Memories of the First Property and Freedom Society Meeting, May 2026

by Stephan Kinsella on May 10, 2026

The inaugural meeting of the PFS was held 20 years ago this month, from May 18–22, 2006. It was a wonderful, magical event, and set the stage for the years to come. I and others have written various reports discussing subsequent meetings as well. (Collected at PFS Press & Offsite Material) For more coverage of that meeting and info about the PFS, see below.

As noted on our History and Principles page, the idea of founding an international society for the promotion of “Austro-Libertarianism,” the economic and social philosophy most prominently represented during the 20th century by the Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises and his leading American student Murray N. Rothbard, and tying back to the 19th century French economists Frederic Bastiat and Gustave de Molinari, were first presented by Hans-Hermann Hoppe in August 2005 during a small informal gathering at the annual Mises Institute Summer University, in Auburn, Alabama. Those present at the meeting, Thomas DiLorenzo , Guido Hülsmann, and Ralph Raico, welcomed the project, and Guelcin Imre offered to host the inaugural meeting of the society in Bodrum, Turkey.

As such, the PFS stands for an uncompromising intellectual radicalism: for justly acquired private property, freedom of contract, freedom of association—which logically implies the right to not associate with, or to discriminate against—anyone in one’s personal and business relations—and unconditional free trade. It condemns imperialism and militarism and their fomenters, and champions peace.

Its meetings are based on a “salon” model. In the words of Professor Hoppe in 2010, at the Fifth Annual Meeting:

After the first meeting, 5 years ago, here at the Karia Princess, my plan became more specific still. Inspired by the charm of the place and its beautiful garden, I decided to adopt the model of a salon for the Property And Freedom Society and its meetings. The dictionary defines a salon as “a gathering of intellectual, social, political, and cultural elites under the roof of an inspiring hostess or host, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation.” Take the “political” out of this definition—and there you have it what I have tried to accomplish for the last few years, together with Gülcin, my wife and fellow Misesian, without whose support none of this would be possible: to be hostess and host to a grand and extended annual salon, and to make it, with your help, the most attractive and illustrious salon there is. [Video here and streamed below]¹

Beginning in 2012, the annual meetings were moved to September for logistical reasons. It was held every year except for 2020 which was canceled due to worldwide response to Covid. Thus, the upcoming PFS 2026 Annual Meeting will be the twentieth annual meeting and also the 20th anniversary of the PFS.

Below is my amateur video footage and photographs, plus those of Sean Gabb. I may add more later if other attendees send to me.