Global summit

Every year the Global Summit brings internationally renowned speakers who share their expertise on a variety of timely subjects. In 2024, we welcomed 23 speakers, three moderators, and over 8,397 attendees across 14 events. Our largest Global Summit so far!

Global Summit XVI kicked off with the single largest ticketed event in the history of the Bayfront Convention Center with a powerful conversation between Former U.S. Rep. (2017 – 2023) Liz Cheney and theologian and author Sister Joan Chittister. Legendary sportscaster Stephen A. Smith discussed much more than the “Future of Sports” with Jon Wertheim, while Historian Heather Cox Richardson, known for her “Letters from an American” newsletter, joined Tom Nichols, a staff writer at The Atlantic for a poignant conversation about the state of our democracy. The series featured a diverse lineup of distinguished speakers and concluded with a soberly optimistic look at America’s future with Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr.

Planning for Global Summit XVII is already well underway. Thanks to the experience of the Jefferson that speakers have, they become strong allies in helping secure future Global Summit speakers. The JES team is building on relationships built during Global Summit’s past to bring more world-class programming to Erie. 2025 promises to be another incredible year to think global, learn local!