DAVOS, Switzerland, January 21, 2026, 14:55 CET
- BlackRock CEO Larry Fink suggested expanding the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting beyond Davos, naming cities like Dublin and Detroit as possibilities.
- The Financial Times reported that internal discussions are underway about rotating or possibly relocating the flagship event, as the Swiss resort struggles with overcrowding.
- Switzerland and the forum affirmed their support for Davos, though the debate has intensified as the WEF seeks to redefine its path.
Larry Fink, the interim co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s governing board, has started publicly considering new locations for the forum’s annual Davos gathering, naming Dublin and Detroit as potential alternatives.
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The proposal arrives at a tricky time for the forum, which is still reeling from governance shake-ups and accusations of turning into an exclusive clique. At the same time, the Davos gathering continues to broaden beyond the narrow group that used to define it.
Davos has come to symbolize elite dealmaking and global politics, where CEOs and presidents intersect over just a few hectic days. Shifting the annual gathering would challenge that brand—and put at risk a dependable winter boost for Switzerland’s Alpine resort economy.
In a LinkedIn post, Fink said the forum needs to start “showing up — and listening — in the places where the modern world is actually built.” He named “Davos, yes. But also places like Detroit and Dublin.” He acknowledged the meeting will probably remain “synonymous with Davos” for now but added: “The mountain will come down to earth.”
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The Financial Times revealed that Fink has privately explored various options, including a permanent relocation or a rotating setup, with Dublin and Detroit mentioned as possible sites, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Organisers have struggled with rising attendance leading to accommodation shortages, increased security expenses, and limited infrastructure.
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The forum’s leadership has worked to quell talk of splitting from Davos. A WEF spokesperson confirmed the organisation “is pleased to be in Davos this year.” Meanwhile, Switzerland’s government expressed confidence it would keep offering the “best conditions” as host. The foreign ministry described Davos and Geneva as “key neutral platforms” for dialogue.
Since 1971, the WEF has held its January annual meeting in Davos, though it has relocated during crises before—like moving to New York in 2002 after the Sept. 11 attacks. It also considered other venues during the COVID-19 pandemic but ultimately stayed put. The group organizes other major events too, including the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in China, set for June in Dalian.
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Yet, efforts to move Davos face clear obstacles: Switzerland’s backing, the event’s deep roots in the resort, and the hefty security and expenses any major city would inherit. Switching locations might also erode Davos’s core appeal — gathering everyone together at once, with few distractions beyond networking.
Ireland is buzzing over the possibility of Dublin hosting the event. The Business Post highlighted this, backing Fink’s call for the forum to broaden its reach beyond the regular attendees.
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Davos faces a tough blow. A University of St. Gallen study put the 2017 meeting’s boost to the local economy at about 60 million Swiss francs, with roughly 2 million francs in tax revenue for the area. That’s a loss not easily made up in just one winter week.
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Fink has positioned this push as part of a wider reset, insisting Davos must rebuild trust and avoid feeling “out of step with the moment.” He wrote, “If WEF is going to be useful going forward, it has to regain that trust,” and posed a blunt question: “Will anyone outside this room care?”
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The forum’s annual meeting continues through January 23 in Davos, themed “A Spirit of Dialogue.” No word yet on whether the location will change. For now, the mountain remains the mountain.
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