APEE 50th Meeting Information

Program Schedule

The complete program schedule for the APEE 50th Meeting is available to view at the link below. The program schedule displays all events scheduled for the conference program. The conference program is searchable using the CTRL+F function.

Expected participants will receive correspondence informing them of their session assignment(s) and instructions for coordinating their preparation with the other participants in their session(s). Room assignments for breakout sessions will be published in the printed conference program and on the online program listing at the start of the meeting.

More information about all conference programs and plenary sessions is published below. Admission to all scheduled conference events is included in the conference registration fee.

Program Schedule

Registration and Check-In
Sunday, April 5, 2026
2:00-7:15 PM

APEE conference registrants may check in at the Conference Registration Desk at Caesars Palace Las Vegas to receive conference materials and badge credentials. More details will be sent to all registered and expected participants via email announcements and reminders.

Opening Reception and Dinner
Sunday, April 5, 2026
6:00-9:00 PM | Palace III

Herman W. Lay Memorial Award
Richard J. Stephenson

APEE will present the 2026 Herman W. Lay Memorial Award to Richard J. Stephenson. APEE will recognize Richard for his entrepreneurial success and commitment to private enterprise education through his longstanding philanthropy at Wabash College, particularly to The Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism.

Adam Smith Award
Richard K. Vedder | Ohio University

APEE will also present the 2026 Adam Smith Award to Richard K. Vedder, Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University. APEE will recognize Rich for his extensive record of scholarly achievement in areas related to the APEE mission. Rich’s most recent book Let Colleges Fail: The Power of Creative Destruction in Higher Education (Independent Institute, 2025) will enhance the exploration and discussion of the APEE 50th Meeting theme The History of Private Enterprise Education.

Breakout/Plenary Sessions
Monday, April 6, 2026
Tuesday, April 7, 2026

The registration fee includes access to all breakout, plenary sessions, and special programs listed below. Registrants are invited to enjoy continental breakfast and a luncheon on both days.

Stephenson Institute Plenary Session
Monday, April 6, 2026
9:20-10:20 AM | Milano II

Panel Discussion: The Past, Present, and Future of APEE

Join moderator Matt Kibbe (Free the People) and APEE leaders past and present for a discussion about the Association’s early years, how it has evolved, and where APEE is going.

APEE gratefully acknowledges the generosity of The Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism at Wabash College for support of this plenary session.

Awards Luncheon
Monday, April 6, 2026
11:45 AM-1:05 PM | Palace III

APEE will present the 2026 membership awards at the Awards Luncheon:

Liberty Fund, Inc. Undergraduate Research Competition and Reception
Monday, April 6, 2026
5:10-6:10 PM | Palace III

Plan to join your friends and colleagues, and to support the next generation of APEE scholars participating in the 2026 Undergraduate Research Competition. Students will present in a poster competition hosted during an all-conference reception following the end of the first day’s breakout sessions.

APEE gratefully acknowledges the continued generosity of Liberty Fund, Inc. for support of this program.

R. Bruce Den Uyl Memorial Plenary Session
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
9:20-10:20 AM | Milano II

Work Hard, Play Hard: A History of The Association of Private Enterprise Education
Marcus Witcher | West Virginia University

The evolution of APEE from a small group of free enterprise chairs into an international organization with over 350 active members has involved hard work, dedication, and some luck. APEE 2026 Program Chair Robert Lawson (Southern Methodist University) will moderate a discussion with Marcus Witcher, drawing on Marcus’ archival research and thirty oral interviews that form the basis of a working manuscript project about the history of APEE. They will discuss the personalities that made the growth and success of APEE possible, recount some of the key moments of the organization’s history, and explore why APEE means so much to so many people.

All registrants to the APEE 50th Meeting will be invited to receive a complimentary copy of the book after it has been published.

APEE gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Douglas Den Uyl (APEE President, 2015-16) for support of this plenary session and the RB Den Uyl Family Foundation for support of the APEE 2026 Young Scholars Program.

Business Luncheon
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
11:45 AM-1:05 PM | Palace III

APEE will present the 2026 Undergraduate Research Competition Awards and conduct its Annual Business Meeting. Robert Lawson (Southern Methodist University) will deliver the 2026 Presidential Address.

Free to Choose® Network Reception and Screening
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
3:45-5:30 PM | Milano II

The Wealth of Nations at 250: Was Adam Smith Right?

Free To Choose® Network invites APEE 50th Meeting attendees to a special reception and the premiere screening of their film The Wealth of Nations at 250: Was Adam Smith Right? following the last block of breakout sessions on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The reception will include complimentary cocktails and light appetizers. The APEE 50th Meeting will conclude after the screening of the film.

About the Film
Adam Smith published An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of The Wealth of Nations 250 years ago, forever changing how we understand prosperity and economic growth. Today, even the poorest citizens in developed countries live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives than the kings of centuries past. But how did this remarkable transformation happen?

From the historic canals of Amsterdam to the bustling streets of Vietnam, from the diamond mines of Botswana to the innovative vineyards of Chile, The Wealth of Nations at 250: Was Adam Smith Right?, the latest film from Free To Choose® Network shows the timeless principles that lift nations from poverty to prosperity. Through compelling human stories and stunning visuals, discover how the forces of freedom, order, and innovation have repeatedly created wealth throughout history.

At a time when protectionism is rising and economic growth is slowing across the Western world, Smith’s enduring insights offer both a celebration of human progress and a reminder of the principles that made such progress possible. Understanding these foundational forces matters deeply for anyone who cares about creating opportunities for future generations.