People who arrive early for Awakening can make reservations at a Sea Island restaurant. The Cloister restaurants reservation number is 855-572-4975.

Moderator: Rob Bluey, Vice President, Communications, The Heritage Foundation and Executive Editor, The Daily Signal  

Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., President, The Heritage Foundation 

Join us for casual conversation, coffee, and live caricature drawings for the kids.

Welcome Remarks: Angela Sailor, J.D., Vice President, Edwin J. Feulner Institute, The Heritage Foundation 

Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., President, The Heritage Foundation 

The American Dream: Seeking the Challenge to Make a Difference 

Moderator: Thomas Binion, Vice President, Government Relations, The Heritage Foundation 

The Honorable Kat Cammack, United States House of Representatives, Florida 

Straight Talk 

Education Rightly Understood 

Wilfred McClay, Ph.D., Professor of History at Hillsdale College and America250 Commissioner 

Young Americans Against Socialism

Morgan Zegers, Founder & CEO, Young Americans Against Socialism 

The Power of Fair and Free Elections 

Jessica Anderson, Executive Director, Heritage Action for America 

Safeguard the future of our republic from partisan federal bureaucrats who want to control state election laws, thwart election reform, and manipulate state redistricting decisions. Know your rights. The right to vote in a free and fair election is the most basic civil right to be protected and preserved. 

Moderator: Jessica Anderson, Executive Director, Heritage Action for America  

The Honorable John Albers, Georgia Senate 

Robert McClure, Ph.D., President and CEO, The James Madison Institute

Hans von Spakovsky, Manager Election Law Reform Initiative and  Senior Legal Fellow, Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, The Heritage Foundation  

A growing number of Americans believe social media platforms actively censor political views that challenge and contradict the left-leaning ideologies of those companies. Join this important discussion to understand how you can protect your family and community from Big Tech’s efforts to suspend and restrict digital services and enact viewpoint discrimination propagated by China, the media, and various cultural sectors. Take action by supporting new technologies and companies that stand up for free expression.  

Moderator: Rob Bluey, Vice President, Communications, The Heritage Foundation and Executive Editor, The Daily Signal 

Dustin Carmack, Research Fellow in Technology Policy, The Heritage Foundation 

This panel will address our rights and how schools and organizations are contravening constitutional provisions, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and other civil rights statutes in training programs, curriculum, or other school activities. Gain a deeper knowledge of how we can protect children from racial discrimination, prohibit compelled speech, and promote transparency over public school curriculum. 

Moderator: Jonathan Butcher, Will Skillman Fellow in Education, The Heritage Foundation  

Mike Gonzalez, Senior Fellow, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy and Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum Fellow, The Heritage Foundation 

Emilie Kao, Senior Counsel & Vice President of Advocacy Strategy, Alliance Defending Freedom 

Melissa Moschella, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy & Heritage Visiting Scholar

At a moment of existential crisis, we must pause and take the time to pass down the principles of patriotism to our posterity. Engage in an honest conversation about the greatest challenges parents face in teaching freedom, equality, and government by consent of the governed. Learn about easy-to-use resources that deepen a child's appreciation for the founding ideas that give rise to the knowledge that men are created equal and endowed with God-given rights that no person can remove. 

Moderator: Joseph Loconte, Ph.D., Director, B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies and AWC Family Foundation Fellow, The Heritage Foundation 

Connor Boyack, Author, The Tuttle Twins, and Founder and President, Libertas Institute 

Jill Simonian, Director of Outreach, PragerU Kids

What role must every American play in the multi-year commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States that culminates on July 4, 2026. Conservatives have an opportunity to shape the narrative by inspiring Americans through the power of imagination, elevating stories rooted in the founding principles, inspiring service in our communities, and demonstrating the lasting durability of the American experiment. Come discuss the opportunities to celebrate our story of freedom and opportunity. 

