CEI announces James Otteson as Simon awardee and Hernando de Soto as keynote speaker at this year’s Julian L. Simon Memorial Award Dinner

The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) is pleased to announce that American philosopher and political economist James Otteson will accept this year’s Julian L. Simon Memorial Award at CEI’s annual dinner on September 18. Institute for Liberty and Democracy president and free trade champion Hernando de Soto will give the keynote address.

Known as the “Adam Smith professor,” Otteson has taught the morality of markets, honorable business practices, and the principles of a purpose-driven life for more than a decade. He is currently the John T. Ryan Jr. Professor of Business Ethics at the Mendoza College of Business at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. He has published and coauthored many explorations into Smith’s philosophy, beginning with Adam Smith’s Marketplace of Life in 2002 and including his forthcoming Human Dignity: Surprising Implications for Taking a Key Idea Seriously. 

“It is an honor to receive this award, not only because of the esteemed company of past winners, but also for the legacy of Julian Simon himself, who reminded us that human beings are our most valuable—and indeed ‘ultimate’—resource,” said Julian Simon award winner Otteson.

“Jim Otteson gives us the tools to discover meaningful answers to the question of why we pursue a free society,” said CEI president and CEO Kent Lassman.

Lassman continued, “Liberal ideas like tolerance, mutual respect, and open exchange are the foundation for peace, prosperity, and innovation.  The Simon Award extends the legacy of Julian Simon as well as 21st-century advocates for property and contract married to human dignity.”

De Soto’s accolades include the 2018 Julian L. Simon Memorial Award, Adam Smith Award, Hayek Medal, Freedom Prize, and being named one of fifteen innovators “who will reinvent your future.” He has dedicated his career to ensuring free and open trade becomes a reality in the Americas.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to speak with CEI and its dinner guests about the importance of property rights and free trade to a just and prosperous society,” said keynote speaker de Soto.

Please join the CEI team and our special guests Jim Otteson and Hernando de Soto as we Follow the Yellow Brick Road to celebrate the power of people and ideas at the 2025 Julian L. Simon Memorial Award Dinner. CEI’s annual gala honors Simon’s vision of mankind as the ultimate resource. This year, the dinner will be held at the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

For more information about this year’s Simon Dinner and to access a registration link, please visit CEI’s event page.