• Adult early-bird pricing ends at 11:59PM PST on Nov 7.

Discover. Connect. Thrive.

Explore Ayn Rand’s ideas, form lasting connections, and fuel your pursuit of happiness.

  • September 11-13, 2026
  • Austin, Texas
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Leverage Objectivism to Chart Your Course and Change the World

Spend three unforgettable days with us in Austin, Texas as we delve into Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism and learn how you can leverage it to sharpen your thinking and improve your life. From the personal to the professional to the political, we’ll explore how Rand’s life-affirming ideas illuminate the world and can equip you to carve your own path toward greater freedom, success, and fulfillment.

We’ll dig into the pursuit of happiness, the morality of capitalism, current political issues, reason versus faith, building a career you love, and more.
Join us for deep discussions with experts and fellow students, ask your burning questions, build a community of inspiring peers and mentors, and walk away with greater clarity and confidence to achieve your dreams.

For the incredible experience I have had, all that it has meant to me, and all that I hope to use it to kindle a brighter future for myself and my convictions—thank you."

— John

Discover

Explore Ayn Rand’s life-affirming philosophy of reason, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism in an atmosphere of growth and camaraderie.

Connect

Engage with experts and build a network of ambitious individuals who inspire you to achieve your highest values.

Thrive

Gain greater clarity and confidence to fuel your pursuit of happiness.

Whether you’ve read only one of Rand’s works or have devoured them all, this conference will elevate your perspective and give you tools to enhance your life.

Engage with leading experts in Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism.

I found it's very rare that you can have such intellectual intensity be effortless as well... This experience of joy and connection and productivity really is something I will try to keep up when I go back to Germany."

— Daphne

Build a community based on shared values.

The lectures have been insightful, the people I've met brilliant and kind, and—I hope—the community here permanent. This was truly, in a not-kitsch manner, a soul nourishing experience."

— Nicholas

Learn about pursuing a career promoting reason and freedom.

It's shown me, actually, ways in which things that I have wanted to do for a long time are possible. I see a clearer path, and I can't express how grateful I am. It's truly life changing."

— Connor

Speakers

Sessions are led by world class-teachers who combine subject-matter expertise with a deep knowledge of Objectivism.
Dr. Ben Bayer
Senior Fellow and Director of Content, Ayn Rand Institute
Dr. Bayer is a senior fellow and director of content at the Ayn Rand Institute. He teaches at ARU and gives talks and interviews for ARI. He writes and edits for ARI’s online publication, New Ideal. Dr. Bayer’s writing focuses primarily on the application of philosophy to contemporary cultural and political controversies.
Dr. Onkar Ghate
Chief Philosophy Officer,
Ayn Rand Institute
Dr. Ghate is senior fellow, chief philosophy officer, and a board member of the Ayn Rand Institute. He specializes in Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, and is ARi’s senior instructor and editor. He publishes and lectures on Rand’s philosophy and fiction, including application of Objectivism to cultural issues, and has been a guest on national radio and television programs.
Elan Journo
Senior Fellow and Senior Vice President, Ayn Rand Institute
Mr. Journo is a senior fellow and senior vice president at ARI, overseeing content, advanced intellectual training, and the Ayn Rand Archives. His books include What Justice Demands: America and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Failing to Confront Islamic Totalitarianism: What Went Wrong after 9/11, and Illuminating Ayn Rand.
Dr. Gregory Salmieri
Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Salmieri teaches philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Brigham Fellowship for the Study of Objectivism and directs the Salem Center’s Objectivity Program. Dr. Salmieri is the co-editor of A Companion to Ayn Rand (2016), Foundations of a Free Society (2019), and Two Philosophers: Aristotle and Ayn Rand (2026).

Tal Tsfany

President and CEO,
Ayn Rand Institute

Mr. Tsfany is president and CEO of the Ayn Rand Institute. Previously, he was an entrepreneur, investor, and executive in the software world in Israel and the United States. Mr. Tsfany runs the Happiness Team and the Hero Mastermind programs guiding participants to rationally pursue their values. He is the author of Secrets of a Passionate Life.

Location

Austin, Texas

Experience AynRandCon in the heart of Austin, one of America’s most vibrant and creative cities. Take in the city’s live music scene, enjoy world-class barbecue and Tex-Mex, and connect with friends old and new along lively streets and scenic outdoor spaces.
Venue

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Capitol

Located within two blocks of the Texas Capitol and short walks to the University of Texas at Austin, Moody Center, Waterloo Park and the Moody Amphitheater.
Learn More

Registration

Registration for AynRandCon-Europe 2026 is now closed.
Join our list and be the first to get details about AynRandCon-Europe 2027.

