OCON 2026

The Objectivist Conference

Find Your People.
Build Your Future.

Five days with independent minds who share your commitment to reason, challenge you, and inspire you to live fully. OCON is your chance to immerse yourself in Ayn Rand's eye-opening philosophy, engage with the best minds in Objectivism, and connect with a passionate community committed to reason, individualism, and capitalism. 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 300+ 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

If you're like the many thoughtful people today, you probably feel the effects of a culture that's hostile to reason and independent thought. It's hard to find enriching conversations grounded in a genuine desire to grasp the truth — let alone live by it.

Cultural Exhaustion

The world increasingly rewards conformity, not clarity. You're tired of wondering whether or not to bite your tongue, or whether your words will fall on deaf ears.

Missing Your People

Where are the builders? The thinkers? The people who live by reason and pursue their own happiness without apology? They exist — but they're scattered.

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 get where you're coming from. People who challenge your thinking — not your right to think. People who celebrate achievement instead of tearing it down.

OCON attendees in conversation

Five Days of Conversation, Connection, and Commitment to Your Potential

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, and the ideas shaping our world.

Deep Connections

Meet ambitious people from around the world who share your core values. Many attendees form lifelong friendships, business partnerships, and more.

Real Conversations

Transcend the small talk. Engage in discussions where intellectual curiosity is the norm and disagreement leads to clarity, not conflict.

Personal Clarity

Step out of 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.

"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

Event 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

The OCON Experience

Five days of ideas, connection, and inspiration.

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Learn From Minds That Matter

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

Alex Epstein

Featured Speaker: Alex Epstein

Founder, Center for Industrial Progress

Author of Fossil Future and The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels. A leading voice for energy freedom and human flourishing, Alex will present "How to Liberate America's Producers."

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
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.

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

Sheraton New Orleans Hotel

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?

$1776

Full Conference Access

  • Full access to all lectures and panels
  • Steven Pinker special guest session
  • All social events and receptions
  • Networking with 300+ independent thinkers
  • Virtual access to recorded sessions
Secure Your Pass Now

Scholarships are available for students and young professionals. Apply here.

Questions? We've Got Answers.

Who attends OCON?

Entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and intellectuals who share a commitment to reason and individualism and an interest in Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. 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 of her novels, there's loads here to gain. 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 under 35 years old 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. Three hundred-plus independent minds. One opportunity to discover a network to build your future on.

Reserve Your Spot at OCON 2026
"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it's yours."
— Ayn Rand