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.
This year, we kicked off this year’s Global Summit with President Barack Obama. We also welcomed 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.
The Author of Autocracy Inc. on How Dictators Are Working Together to Run the World
November 19th,2026 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Speaker: Anne Applebaum
Location: Gannon University Waldron Campus Center - 628 Peach St, Erie, PA 16501
Date/Time: Thursday, November 19th 7:00-8:30pm
Admission: Early Bird Pricing - General Admission $25.75 / Preferred Seating $51.50
*If you do NOT receive an email from info@jeserie.org within 24-48 hours regarding your registration, please check your spam or junk folder. Thank you!
Anne Applebaum
Anne Applebaum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, journalist, and bestselling author whose work explores authoritarianism, democracy, and global politics. A staff writer for The Atlantic and Senior Fellow at the Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, she is internationally recognized for her expertise on Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and the evolving geopolitical landscape. Applebaum is the author of several acclaimed books, including Gulag: A History, Red Famine, Twilight of Democracy, and the New York Times bestseller Autocracy, Inc., which was named one of the best books of 2024 by multiple publications. Her reporting and scholarship have earned numerous international honors, making her one of today's leading voices on democracy, disinformation, and global affairs.