Buy Tickets

Ticket to 3-day conference. Opening reception on Friday, all talks at the venue, Saturday and Sunday buffet lunches, and a social event on Saturday evening that will include drinks and heavy appetizers.

Note: All prices are in USD. 

Adult ticket early-bird pricing ends June 14.

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
ARCUS 2026 Student Ticket
Full-time students of any age with a valid student ID.
$ 150.00
Unlimited
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ARCUS 2026 Adult Ticket
Any adult non-student interested in attending.
$ 500.00 $ 400.00
Unlimited
ARCUS 2026 Sponsorship
Your generous sponsorship finances travel scholarships to AynRandCon for promising students of Ayn Rand’s philosophy.
$ 500.00
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Sponsor Students

Your generous sponsorship finances travel scholarships to AynRandCon for promising students of Ayn Rand’s philosophy.

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What Participants Say

Past attendees have called AynRandCon one of the most inspiring weekends of their lives — a place for big ideas, real debate, and meaningful connection.
“Fascinating and full of intelligent debate and questions.”
“First time I have been in the presence of so many Objectivists—it was a thrill.”
“…the opportunity to have a conversation with the speakers was incredibly valuable.”
“…an environment so friendly and encouraging with interesting and kind people is rare to find.”
“...a great way to meet like minded people who share core values. The speakers were motivating and incredibly insightful…”
“It was truly one of the best weekends of my life.”
“...amazing to meet so many interesting people and have serious conversations about ideas.”
“The people were great—never been in a room of young people so full of hope, idealism, and knowledge.”
“Speakers and attendees were really friendly, and meeting ambitious people was seriously inspiring! Speakers were super eager to answer questions…”
“…an excellent introductory exposure to deep ideas of reason, morality, freedom and capitalism.”
“Very stimulating … I'm still buzzing a week afterwards.”
“I cannot overstate how fulfilling it feels to finally have friends with whom I share deep values and principles.”
“I finally understand what people mean when they say it’s like being in the Gulch; it brought out the best, most excitable, most enthusiastic, most friendly, most outgoing parts of me.”
“Everybody was very friendly, curious, and happy to be connecting with others with similar views of the world.”
“I think everyone open-minded who values rationality above all will find the experience at ARC fascinating!”

FAQ

We designed the content to appeal to young people who want to learn more about Objectivism from world experts in Rand’s philosophy. Attendees should be familiar with Ayn Rand’s fiction and have an interest in her nonfiction works.

Yes! In addition to taking questions during their sessions, AynRandCon speakers are happy to make themselves available for discussion whenever there is a break in the conference programming. We encourage you to interact with speakers during breaks, receptions, and meals.
Day passes will not be sold and you should plan to attend both Saturday and Sunday programming. To ensure scholarship funds are put to full use, we require attendees receiving a scholarship to attend all lectures and events included in their scholarship package.

The registration fee will be refunded for cancellations made by July 31, 2026. Please contact us at events@aynrand.org if you are no longer able to attend the conference.

Student pricing is available for full-time students of any age with a valid student ID. Attendance at student events may be required to receive the discounted student pricing. Exceptions may be granted for unique circumstances (e.g., one is returning to school after an absence but not yet a current student). Contact us if you have a question about your eligibility.

The main way to interact with attendees before the conference is to join the AynRandCon-Europe WhatsApp group. There, you can meet other attendees and chat about plans for the conference.
Post a message on the AynRandCon-Europe WhatsApp group to connect with other attendees concerning rooms and travel.

The conference includes a Friday night reception with light fare, Saturday and Sunday buffet lunches, and a social event on Saturday evening that will include drinks and heavy appetizers. Please contact us at events@aynrand.org if you have further questions about meals.

The conference will be photographed and filmed and has a “smart“ or ”smart casual” dress code, which means casual but presentable and neat. If you have questions, contact us at events@aynrand.org.

No private audio or video recording is allowed. ARI may record conference events and make them available later through our YouTube channel and other outlets. However, you are encouraged to take photos and post on X (#AynRandCon)! We only ask that you refrain from using flash photography during the talks so as not to disturb the speakers and other attendees.

We will not be livestreaming AynRandCon-USA 2026.

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Send us an email at events@aynrand.org and we’ll be happy to help.
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