As CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, John Geiger leads Canada's foremost geography and exploration organization. He is the internationally bestselling author of seven books — translated into fourteen languages — including Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition, and a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Polar Medal.

John will share one of the most extraordinary exploration stories in recent memory: in 2024, the RCGS located the wreck of SS Quest — the ship Sir Ernest Shackleton was aboard when he died in 1922, marking the close of the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration. His forthcoming book tells the story of the ship, of Shackleton and his Canadian connections, and of the mission that finally brought Quest to light after a century beneath the waves.

Better known across the country as The Happy Camper, Kevin Callan is bringing a brand-new presentation to EAFF. Part campfire storytelling, part practical masterclass, "Life of a Canadian Canoeist, Eh!" gathers the tips, tricks and hard-won tales from a lifetime of paddling Canada's rivers, and makes the case that thriving in the outdoors beats simply surviving them.

Kevin is the author of 20 books, including Another Bend in the River: The Happy Camper's Memoir. An award-winning writer and filmmaker, he is a keynote speaker at outdoor events across North America and a regular guest on CBC Radio, television morning shows and podcasts. He writes regularly for Explore and Paddling Magazine, and has been named one of Canada's top 100 modern-day explorers by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.