OCON 2026 — The Objectivist Conference

Find Your People.
Build Your Future.

Five days with independent minds who think like you, challenge you, and inspire you to live fully. This isn't just a conference — it's where rational thinkers come home.

June 26–30, 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
Reserve Your Spot

Limited seats available — Join 400+ independent thinkers

Ever Feel Like the Only Rational Person in the Room?

You're not crazy. You're not alone. You're just surrounded by the wrong people.

Intellectual Isolation

You've read the books. You understand the philosophy. But every conversation feels like starting from scratch — explaining basics to people who don't want to think.

Cultural Exhaustion

The world rewards conformity, not clarity. You're tired of pretending irrationality is normal, tired of biting your tongue, tired of feeling like a stranger in your own culture.

Missing Your Tribe

Where are the builders? The thinkers? The people who live by reason and pursue their own happiness without apology? They exist — you just haven't found them yet.

What If You Could Spend Five Days With People Who Actually Get It?

OCON is the annual gathering of independent minds — thinkers, builders, creators, and entrepreneurs who share your commitment to reason, individualism, and living life on your own terms.

For five days in New Orleans, you'll be surrounded by people who don't need convincing. People who challenge your thinking — not your right to think. People who celebrate achievement instead of tearing it down.

This isn't networking. It's finding your people.

Group of people in meaningful conversation

Five Days That Will Reshape How You Think

OCON isn't a passive experience. It's an intellectual immersion that challenges, inspires, and connects.

World-Class Lectures

Hear from leading intellectuals on philosophy, psychology, history, and the ideas shaping our world — including a special conversation with Harvard's Steven Pinker.

Deep Connections

Meet ambitious people from around the world who share your values. Many attendees form lifelong friendships, business partnerships, and yes — even romantic relationships.

Real Conversations

No small talk. No social games. Engage in discussions where intellectual honesty is the norm and disagreement leads to clarity, not conflict.

Personal Clarity

Step away from the noise. Immerse yourself in ideas that matter. Return home with renewed energy, sharper thinking, and a clearer sense of purpose.

Social Events

Evening receptions, dinners, and informal gatherings where the best conversations happen. Experience New Orleans with people worth knowing.

Actionable Insights

Not just theory — practical frameworks for applying Objectivist principles to your career, relationships, and pursuit of happiness.

What Happens When You Find Your People

Don't take our word for it. Here's what past attendees have to say.

"I realized that I had been acting as a side character in my own story, letting life happen to me instead of taking action and control. I got really emotional, but also very motivated. Never before in my life had I been in a gathering full of amazing and intelligent people who share similar thoughts, ideas, and interests."

MM

Manuel Morgado

Medical Student, Age 24

"OCON was a life-changing experience for me. It was extremely fun and extremely informational. The people were wonderful, the talks were wonderful — it was just incredible and extremely exciting. I will think fondly back on OCON forever as a formative experience that has helped me to be a better and smarter thinker and person."

D

Dominique

NYU Student, First-Time Attendee

"For many, it's the first time they realize they're not alone — that there are ambitious, independent thinkers like them all over the world. Many walk away with lifelong friendships. Some find career opportunities or even romantic partners. It's not an exaggeration to say this event changes lives."

YD

Yonatan Daon

OCON Organizer & Attendee

"It's very rare that you can have such intellectual intensity be effortless as well. The conversations flow naturally because everyone operates from the same foundational principles. You can skip the basics and go straight to what matters."

D

Daphne

OCON Attendee

Learn From Minds That Matter

OCON brings together leading thinkers who don't just study ideas — they live them.

Steven Pinker

Special Guest: Steven Pinker

Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University

Named by TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Author of Rationality, Enlightenment Now, and When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows. Join us for a special panel discussion on the Enlightenment, human progress, and the battle for Western civilization.

Greg Salmieri

Greg Salmieri

The Philosophy of the Producer
Gena Gorlin

Gena Gorlin

The Psychology of the Producer
Tara Smith

Tara Smith

Intellectual Shrinkage
Amesh Adalja

Amesh Adalja

Conquering the Necropolis
Peter Schwartz

Peter Schwartz

The Meaning of Fundamentals
Shoshana Milgram

Shoshana Milgram

Ayn Rand & Marilyn Monroe

Join Us in New Orleans

The city where Ayn Rand delivered her final public lecture. A fitting setting for a gathering dedicated to celebrating the power of the individual mind.

June 26–30, 2026

Five full days of lectures, discussions, and connection

Sheraton New Orleans Hotel

500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Full Access Included

All lectures, social events, and networking receptions

New Orleans

Invest in Your Mind. Invest in Your Future.

A week that could change how you think, who you know, and how you live. What's that worth?

$888

$444

50% Off — Limited Time

  • Full access to all lectures and panels
  • Steven Pinker special guest session
  • All social events and receptions
  • Networking with 400+ independent thinkers
  • Virtual access to recorded sessions
Secure Your Pass Now

Scholarships available for students and young professionals

Questions? We've Got Answers.

Who attends OCON?

Entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and intellectuals who share a commitment to reason and individualism. Ages range from college students to retired professionals. What unites them: a passion for ideas and living life on their own terms.

Do I need to be an expert in Objectivism?

No. Whether you've read everything Ayn Rand wrote or just finished your first novel, you'll find your level. The community is welcoming to newcomers and challenging to veterans alike.

What if I'm coming alone?

Most people do. The conference is designed to facilitate connection — you won't be alone for long. Many attendees report making their closest friendships at OCON.

Is there a dress code?

Business casual for daytime sessions. Some evening events may be more formal. Comfort matters — you'll be thinking hard.

Can I get a scholarship?

Yes. Scholarships are available for students and young professionals who demonstrate genuine interest but face financial constraints. Apply early — funding is limited.

What's the refund policy?

Full refunds available up to 30 days before the event. Partial refunds available after that. Details on the registration page.

Stop Waiting to Find Your People.
They're Waiting for You.

Five days in New Orleans. Four hundred independent minds. One opportunity to discover where you belong.

Reserve Your Spot at OCON 2026
"Do not let your fire go out. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in the lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours."
— Ayn Rand