Warm Up for Bilderberg Meeting at Island off South Carolina?

Word is that the 2013 meeting of the Bilderberg Group will be happening early next month at the Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire, near Watford, England.

But was a private meeting of various heavy-hitters this weekend in South Carolina part of a lead up to the big event in June?

From the WBTW CBS affiliate in Myrtle Beach, SC web site.

WCBD confirmed ... American business magnate [Bill Gates] is at the Sanctuary on Kiawah Island.

Suspicion was raised when nearly 20 very expensive jets were seen lined up at the Charleston International Airport on Johns Island.

Officials with the Beach Company confirmed to WCBD that other big names such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, TV host Oprah Winfrey and Billionaire Warren Buffet flew into the Charleston Executive airport on Johns Island Wednesday night.

Other prominent people said to also be staying there this weekend are Jeb Bush and Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The famous guests were attending a two day long conference led by Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Officials say the meeting was about the foundation Gates and his wife Linda run.

The meeting rented out the entire Sanctuary Hotel on the gated island. Security has been high throughout the entire week, keeping the public away from the hotel.



WCBD spoke to the Mayor of Kiawah by phone who said the town is happy to serve as host to the event.

"We wish them luck with what they're doing," Mayor Charles Lipuma said. "If they want to play golf, they couldn't have picked a better weekend. We are glad we could offer them great weather." [Ha!]

Tip o' the hat to Kevin at Cryptogon.