Annual Explorers Club Dinner

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, The International SeaKeepers Society was represented at the annual Explorers Club Dinner at The Glasshouse in New York City. SeaKeepers Founders Patty and Rick Elkus hosted Ivonne Gamboa, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, at their table. Patty serves as Vice Chair Emeritus of SeaKeepers Board of Directors, and Rick serves on the Explorers Board of Directors. Other distinguished guests included Dr. David Gruber, Founder and President of Project CETI.

The annual event honored renowned conservationist Kris Tompkins with the Explorers Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the Club. Past Explorers Medal recipients have included SeaKeepers Scientific Advisor Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, founder of MISSION BLUE, and 2022 SeaKeeper of the Year, Commander Victor Vescovo, USN (Ret.).

Each year, the event brings together Explorers from around the globe to converge in New York City to celebrate and support exploration. The International SeaKeepers Society is proud to participate, with several members collaborating on projects such as the Pink Flamingo Society, an international private global ocean research consortium founded by Wendy and Eric Schmidt.

Events such as the annual Explorers Club Dinner highlight the importance of collaboration in advancing ocean exploration, scientific discovery, and marine conservation worldwide.