What is TED?
TED is a non-profit organisation which spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives, exploring everything from science and business to education, arts and global issues.
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and their mission is to spread ideas, foster community and create impact – with their slogan being ‘ideas worth spreading’.
TED began in 1984 under Richard Saul Wurman and Harry Marks and took off in 1990 in California where it became an annual event attracting a growing and influential audience. The TED family continued to expand to multiple platforms such as TED talks and TEDx community events. In 2012, TED talks celebrated its one billionth video view and TED conferences and events continue to inspire and motivate.
What is the TEDx platform?
TEDx is a local event where TED-like talks and performances are independently organised and shared with the community. TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events. Aiming to inspire, spark conversation and discover ‘ideas worth spreading’.
What is TEDx St Albans?
St Albans has secured a license from the official TED organisation to host a TEDx event. This allows St Albans to use the TEDx Platform and their global YouTube channel to spread our TEDx talks and ideas which come from our own community.
When is TEDx St Albans?
The event will take place on the 26th of October 2023 from 9:30 am – 5:15 pm.
What does the day entail?
The day starts at 9:30 and will include a line-up of 14 speakers presenting 12 minute TEDx talks on a variety of topics. The speakers will be broken up into 3 speaker sections throughout the day, with breaks for networking, sponsors, lunch and a community workshop. Lunch will be provided as a part of the ticket to give you a chance to connect with the speakers and mingle.
Who are the people behind TEDx St Albans?
All TEDx events are not for profit events, so every person on the TEDx St Albans team is a volunteer and almost all from Hertfordshire.
Our main organisers:
- Patricia Seabright → Curator (Director of Archimedes Consulting)
- Wendy Powell → Operations Director (Operations Directors of Archimedes Consulting)
- Amy Burnett → Videographer (Founder of Visible Impact)
- Cheryl Luzet → Social media Director (CEO of Wagada)
Our volunteers:
- Eleanor Sollis
- Claire Stevenson
- Sarah Pascaru
What's the theme?
The theme for TEDx St Albans is Connection! We want to explore the power of connection, especially its impact in the local community, the business world and our personal lives. All of our speakers’ topics will be unique but centered around connection.
Who are the speakers and what are they speaking about?
Our 14 speakers have been carefully selected from over 190 applications. 80% are from Hertfordshire and range from the age of 17 to 74. Their talks address a large variety of topics from AI to homelessness to mental health. All speakers and their topics can be found on the speaker section on the website.
Where can I get a ticket?
Tickets for this year’s event have now sold out (in less than a week), but we are operating a waiting list (https://tedxstalbans.co.uk/events/).
Who are our sponsors?
Without our sponsors TEDx St Albans could simply not happen. Their support enables us to get the event up and running, while also having input from our business community.
Our sponsors → Debenhams Ottaway, CAE Systems, Redway HR, George Davies Turf, Northwood Estates, Waggle, Willmott Dixon and Vital Wellness Clinic
For more details and information on our sponsors go to the sponsor section of our website (https://tedxstalbans.co.uk/2023-sponsors/)
What do I do if I have missed getting a ticket?
If you can’t secure a ticket, all TEDx St Albans talks will be published after the event on the global TEDx YouTube channel enabling anyone to watch.
Follow our social media channels (@tedxstalbans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for updates on speakers, the event, sponsors and publishing of TEDx St Albans talks videos.
Also, this is TEDx St Albans inaugural event, so watch this space for more TEDx St Albans opportunities next year!
Who are our partners?
- White rooms → Providing our rehearsal and filming venue
- Abbey Theatre → Our venue
- Sustainable X → helping us to create a sustainable event
- Stephanie Bolton → providing event photography and speaker headshots
- Hannah sessions → post event video design