Global Summit XVI sponsorship
Support the JES's mission of fostering dialogue for the Erie region on a global level.
We are pleased to present to you the speaker lineup for the Jefferson Educational Society’s 16th Annual Global Summit. Our goal is to ensure that each year the Summit builds on past Global Summits' success. This is especially the case as we host this year’s Global Summit. Last year we hit record numbers; not only was it our largest summit, but we also made a record number of registrations!
This year we will learn about a variety of topics ranging from politics, sports, history, technology, and social issues. For example, we will hear from former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, historian Heather Cox Richardson, public intellectual Eddie Glaude Jr., and Lincoln historian, Harold Holzer. They are just some of those who will be in Erie from October 17 through November 15 as part of our 16th Annual Global Summit.
It is because of the generous support of civic-minded citizens like you that we can continue our mission of fostering dialogue for the Erie region on a global level. We hope that you will help us celebrate our 16th year and the ambitious growth of the Global Summit to a truly regional affair as we extend our outreach to the surrounding regions of Buffalo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh by showing your support this year.
All Too Clear – Exploring Invasive Species Beneath the Surface of the Great Lakes
"All Too Clear" uses cutting-edge underwater drones explore how quadrillions of tiny invasive quagga mussels are re-engineering the ecosystem of the Great Lakes at a scale not seen since the glaciers. Part scientific exploration, part natural history adventure, the film shines a spotlight on freshwater wildlife and environments like never before.
Join award-winning filmmakers, Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the co-founders of Inspired Planet Productions, Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick, for a documentary-screening and panel discussion.
Date/Time: Friday, November 7, 2025 7:00-8:30PM
Location: TBD
Admission:
- General Admission (Early Bird Pricing) $25
- Preferred Seating (Early Bird Pricing) $50 (Closest Section Near the Stage)
- Additional Fees: Amusement Tax, Processing Fee
Parking: TBD
Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick are award-winning filmmakers, Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the co-founders of Inspired Planet Productions. This husband-and-wife team have produced more than 40 hours of nationally broadcast documentary content, spotlighting North America's natural wonders and cultural heritage. In their latest project, the hit documentary series All Too Clear—a 2025 Canadian Screen Awards nominee—Drebert and Melnick turned their cameras underwater, using cutting-edge remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to capture never-before-seen footage of life beneath the Great Lakes. Their groundbreaking work has led to the discovery of an historic shipwreck, captured extraordinary wildlife behaviors, and contributed directly to our scientific understanding of freshwater ecosystems. Their footage is being used in active research and has led to peer-reviewed publications on Great Lakes fish. They invite you to join them on their journey to reveal the hidden beauty and urgent stories of the freshwater ecosystems we all depend on—but rarely see.
