Sample Conference Day
Although the schedule changes every year, this reflects a typical schedule. The daily schedule is a mix of in-depth sessions, networking opportunities and field trips developed by Freedom Forum, with sightseeing at the U.S. Capitol, memorials and monuments coordinated by our longtime partner the Close Up Foundation.
| 7-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9-11:45 a.m. | Two morning panels/sessions with top reporters, storytellers and entrepreneurs |
| Noon-1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:45-4:30 p.m. | Field trip/panels |
| 4:30-5 p.m. | Free time |
| 5-7 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7-10 p.m. | D.C. site visits |
| 10-11 p.m. | Free time in hotel |
| 11 p.m. | Curfew |
| Special Events During the 2025 Conference | |
| June 23 | 2025 class dinner with Free Spirit Alumni |
| June 25 | Freedom Forum’s Free Expression Awards dinner and ceremony with thought leaders, influencers, policymakers and journalists |
“From [USA TODAY Network reporter] Douglas Soule's advice for journalism in college to Chuck Todd explaining why he moderated “Meet the Press,” a lot of the journalists stayed and had conversations with us, and that made the conference even more impactful.”
Yoni Zacks, 2024 Free Spirit Scholar, Minnesota
