MAY 7, 2025 — OTTAWA, ON
The New York City based The Explorers Club, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, is bringing its annual Global Exploration Summit known as GLEX to North America for the first time. This dynamic international gathering will feature some of the world’s leading voices in exploration, science, and discovery. The summit will take place from September 12-14, 2025 at Canada’s Centre for Geography and Exploration at 50 Sussex Drive in Ottawa.
Confirmed speakers include:
● Professor Brian Cox — Renowned British physicist, BBC broadcaster, and acclaimed science communicator known as the “next David Attenborough” for his ability to bring the wonders of the universe to broad audiences.
● Dr. Roberta Bondar — A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Canada’s first female astronaut and a neurologist, Bondar is also a celebrated conservationist and nature photographer and author.
● Dr. Louise Leakey — Kenyan paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, whose groundbreaking work on early human fossils continues the legacy of the Leakey family in East Africa.
● Dr. Adam Shoalts — Canadian explorer, historian, and bestselling author, known for his solo expeditions across some of Canada’s most remote wilderness regions. Shoalts is the Westaway Explorer-in-Residence at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and a prolific explorer and writer of the Canadian wilderness.
● Dr. Sara Seager – Canadian-American astronomer and planetary scientist, and professor at MIT is known for her work on extrasolar planets and their atmospheres. Gold medallist of the RCGS.
This year’s summit will be hosted in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, and will feature keynote talks, panel discussions, and unique opportunities for the public and press to engage with explorers, scientists, and thought leaders from around the world.
“Exploration doesn’t stop at borders—and it certainly isn’t a uniquely American endeavor,” said Richard Wiese, President of The Explorers Club. “It’s a global calling that spans cultures, continents, and generations. Canada has always been one of our closest allies in this work—and we’re thrilled to host GLEX in Ottawa this fall. John Glenn once told me, ‘When you look down on Earth, you don’t see borders—you see the human race. We look forward to welcoming the world to Ottawa to chart the next frontier of human discovery—together.”
“We are honoured to welcome this prestigious international gathering to Ottawa,” said John Geiger, CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. “At a time when the world faces extraordinary challenges, we believe exploration, scientific discovery, and geographic knowledge are powerful forces for truth, understanding, and unity.”
Media accreditation and full program details and ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.
