Upcoming Events
Fireside Chat on the Future of Conservatism
August 28 | San Francisco, CA
With Vice President Mike Pence and Rich Lowry
William F. Buckley Jr. is often remembered for the publisher’s statement in National Review’s inaugural issue in 1955—its mission to “stand athwart history, yelling Stop!” With that bold call to resist the rise and follies of the Left, Buckley helped lead a modern conservative movement that was remarkably ecumenical. All factions of conservatism—barring a few exceptions—were given a place at National Review, with the belief that internal debate would keep conservative ideas strong, thoughtful, and principled.
Today, American conservatism stands at a crossroads, challenged to commit itself once again to the foundational, fusionist principles that have long guided the movement.
Vice President Mike Pence addressed this concern in National Affairs in a recent essay co-authored with the late Dr. Ed Feulner, founder of the Heritage Foundation. Join Vice President Pence and National Review‘s Rich Lowry for a timely conversation on this pivotal moment for our movement: What does it mean to be a conservative in 2025?
Please join us for a discussion on the future of conservatism, the rise of populism, its areas of alignment and friction with fusionist ideals, and the implications for policy and political discourse.
This event is being co-sponsored by National Review Institute and the Briones Society, a San Francisco–based nonprofit founded by principled conservatives and dedicated to advancing our shared values: limited government, free enterprise, educational freedom, and safe communities.
Register Here
Book Launch with Dan Flynn
September 10 | NYC
This August, American Spectator editor Dan Flynn will be releasing a fresh biography of Meyer with ISI Books and Encounter, The Man Who Invented Conservatism: The Unlikely Life of Frank S. Meyer. In it, Flynn shows his deep research ripe with new discoveries and fascinating details. He explores every aspect of Meyer’s life, particularly his rebellion against the values of his parents, his time as a student at elite universities like Princeton and Oxford where he focused on Communist organizing, and his later conversion to conservatism which brought him to the pages of National Review and by the end of his life, Catholicism. Flynn argues that it was Meyer, first and foremost, who united the right with his “Big Idea” which fused the American tradition and ordered freedom of the founding with libertarianism.
Join us September 10 at the offices of National Review (19 W 44th Street, Suite 1701 NYC) at 5 PM for an interview and conversation with Dan Flynn about his fantastic new book. All attendees will receive a copy of the book and have the opportunity to get it signed by Dan.
Register Here
Buckley: Conservative or Libertarian?
September 16, 2025 | Boston, MA
WFB100 Partnership Event with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute featuring Michael Brendan Dougherty, Dan McCarthy, and Charles C. W. Cooke
William F. Buckley Jr. founded the modern American conservative movement. After graduating from Yale University in 1950, Buckley published his first book, a scathing critique of the Yale faculty and American academia, God and Man at Yale. Two mentors played significant roles in the writing of the book: Yale professor Willmoore Kendall and Columbia alumnus Frank Chodorov. Buckley served as the first president of the Intercollegiate Society of Individualists (later known as the Intercollegiate Studies Institute) which was founded by Frank Chodorov in 1953. Shortly thereafter, in November 1955, Buckley founded his own journal of conservative thought which would change American politics and life forever, National Review. To celebrate his centennial year, ISI and NRI are partnering to host a debate, “Buckley: Conservative or Libertarian?”
Michael Brendan Dougherty will take the conservative side, Daniel McCarthy will take the libertarian side, and Charles C. W. Cooke will serve as moderator. Often held as the paragon of a conservative-libertarian fusionism, was Buckley more conservative or more libertarian? How did Buckley embody fusionism, what constituted fusionism, and does fusionism exist in such an intellectual and political coalition today? If today’s MAGA movement constitutes a new fusionism, would Buckley be part of it?
Register Here
WFB100 Partnership Event on The Future of Religious Conservatism: Reflections on the Centennial of William F. Buckley Jr.
