The inaugural TEDx event in Grande Prairie sold out in less than 10 minutes, and it’s likely the next will be just as popular. It’s scheduled for November 26th, with a venue change. The event has moved to the Collins Recital Hall at Grande Prairie Regional College, where they have more options for sound and lighting.
TED’s mission is “ideas worth spreading”, and organizer Reed Des Roches says they’ve found another group of innovative locals to present.
“We have people doing cultural initiatives; we have someone who’s essentially an explorer who’s climbed the seven tallest summits in the world; we have someone who’s doing innovative environmental research, so we have a huge range of speakers.”
Others speak more on their personal growth, with a theme of “connection.” That topic was chosen by fans through an online vote. TED started in 1984 as a conference on technology, entertainment and design, but Des Roches says it’s developed into much more.
“The purpose is to highlight people innovating in their field. In the past, the conferences were primarily technology focused, and they’ve branched out quite a bit to different areas, so now there is also the social and self-improvement aspect to it.”
Registration for the November 26th event opens online at noon Monday with room for 100 participants. Full biographies of this year’s speakers are available on the TEDx Grande Prairie website.