ECAD Week in NYC

The world’s largest gathering of pioneers of exploration in space, in the oceans and on land came together in New York City on April 22, 2023, for the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) at The Glasshouse to celebrate the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation. The Dinner is the highlight of a week that included special events featuring many of the world’s most famous and distinguished explorers. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City. Since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are just 3,827 Explorers Club members worldwide.

The Canadian Chapter

We had a blast in NYC attending ECAD events and the Annual Dinner. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City and since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are 3,827 members worldwide.

Most of our Canadian Chapter members were able to get together for drinks or dinner during ECAD week. All I will say it was gratifying to see that the Canadian Chapter had commandeered three tables this year at ECAD. I was also told by more than one person that the Canadian Chapter is viewed as being the “gold standard” of chapters. It takes a village and accolades such as this are a direct reflection of the combined efforts of our chapter’s Executive Team and volunteers.

Here’s to Never ending Conversations

I was also the beneficiary of some exceedingly kind words from a remarkably talented individual. Jaclyn Whittal has been forecasting and reporting on the most extreme weather across North America for 13 years. She has stood in front of the world’s largest ever recorded tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma, has been in the centre of 9 hurricanes, and reported on countless blizzards, wildfires, and floods across the U.S. and Canada. She’s worked as a meteorologist, journalist, host, and field producer on the hit storm chasing series STORM HUNTERS for The Weather Network… and is also a Fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and a newly elected Fellow in The Explorers Club. With all affection I call her the “storm-chasing babe.” And she has become a trusted friend to both Kathryn and me.