One Hundred Miles Choosing to Lead Conference

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Choosing to lead

One Hundred Miles (OHM), the nonprofit organization that protects and preserves Georgia’s 100-mile coast through advocacy, education and citizen engagement, is excited to announce the return of its annual conference, Choosing to Lead, on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. This year's theme, Leading from the Inside-Out, underscores the importance of community and environmental action (out) while emphasizing the need for individual self-reflection and motivation (in). Scholarship opportunities are available to ensure access for all who wish to attend. Early bird registration is open through September 30 at $75 for members and $100 for non-members; high school, college, and graduate students are $35. Beginning October 1, regular registration rates are $100 for members, $125 for non-members, and $40 for students. It is recommended to reserve a spot before October 13, to guarantee a spot for lunch. Registration is available at onehundredmiles.org/conference.

The keynote speaker of the conference is Dr. Edith "Edie" Widder, an internationally-renowned scientist, deep-sea explorer, and founder of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), a scientific-based conservation nonprofit. Dr. Widder's contributions to marine biology are unparalleled. She has completed more than 250 submersible dives and her work has been featured across the globe with BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel and in National Geographic productions.

Dr. Widder's groundbreaking work includes the invention of devices to detect deep-sea light and bioluminescence. Her invention, ORCA’s Eye-in-the-Sea camera system, led to the discovery of a new species of giant squid, capturing its first-ever footage of this creature’s incredible natural habitat in 2012. A recipient of the prestigious Explorers Club Citation of Merit in 2018, Dr. Widder released her memoir, Below the Edge of Darkness, in 2021.