Earlier in 2015, a large group of people expressed interest in helping to organize Erie's first-ever TEDx Talks. Thanks to the hard work of Erie Patent Attorney, Jonathan D'Silva, Erie's application was accepted by TEDx and the date of November 16, 2015 was set. The theme, chosen by D'Silva, was "The Rising Tide" and the question was posed to potential speakers: "In our rapidly modernizing world, in so many ways the tide is rising… How is the tide rising in your world?". A call for presenters went out for 12 speaking slots. The selection committee was overwhelmed with the response, having received over 90 speaker submissions!
Months of preparation ensued, and TEDxErie needed help in just about every area imaginable to create an event that lives up to the standard of a TED Talk. That's when Epic Web Studios stepped in to offer support. When asked where we could like to help, Epic's Managing Partner David Hunter answered without hesitation: "We want to have a party, of course!"
Epic's team began planning an event befitting of a TED Talk, and decided to host the party right here in our offices. Our plan was to host all of the speakers, volunteers, sponsors and partners of TEDxErie just after the final dress rehearsal on Friday, November 15. Our team of Becky Goldsmith and Keefer Kopco pulled out all of the stops and created one heck of a plan! The party will be a lot of fun, and we will be sure to update this post with photos of the event.
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxErie, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxErie event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
