TEDxOStateU planned for November 1 on OSU Campus

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Locally-produced TED-like event will focus on challenges facing society today

Some of the most well-known individuals on the planet have given TEDTalks, including Bill Gates, Boone Pickens, Al Gore and Jane Goodall. Now, an independently organized TEDx event, licensed by TED and featuring Oklahoma State University students, faculty, alumni and others is coming to the Stillwater campus on November 1, 2012. TEDxOStateU will take place in the Seretean Center Concert Hall from 1-5:30 p.m. centered on the theme "IGNITE."

"Everyone familiar with the acclaimed TEDTalks series is excited that we'll soon host our own TEDx event," said OSU President Burns Hargis. "I enjoy watching TEDTalks regularly, and look forward to hearing from a variety of speakers on meaningful work being done by members of the OSU family and others."

Hargis said the goal is to discuss important topics we face today as a society on the state, national and global level, and what's being done to address the issues.

Speakers will present information in varying lengths ranging from just a few minutes up to 15 minutes. Most TEDxOStateU speakers will utilize visual elements in their presentation, and there will be no podiums. The afternoon is designed to engage the audience using a more fast-paced format. In addition to adding national TEDTalks videos, there will be at least two musical performances, and the entire program will be streamed live to the OSU community and the world. There will be a 30-minute break about halfway through the event.

Tickets will be distributed in the fall, but anyone wishing to attend must apply through the TEDxOStateU website. The application process will open in early September.

Go to www.tedxostateu.com for more information.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

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, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. 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.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world's leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Two major TED events are held each year: The TED Conference takes place every spring in Long Beach, California (along with a parallel conference, TEDActive, in Palm Springs), and TEDGlobal is held each summer in Edinburgh, Scotland.

TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily; the new TED Conversations, enabling broad conversations among TED fans; and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide.

TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

For information about TED's upcoming conferences, visit http://www.ted.com/registration

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED