Do you have something to say? Maybe have a good idea you’d like to share with others? Possibly you’ve invented a better mousetrap?
If so, the inaugural TEDx Canmore event could provide a platform for you.
TEDx Canmore will take place, Oct. 25 at Silvertip in Canmore, but the deadline for speaker applications is May 10.
Non-profit TED events (The Sapling Foundation) are independently organized, the Canmore one by Wade Graham and Marty Avery, with an eye toward generating “ideas worth spreading.” At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
Originally, TED talks began in 1984 and were related to technology, entertainment and design, “but it’s a much broader scope than that now,” said Lisa Power, chairperson of the speaker selection committee.
“We’ve received a lot of applications, but we’re looking to expand the slate of applicants. You don’t have to be a celebrity or an expert, you just need to have an ‘idea worth spreading.’”
Speakers for the Canmore event would need to fill spaces of 18, 12 or six minutes on their topic. Speeches don’t need to be prepared at this point, said Power, the group is simply looking for10 to 15 interested parties.
“The beauty of TED is you don’t have to be an expert, you could be somebody who’s worked at a garage and has a new idea,” said Power. “You might have an idea on how to improve the world, have a technology idea, know how to treat kids better, how to stop hunger, it’s wide open.”
A past TED speaker, said Power, was a child in Africa who found that LED lights could be used to keep lions out of a village. According to the TED website, other recent topics (videos) have included How to read Chinese with ease, The economic case for preschool and Txting is killing language, JK.
“We’re also looking for sponsors,” said Power, “people who want to foster innovation in the community.”
TEDx Canmore is planned to be a full-day event and tickets, available online, are $145 for adults and $25 for those under 18.
For more information, or to apply as a speaker or sponsor, visit tedxcanmore.ca
