The Atlas Society will hold its annual celebration of open Objectivism over three full days June 29-July 1, 2012, in the elegant setting of the Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.

The Atlas Summit (the Summer Seminar) theme is "Either-Or: Atlas Shrugged and the Future of Individualism."

TAS's Edward Hudgins will kick off the seminar by explaining how true Atlas Shrugged has become as a prophecy of today's crises. Today, our society faces a stark choice: Either individualism and freedom will lead to prosperity; Or collectivism and big government will bring us further and further down.

Television news star John Stossel will host a special Summer Seminar supper event, Friday, June 29, where leaders in the political fight for freedom will discuss the role of Atlas Shrugged in inspiring their fight.  Guests will include Grover Norquist, the influential president of Americans for Tax Reform, Libertarian Presidential Candicate (and former NM Governor) Gary Johnson, Reason foundation founder and Atlas Society Trustee Robert Poole, and Congressman Allen West. There are more announcements to come on what we expect to be a news-making panel.

Your registration includes the Friday dinner and catered receptions Thursday, June 28 and Sunday, July 1. And the seminar will hold a convivial "common room" get-together each evening.

Program and Speakers

Speakers include philosophers Stephen Hicks, David Kelley, and Fred Seddon; psychotherapist Joel Wade; Steve Davis, director of advanced projects at SpaceX, the leading providers of private innovation in spaceflight; financier Ziad Abdelnour on "Economic Warfare"; and many more.

Continuing the Atlas Shrugged theme, investor, commentator, and author Donald Luskin will present "I Am John Galt: The Dangerous Fight for Freedom Today." What challenges face those who, like Rand's hero, stand up against the leading collectivists threatening our culture?

The Atlas Society's staff will bring keen Objectivist insights to every day of the program. William R Thomas will address career, goodwill, and trust as values in Atlas Shrugged. TAS COO Aaron Day will argue that "Atlas Should Shrug Now!" And TAS's Business Rights Center will bring business issues front and center will talks from Roger Donway on "The Backdated Options Rich-Hunt" and from Alexander R. Cohen on why insider trading is ethical and should be legal. Donway will be joined by former Brocade Communications CEO Greg Reyes, who will present his personal perspective on being persecuted for doing business.

"Either-Or" was Ayn Rand's title for Part 2 of her magnum opus. A special feature of the 2012 Summer Seminar is sure to be our early look at elements of the movie Atlas Shrugged Part 2, which will start filming soon. We expect the filmmakers to attend in force for a celebration of the new movie, Saturday, June 30.

Hotel Reservations

We have reserved a block of luxurious rooms at the Renaissance at a special rate. Standard rooms are $189 plus tax (compare to $349 normally). An upgrade to a larger, "Capital Room" may be possible for $50 additional. You can make your hotel reservations online now with no payment due until you check in. (If you are interested in an upgrade, register for a standard room and then contact conferencedirector@atlassociety.org with your request.) Most Summer Seminar participants should plan to check in June 28 and check out July 2.

Students at the Seminar

The Summer Seminar is a great place for students to learn about Objectivism and the values Ayn Rand promoted. We offer a discounted student registration rate. And students may apply for tuition waivers and room and board scholarships, too. In addition, limited travel funds are available for students traveling long distances, or traveling internationally, or with exceptional financial problems.  Apply by May 18.

For students and such others who care to brave mild discomfort to save money, we have reserved double dorm rooms at Catholic University (half and hour away by foot and Metro rail). Students have first dibs on these rooms, but there should be plenty of rooms available. (However, we will refund by May 28 any dorm registrations that we cannot honor).

Live Streaming

If you can't make it to the Summer Seminar, you might enjoy catching some or all of the sessions online via our new live-streaming service. Live streaming registrants will receive their personal log in information ahead of the seminar, and can watch as much or as little of the Seminar as they like.

Cancellation and Refunds

If you cancel your Summer Seminar registration ticket before May 29, you will receive a full refund. Between May 29 and June 22, refunds will be pro-rated based on costs we have incurred. There will be no refunds after June 22.

Renaissance Hotel reservations are usually refundable up until the check in day (see the details when you register for your room). Catholic University dormitory accommodations are not refundable after May 29.