Global Summit XVII
Join us, for our 17th year of serving the Erie community with a new Global Summit lineup of groundbreaking researchers, writers, and presenters. The JES invites speakers from around the world to speak on a broad range of globally important issues each year as part of our Global Summit Speaker Series.
Global Summit 2025 Featuring
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jim Kelly, Dr. Larry J Sabato & more!

A Journey of Perseverance: An Evening with Jim Kelly

October 22nd,2025 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: TBD
Professor / Instructor / Speaker: Jim Kelly

Date/Time: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 7:00-8:30PM

Location: TBD

Admission:

  • General Admission (Early Bird Pricing) $25.00
  • Preferred Seating  (Early Bird Pricing) $50.00 (Closest Section Near the Stage)

Parking: TBD

NEED TO KNOW INFO: 

  • Arrive early: Doors open at 6:00 p.m., please be patient with our volunteers and staff as we all make sure the event is enjoyed by all.
  • Seating: Seating is first-come, first-served per each designated section.  
  • Photo ID: You must present your photo ID at the door to enter the event.
  • Ticket holders: NO ONE who is not registered BY NAME will be admitted. If you purchased tickets for someone who is no longer able to attend, you must call to update us with the name of the person coming in their place. Tickets cannot be transferred to anyone while checking into the event. Please call us to update any ticket holder information 48 hours before the event- 814.459.8000.
  • Updated information: Please check the JES website, JESErie.org, for the most up-to-date event information.
Jim Kelly

Jim Kelly is a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who spent his entire NFL career as a Buffalo Bill. His hallmark as a player was his toughness. From growing up in East Brady, a    small town in Pennsylvania, to facing a career threatening injury in his college days, to leading the Buffalo Bills team to an unprecedented four straight AFC championships, Jim’s toughness has been tested time and time again. After his retirement, not only did he lose his one and only son Hunter at the age of 8, to a disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy, Jim has also survived four battles with cancer. Jim speaks about the power of the four F’s – Faith, Family, Friends, and Fans and what it really means to make a difference. His story is “A Journey of Perseverance.