Moderator: Angela Sailor, J.D., Vice President, Edwin J. Feulner Institute, The Heritage Foundation and America250 Civics Advisory Board 

Cathy Gillespie, Co-Chair, Constituting America and America250 Commissioner 

Wilfred McClay, Ph.D., Professor of History at Hillsdale College and America250 Commissioner 

The rise of China is the most persistent and consequential challenge that will confront the United States for the next several decades. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, China served as an irresponsible global actor that threatened American cultural, economic, political, and military interests worldwide. Learn how the U.S. is protecting our vital interests in the short and long-term to sustain our leadership strength through multiple generations of Chinese regimes.  

Moderator: Richard Reinsch, Editor, Law & Liberty and Host, LibertyLawTalk 

Dustin Carmack, Research Fellow in Technology Policy, The Heritage Foundation 

Dean Cheng, Senior Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, The Heritage Foundation  

Morgan Zegers, Founder & CEO, Young Americans Against Socialism 

The World Beyond Brexit: US/UK Relations 

The Right Honourable Dr. Liam Fox, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom 

Please drop off children by 7:00 p.m

The Strength of American Leadership: Leaving a Legacy of Liberty             

Moderator: Genevieve Wood, Senior Advisor and Spokesperson, The Heritage Foundation 

The Honorable Mike Pence, Former Vice President of the United States 

Straight Talk 

The Case for Free Markets 

Andrew Puzder, Former CEO of CKE Restaurants 

The Family

Ian Rowe, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute 

COVID-19 

Thomas Binion, Vice President, Government Relations, The Heritage Foundation 

A strong America requires strong families. Interest in marriage is higher among the rich, religious, and Republicans, while projections suggest a record share of today’s young Americans will never marry and have children. The decline in marriage threatens the health and well-being of individuals and the broader society. Americans are asking what is the promise of life lived in loving commitments to others, and what are the pressing tasks we must take on to advance that vision? Hear the experts examine what’s driving these dynamics—and join the discussion for solutions that navigate our way back to the basics. 

Moderator: Marie Fishpaw, Director, Domestic Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation 

Randy Hicks, President & CEO, Georgia Center for Opportunity 

Ian Rowe, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute 

Brad Wilcox, Ph.D., Institute for Family Studies, University of Virginia

The left uses cancel culture and corporate woke mandates to eviscerate free-market principles with equity, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies that stifle economic freedom. We must stop the growing popularity of socialist practices in both the public and private sectors. Come dialogue with thought leaders and practitioners about opportunities to refocus the moral case for capitalism.  

Moderator:  Andrew Olivastro, Director, Coalition Relations, The Heritage Foundation 

Samuel Gregg, Ph.D., Research Director, Acton Institute

Andrew Puzder, Former CEO of CKE Restaurants 

Americans faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic with disruptions throughout our lives and livelihoods, often compounded by politicized decisions that continue to impact us today. As we look forward, many are asking questions about the after-effects of this experience. So what are America’s prospects for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Did the pandemic create opportunities and advancements? What failures should we address? 

Moderator: Thomas Binion, Vice President, Government Relations, The Heritage Foundation 

Doug Badger, Senior Fellow, Domestic Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation 

Peter St. Onge, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Economic Policy, The Heritage Foundation 

Reach for the Sky: Building Dreams and Leading Teams That Can  Accomplish Anything

John Venable, Senior Research Fellow for Defense Policy, Center for National Defense, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy,  The Heritage Foundation 

Drive Thru America: The Right Turn 

Dave Stotts, Host, Drive Thru History  

Semi-formal attire. Children 10 years and older are invited to attend.
 

Presentation of the Great American Award 
 

Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives 

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Former White House Press Secretary 

Entertainment by the Daddy-Daughter Duo, Mat & Savanna Shaw 

Cloister Chapel

This non-denominational church service is led by Lucas Ramirez, a member of the Awakening Advisory Board. Lucas is a keynote speaker, author and serves as President of The Gathering Place, a next generation mentorship and Christian leadership development ministry. Join us for an inspiring service to start the new year with a focus on our faith. 

Moderator: Katharine Gorka, Director, Civil Society and the American Dialogue, The Heritage Foundation

The Honorable Byron Donalds, United States House of Representatives, Florida

Erika Donalds, President & CEO, The Optima Foundation