Global Summit XVII sponsorship
Support the JES's mission of fostering dialogue for the Erie region on a global level.
Our audiences continue to show up to explore critical topics—from politics and global affairs to cutting-edge science, technology, sports, and more. And thanks to our sponsors, we’ve kept ticket prices unchanged since day one, ensuring that access to these powerful learning experiences remains open to all.
Last year, the 2024 Global Summit featured bold conversations on politics, sports, history, artificial intelligence, and social issues. It culminated in a landmark event: former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney in conversation with Erie’s own Sr. Joan Chittister—the largest event in JES history and the largest educational event ever held at the Bayfront Convention Center.
This year, we look forward to kicking off this year’s Global Summit with President Barack Obama. We will also host and welcome renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and community leader Jim Kelly, Vice President Mike Pence, and acclaimed historian Lindsay Chervinsky, plus many additional distinguished speakers who will engage and inspire audiences of all ages.
Whether you’ve sponsored the Global Summit before, supported other JES initiatives, or are considering a sponsorship for the first time, thank you for helping our community grow and thrive. Your support makes it possible for us to offer inclusive, high-quality programming that fosters civic engagement and civil dialogue—providing residents across Erie County with access to the ideas, conversations, and learning opportunities that matter most, especially in times when thoughtful public discourse is so urgently necessary.
If your organization is interested in becoming a Global Summit XVII sponsor, please contact Christine Gerlock by phone at 814-459-8000 or by email at gerlock@jeserie.org.
Carson the Magnificent - A Look at the Iconic TV Host and His Impact on Comedy Today
A Chicago-based author and journalist whose work blends deep reporting with a passion for comedy and culture, Mike Thomas has interviewed some of the most iconic figures in comedy from Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Wiliams to Phyllis Diller and Jon Stewart. He has also co-authored the New York Times bestseller Carson the Magnificent, a biography of Johnny Carson.
Date/Time: Monday, November 10, 2025 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
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
Mike Thomas is going on three decades as a Chicago-based journalist and author. After spending more than 14 years as a staff reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times, he began writing for Chicago magazine, where he is a regular contributor of long-form stories as well as a monthly feature called BackRoom that showcases famous Chicagoans. In addition to completing his late mentor Bill Zehme's New York Times bestselling biography “Carson the Magnificent,” Mike authored two other critically acclaimed books: "The Second City Unscripted: Revolution and Revelation at the World-Famous Comedy Theater" (2009); and "You Might Remember Me: The Life and Times of Phil Hartman" (2014). He lives in Chicago with his wife and their two daughters.
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Journey Gunderson is the Executive Director of the National Comedy Center – the United States’ official cultural institution and national archive dedicated to comedy – Journey Gunderson has demonstrated the entrepreneurial passion, creative energy, and innovative spirit reminiscent of the pioneering woman whose vision she was hired to bring to life: Jamestown, New York’s own Lucille Ball.
Named one of the Top 50 Museum Influencers worldwide by international museum and attractions resource Blooloop, second on its list of “Innovators Who Changed Comedy” by comedy authority The Interrobang, and the 2024 “Outstanding Tourism Executive of the Year” by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, Gunderson has guided the National Comedy Center’s next-generation museum experience – integrating state-of-the-art technology, interactivity, and personalization customized to each visitor’s unique comedic tastes. She led the planning, strategy, fundraising, and creative development for this ambitious project, forging relationships with supporters that span from grassroots organizers to state and federal leaders, and from cultural philanthropists to legendary comedy innovators.
Called “the Smithsonian of Comedy” by NBC’s TODAY Show, the National Comedy Center is an unprecedentedly comprehensive and engaging visitor experience, based on Lucille Ball’s vision for Jamestown to become a destination that honors comedy’s great minds and unique voices in ways that educate, engage, and inspire future generations.
Since its opening in Jamestown, NY, the Center has been voted “Best New Museum” in the country by USA Today, named one of the “World’s Greatest Places” by Time magazine, and selected as one of “100 Reasons to Love America” by People magazine. U.S. News & World Report named it among the “25 Top Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S.,” alongside destinations like Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Gunderson also serves as Executive Director of Jamestown’s Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, preserving and celebrating the lives, careers, and legacies of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
