Reporting From the National Geographic Explorers Symposium

It sounds impossible: Gathering the world's greatest (living) explorers in one room to discuss the latest innovations, ideas, and issues in exploration. But that's exactly what's happening today and tomorrow at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. Most of National Geographic's explorers are here, from Fellows and Explorers-in-Residence to Emerging Explorers and Young Explorer Gantees. So far we've spotted Bob Ballard, Sylvia Earle, Enric Sala, Mike Fay, Derek and Beverly Joubert, Wade Davis, and Albert Lin—and that was just outside the NG cafeteria. It's kind of like being at National Geographic's version of a Hollywood premiere, but here the A-listers have devoted their lives to helping understand, preserve, and protect our world.

The morning sessions hit on topics of "An Interconnected Planet" and "Innovative Applications of Technology" (stay tuned for the recap). There will also be an announcement tomorrow afternoon that we think you will find very exciting, but that's all we can say for now. So stay tuned for more coverage.—Mary Anne Potts