niro Pipher
Sean O'Sullivan
Zac Russell
Steven Israel
Andrew Pitcairn
Tim Brown
Who Should Participate
This Insight Tour is designed for PWN Members who are:
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Principals and trustees of family offices and private wealth structures
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Next-generation family members preparing for stewardship roles
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Family office executives and advisers seeking U.S. market intelligence
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Philanthropic leaders navigating policy-driven change
Travel Between Cities
Participants are invited to arrange their own travel between the New York City and Washington, D.C. program segments, allowing flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Should you prefer support, PWN can organise transfers for participants or luggage only, at an additional cost. Please let us know your preference during your registration conversation.
Registration Details
To ensure the quality of peer connection and learning, places are limited to 25 participants per city, and early registration is strongly encouraged.
To secure your place or request further information, please contact Sandra Duncan, International Insight Tour Manager at sandra@pwnetwork