BLISS Summit 2026
Agenda February 2-5
Dress Code for BLISS
The recommended attire for BLISS is casual and comfortable, ideal for Nosara's warm February weather, with daytime temperatures around 92–94°F (33–34°C) and nighttime lows between 71–77°F (22–25°C). Light, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton will help you stay cool throughout the day.
Remember to bring comfortable shoes or sandals suited for uneven terrain, along with essentials like a hat, sunglasses, a bathing suit, and sunscreen for protection against the sun. While evenings are generally warm, a light shawl or jacket could come in handy for post-sunset activities. Embrace Nosara's relaxed beach-town spirit and stay cool and connected! Bring activewear if you would like to participate in the morning activities.
Day 1
Monday, February 2
Guest Arrival & Registration
The Freedom Festival
Art, music, and stories that honor freedom advocates and launch the Freedom Academy
Day 2
Tuesday, February 3
Morning Speaker Sessions
Dr. Alvaro Salas-Castro, President & CEO, The Reynolds Foundation; Founder, BLISS Summit
Damon Wilson, President & CEO, National Endowment for Democracy
Pedro Urruchurtu, Director of International Relations, María Corina Machado – Vente Venezuela; & Max Reynolds, Director of Projects, The Reynolds Foundation
Luis Lacalle Pou, Former President of Uruguay (2020–2025)
Panel: Andrés Valenciano, CEO, Democracia+; Roberto Salinas, Director of International Affairs, University of Liberty; Camelia Ilie, President, INCAE Business School; & Nia Demming, CEO, Demo Lab Foundation
Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, Member of the Spanish Parliament
Panel: Dionisio Gutiérrez, President, Liberty & Development Foundation; Tim Reynolds, Founder & Chairman, The Reynolds Foundation; & Ninfa Salinas Sada, Chairwoman, Azteca Foundation of Grupo Salinas; Former Mexican Senator
Group Activation
With Dr. Dan Siegel, President & Co-Founder, Mind Your Brain
Freedom Lounge Experience
With Anaïse Kanimba, Director, Africa Bitcoin Institute;
Lilian Tintori, Project Director, Political Prisoners Support Team, World Liberty Congress; Dread, Founder, Flash; Noemi Salas-Boyer, Chairwoman, Demo Lab Foundation; & Ann DeSollar-Hale
Freedom & Peace Dinner
The Laura Chinchilla Prize and the Demo Lab 10th Anniversary
Day 3
Wednesday, February 4
Morning Activities
Morning Speaker Sessions
General H.R. McMaster, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Panel: Rosa María Payá, Cuban Activist; Elected Commissioner, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; & Masih Alinejad, Founder, My Stealthy Freedom
Nia Demming, CEO, Demo Lab Foundation; & Dr. Rachel Riedl, Director, Center on Global Democracy, Cornell University
Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Award-Winning Investigative Journalist and Author of Beijing Rules, Covering China, Technology, and Global Power
Jack Mallers, Founder & CEO, Strike
Speed-Dating for Freedom
Fast, focused showcases of high-impact civic projects. Each moment is designed to turn ideas into alliances, and alliances into impact