September 17, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
A co-sponsored event with the National Review Institute and The Collegium Institute
Central to the life and principles of William F. Buckley Jr., the founder of National Review, was his steadfast Catholic faith. In a famous passage in his first book, God and Man at Yale, Buckley wrote of the cause of protecting Christian civilization against the threat of atheistic materialistic Communism: “I believe the duel between Christianity and atheism is the most important in the world. I further believe that the struggle between individualism and collectivism is the same struggle reproduced on another level.” Buckley’s faith would go on in his career to inform not just his stalwart anti-Communism, but role in the pro-life movement and his determined support for school prayer. On the 238th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, this conversation will also be an opportunity to consider Buckley’s views of religious liberty, the role of religion in public life, and how they can continue to inspire Americans into the future. Panelists include Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, John Dilulio, University of Pennsylvania, Robert P. George, and Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review.
Register Here
“William F. Buckley Jr. at 100” Partnership Event with PRI
October 4, 2025 | Newport Beach, California
WFB100 Event with the Pacific Research Institute featuring Rich Lowry, Ramesh Ponnuru and Charles Kesler
This will be a two part event with a lecture on the WFB lecture with Ramesh Ponnuru, Peter Robinson, and Charles Kesler and a special, invitation-only event will take place on a yacht in celebration of Bill’s passion for sailing, as evidenced especially through his books Racing Through Paradise, Airborne, Windfall, and Atlantic High which carried readers vividly along for Bill’s biggest adventures on the seas including his voyages across the Atlantic ocean and the Columbus passage. The discussion will be followed by a dinner at the Balboa Bay Club.
Register Here
William F. Buckley Jr. at 100
October 23, 2025 | Grand Rapids, MI
WFB100 Event with the Russell Kirk Center, the Acton Institute, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
This one-day conference will celebrate the legacy of WFB with panels on the Role of Education in Society featuring Kathryn Lopez, George Nash, Darrell Falconberg, and Jeff Nelson and Fusionisms, Old and New featuring Charlie Cooke, Stephanie Slade, Nathan Schlueter, and John Pinheiro. Special remarks will be given by Gleaves Whitney, Rev. Robert Sirico, and Chuck DeFeo.
Registration link coming soon
12th Annual William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner
November 5, 2025 | Palm Beach, FL
Commemorating Bill Buckley on the year that would have been his 100th birthday.
Register here
Past Events
William F. Buckley Jr. at 100: The State of American Conservatism
June 25
WFB100 Partnership Event with the Heritage Foundation and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation featuring Elizabeth Spalding
May 14
WFB100 Partnership Event with the Goldwater Institute featuring Dan McLaughlin
April 9
Maestro of American Conservatism: The Enduring Relevance of William F. Buckley Jr. at Hillsdale College featuring George H. Nash, PhD
April 8
The Pen Is Mightier: The Literary-Political Impact of William F. Buckley Jr. with the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom at the University of Mississippi featuring Steven Hayward, PhD
March 27
William F. Buckley Jr. and Christian Witness in the Media at La Salle University featuring Kathryn Lopez
March 25
National Review Institute’s Ideas Summit
March 20-21
American Conservatism and the Two-Party System with the Blue Ridge Center at the University of Virginia featuring Dan McLaughlin
February 24
2024
Fireside Chat with the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty featuring Rich Lowry
December 5
The Homefront, Ukraine, Taiwan and Everything Else After the Election with the LeMieux Center for Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University featuring Jim Geraghty
November 21
It’s All One War with the Blue Ridge Center at the University of Virginia featuring Noah Rothman
November 20
Politics on Campus: Yes and No with the Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah featuring Jay Nordlinger
November 11
Politics on Campus: Yes and No with the Walker Institute at Weber State University featuring Jay Nordlinger
November 12
Breakfast with the California Policy Center featuring Charles C. W. Cooke
October 29
The Stakes in 2024 and Beyond with the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom featuring Rich Lowry
October 16
Professional Development: Being a Woman in Conservative Media with the Network of enlightened Women and Young Women for America student chapters at Grand Canyon University featuring Caroline Downey
October 14
A Return to Federalism with the Show-Me Institute featuring Charles C. W. Cooke POSTPONED
October 9
Supreme Court Preview with the Pacific Legal Foundation featuring Dan McLaughlin WATCH HERE
October 4
Georgia Freedom Series with the Georgia Public Policy Foundation featuring Noah Rothman
October 2
2024 William F. Buckley Jr. Essay Contest Webinar WATCH HERE
September 24
World in Crisis: National Security Priorities for the Next Administration with the Institute of World Politics feat. Michael Brendan Dougherty and Noah Rothman
WATCH HERE
September 12
The Left’s War on Beauty with the New York Young Republican Club Arts Caucus featuring Brian T. Allen
July 25
How the 2024 Election Could Shape the Economy with the Lincoln Club Business League featuring Andrew Stuttaford
July 24
WFB Communicators Program
July 12-13
If you are interested in attending a donor event and would like to support NRI, please contact your local development officer.
