The Pelican Institute for Public Policy Presents:
Solutions Summit 2026: We Hold These Truths
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center | Tuesday March 3
Today’s the day. Registration opens at 8:00 AM, and programming begins at 9:00 AM with breakfast.
Come early, grab breakfast, and start the day strong with us.Can’t make it right at 8? You can still register and join throughout the day.
What to Expect
At this year’s Summit, you’ll engage with policy and legislative leaders from Louisiana and across the country to learn about actionable and proven solutions to fix the biggest problems facing Louisiana.
The Pelican Institute will offer inspiration and practical knowledge on key policy issues, including K-12 education, tax and budget, legal and regulatory, technology and innovation, criminal justice, and more. Each session, led by a moderator and a selection of local and national experts, will be set up “interview-style” and will allow for participants to engage in a robust dialogue on these critical issues.
At this year’s Summit, you’ll engage with policy and legislative leaders from Louisiana and across the country to learn about actionable and proven solutions to fix the biggest problems facing Louisiana.
The Pelican Institute will offer inspiration and practical knowledge on key policy issues, including K-12 education, tax and budget, legal and regulatory, technology and innovation, criminal justice, and more. Each session, led by a moderator and a selection of local and national experts, will be set up “interview-style” and will allow for participants to engage in a robust dialogue on these critical issues.
SOLUTIONS SUMMIT 2026 REGISTRATION
We Hold These Truths: Solutions Summit 2026 Agenda
Registration & Breakfast with the Belles
► WWII Museum’s Victory Belles
Main Stage Welcome Remarks
Riverview Ballroom
► Speaker Phillip DeVillier
PELITalk: Taxes, Spending, and Economic Opportunity
► Christopher Butler, Americans for Tax Reform
Money Matters: 2026 Legislative Leadership Preview
► Chairman Tony Bacala
► Chairman Jack McFarland
► Chairman Glen Womack
► Chairman Mike Reese
✔ Moderated by Laurie White Adams, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Latest Pelican Pulse Poll Results Revealed!
Riverview Ballroom
Presentation:
✔ Dr. Erin Bendily
Analysis Discussion:
► John Kay
► Gordon Reese
► Julie Emerson
► Daniel Erspamer
PELITalk: School Choice to Fulfill American Promise
Networking Break – Check Out the Networking Nest!
Breakout Sessions #1
Second Chances for a Safer Louisiana
[King Room]
► Andrew Hundley, Parole Project
► Tyler Lane, Gerry Lane Enterprises
► Renee DeLouche, Louisiana Department of Corrections
► Heather Rice-Minus, Prison Fellowship
✔ Moderator: Dwight Hudson, Right on Crime
Ridiculous Regs and How to Stop Them
[Governor Room]
► Kileen Lindgren, Pacific Legal Foundation
► Sal Nuzzo, Consumers Defense
► Patrick McLaughlin, Hoover Institution
► Danny McFadden, Vulcan Technologies
► Representative Mark Wright
✔ Moderator: Sarah Harbison, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Silicon Bayou: Lead in Technology So America Can Lead the World
[Capitol Room]
► Patrick Hedger, NetChoice
► Kevin Frazier, Abundance Institute
► Logan Kolas, American Consumer Institute
► Heather Curry, Policy Edge
✔ Moderator: Vance Ginn, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Lunch & Afternoon Policy Main Stage
Riverview Ballroom
Lunch Welcome
► President Cameron Henry
PELITalk: Reigniting the American Dream
► Jason Janz, CrossPurpose
Mainstage Keynote
Future of Louisiana Energy: Public Service Commission Issues Forum
► Representative Stephanie Hilferty
► Aiden Joyner
► Representative Mark Wright
► Big John Mason
► Commissioner John Atkins
► Chris Justin
► John Young
*All qualified candidates have been invited, and a number of invitations are pending.
Networking Break – Check Out the Brand New Networking Nest!
Breakout Sessions #2
Louisiana’s Energy Moment:
How Permitting & Market Reforms Can Power Growth & Lower Costs
[Capitol Room]
► Bryce Chinault, Abundance Institute
► Paige Lambermont, Competitive Enterprise Institute
► Cynthia Niemeyer-Tieskoette, American Petroleum Institute
► Ben Sebree, Project INNERSPACE
► Josiah Neeley, R Street Institute
✔ Moderator: Melissa Landry, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Rewrite the Contract: Government Union Reforms that Protect Taxpayers
[King Room]
► Vinnie Vernuccio, Institute for the American Worker
► Mailee Smith, Illinois Policy Institute
► Kyle Wingfield, Georgia Public Policy Foundation
✔ Moderator: Sarah Harbison, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Not Done Yet, Not Giving Up: Expand Educational Options for Louisiana’s Children
[Governor Room]
► Dr. Sabrah Kingham, Office of Governor Jeff Landry
► Nathan Sanders, EdChoice
► Jude Schwalbach, Reason Foundation
► Lily Landry, Yes. Every Kid.
✔ Moderator: Dr. Erin Bendily, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Networking Break – Check Out the Brand New Networking Nest!
PeliTalk: Practical Federalism in the 21st Century
►Jennifer Butler, State Policy Network
Cocktails & Conversation: The Greatest Sentence Ever Written
► Lawson Bader, DonorsTrust & Free Society Coalition
► Walter Isaacson
✮ Guests will take home a signed copy of the book!
Closing Party: Born to Be Free
⋆✮ Toast to America’s 250th and to Pelican’s 18th ✮⋆
► Hon. Rodolphe Sambou, Consul General of the French Republic
► Special Surprise Guest
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Join Us for Networking
You won’t want to miss this event! We’ll see you there!
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
201 Lafayette St, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Interested in Sponsoring?
If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s Solutions Summit, please contact Meghan Amador at meghan@pelicaninstitute.org.
Learn More About Us
To learn more about the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, visit www.pelicanpolicy.org.