OCON 2026

Celebrate America's 250th

Five Days of Reason, Individualism, and the Founding Ideals

Two hundred and fifty years ago, America's Founders established "the first society in history led, dominated and created by the Producers." Join us in New Orleans — where Ayn Rand delivered her final public lecture — to celebrate the ideas that built America and shape its future.

When
June 26–30, 2026
Where
New Orleans, LA
Venue
Sheraton New Orleans
Secure Your Pass View Speakers

Celebrating America: The Country of the Producer

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence — a document that proclaimed, for the first time in history, that every individual has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

America's Founders created a nation where the reasoning mind could flourish. Where producers — those who use their minds to create the values on which human life depends — were unshackled from the purveyors of faith and force.

At OCON 2026, we celebrate this achievement and examine the ideas required to preserve it for the next 250 years.

"The first society in history . . . led, dominated and created by the Producers."
— Ayn Rand
American founding
Special Guest

A Conversation with Steven Pinker

Join us for a historic panel discussion on reason, progress, and the battle for Western civilization.

Steven Pinker
Panel Discussion

Steven Pinker

Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University

Steven Pinker is one of the world's most influential public intellectuals. A cognitive scientist named by TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, he has dedicated his career to defending reason, science, and human progress.

At OCON 2026, leading Objectivist intellectuals will converse with Pinker about the Enlightenment, human progress, Objectivism, freedom of speech, and the battle for Western civilization.

TIME 100 Most Influential Harvard University Author: Rationality Author: Enlightenment Now
Featured Speakers

World-Class Intellectuals. Ideas That Matter.

Hear from philosophers, psychologists, historians, and thought leaders who live by reason.

Greg Salmieri

Greg Salmieri

Senior Fellow, Civitas Institute
University of Texas at Austin

"The Philosophy of the Producer"

Gena Gorlin

Gena Gorlin

Clinical Associate Professor
University of Texas at Austin

"The Psychology of the Producer"

Tara Smith

Tara Smith

Professor of Philosophy
University of Texas at Austin

"Intellectual Shrinkage – And Its Costs"

Amesh Adalja

Amesh Adalja, MD

Board-certified Physician
Infectious Disease Specialist

"Conquering the Necropolis: Yellow Fever and New Orleans"

Peter Schwartz

Peter Schwartz

Distinguished Fellow
Ayn Rand Institute

"The Meaning of Fundamentals"

Shoshana Milgram

Shoshana Milgram

Associate Professor of English
Virginia Tech

"Ayn Rand and Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962)"

What You'll Experience

Five days of intellectual immersion, connection, and celebration.

Expert Lectures

In-depth presentations from leading thinkers on philosophy, history, and culture.

Panel Discussions

Engaging debates and Q&A sessions with speakers and fellow attendees.

Networking Events

Receptions and social gatherings with 400+ like-minded individuals.

New Orleans

Experience the city where Ayn Rand delivered her final public lecture.

Join the Producers

Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with thinkers who understand what made it possible — and what's required to preserve it.

$888
$444
50% Off — Limited Time
  • Full access to all lectures and panels
  • Steven Pinker special guest session
  • All networking receptions and social events
  • Virtual access to recorded sessions
  • Conference materials and resources
Register Now

Scholarships available. Apply here