Stephanie Cates, Southwest: stephanie@nrinstitute.org, 480.286.2886
Sherri Rowton, Southeast: sherri.rowton@nrinstitute.org, 334.332.0753
Jason Wise, Northwest: jason@nrinstitute.org, 203.273.3628
About NRI Events
WFB Jr. Prize
For his entire life, Bill Buckley sought to preserve and buttress the foundations of our free society. To honor his achievement and inspire others, NRI’s Board of Trustees created the William F. Buckley Jr. Prizes for Leadership in Political Thought and Leadership in Supporting Liberty. Notable public intellectuals, philanthropists, and leaders in the conservative movement attend to show support for our honorees, Bill Buckley’s enduring legacy, and the National Review mission.
Ideas Summit
NRI’s Ideas Summit is a biennial conference that brings together leading public intellectuals, conservative leaders and policymakers, and philanthropists to discuss topics related to conservatism and the American experiment. Around 500 donors, movement leaders, students, and young professionals attend this two-day conference.
Regional Seminars
NRI began these half-day Regional Seminars in 2018 to bring NR’s top talent out around the country to directly engage our friends, allies, and supporters. The Regional Seminars complement the Institute’s biennial Ideas Summit, which is normally held in Washington, D.C. and bring together conservatives from all corners of America.
Cruise
Beginning in 2022, NRI is continuing National Review’s 20-year tradition of memorable cruises.
Regional Partnership Events
Part of NRI’s mission is to “draw from and support other conservative institutions.” In that spirit, in December 2013, NRI began this initiative to co-sponsor events with state-based think tanks, civic groups, and other educational organizations across the United States. National Review Institute partners with organizations to co-host regional events across the country that feature NR’s top talent. By co-sponsoring these events, NRI and local groups are able to meet each other’s friends and supporters and introduce them to NR writers. NRI’s Regional Partnership Events program aims to both strengthen partner groups and build a larger National Review community around the country. It is a strategic—and mutually beneficial—relationship that invigorates the conservative movement at the grassroots level.
Debates
In 1966, Buckley took his conservative message beyond the pages of National Review and directly to the American public. Through Firing Line, for over three decades he influenced the millions of Americans who tuned in weekly for intelligent discussion—of key events, of core principles, and of leading policy makers—between powerful voices on the Left and Right. In partnership with the Hoover Institution Library and Archives, NRI celebrated the 50th anniversary of Firing Line and the Buckley legacy in three cities: Dallas, New York, and Washington, D.C. Our kickoff partnership event was held at Harlan Crow’s new Debate Chamber on the Old Parkland campus located in Dallas. True to Buckley’s legacy, this series of events provided a forum for civilized debate and discussion—lessons that important legacy still teaches us today. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Old Parkland.