TedXDurango is headed to town, and it’s looking for speakers, an emcee, entertainers and other volunteers.
According to its website, TEDx events are different than TED Talks: “In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)”
Heading up the Durango team is Kristi Dean, who came across the TEDx idea while she was doing research for her business “Living the Rainbow.” She saw a link on tedx.com for organizing a TED event in communities. She submitted an application for a license, and the rest is history.
The November TEDx will be held 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Roshong Recital Hall at Fort Lewis College. Speakers will explore the theme: “Find the Humor.”
“I did pick the theme. In every event, we get to pick our own themes,” Dean said. “I picked ‘Find the Humor’ because we’re going to have 12 to 15 speakers and they’re all going to be on different topics. It doesn’t matter what your topic is: Even if you’re talking about how to prevent suicide, you can make the audience laugh. And when you make the audience laugh, you create that personal, deep connection with them and they’re not going to forget.”
Per TEDx rules, the show will be limited to 100 tickets, which are set to go on sale today (July 12) at TEDxDurango.com.
The TEDxDurango executive team seeks 12 to 15 speakers for the daylong event.
“We are looking for speaker-presenters who are not telling their own personal story – they can have a personal story that meets the theme – but it has to be provocative and idea-oriented,” Dean said. “With a TED Talk, you take one idea about how to change the world and you turn that into this poignant presentation on the stage to get other people on board with your idea. It’s people who have ideas worth spreading. Ideas that can be shared in 15 minutes or less, bold action-takers with a deep knowledge of their topic.”
And the cool part of being a participant is that the event will be taped, and speakers will be on the TEDx YouTube channel.
Potential participants must send in a one- to three-minute video to show they know how to present. Applications are not restricted to only Durango residents – anyone may apply. There’s also an application to be filled out at TEDxDurango.com. All applications are due by July 29. Each application will be reviewed by a selection committee, and applicants will receive a response by email by Aug. 19.
According to the online application, TEDxDurango is seeking:
Passionate never-before-seen presentations.People who have “Ideas Worth Spreading.”Ideas that can be shared in 15 minutes or less.Bold action-takers with a deep knowledge on their topic.You must be able to answer the question: What is the idea that you have that is fresh and unique to you?“I want the world to know how amazing the people in Durango are – the ideas and the things we bring forth, the companies we create,” Dean said. “But I also want – Durango, we tend to get a little self-centered and not world-focused. So I want Durango to see how amazing people are out in the world and the things that are happening and the change that is out there that can help us in Durango be even better than we already are.”
katie@durangoherald.com
On the Net
TEDxDurango is accepting applications for volunteer speakers, entertainers, an emcee and other volunteers. All applications are due by July 29 and will be reviewed by a selection committee. Apply at
www.TEDxDurango.com
.
Tickets will also be available for purchase at
https://tedxdurango.com/tickets
. The event is limited to 100 tickets.
