TEDxSanAntonio Speaker Experience eBook

SanAntonio

x = independently organized TED event

10.13.12

The Speaker Experience :: TEDx is a local, self-organized event that brings people together to share world-changing ideas.

San Antonio’s

Goals :: •

Spread awareness of the TED organization, its mission and the TED Talks in San Antonio and South Texas.

•

Foster and serve as a hub for a community of thinkers, idealists, performers, creators and action agents.

•

Create an event that shares the voices, ideas and actions of San Antonio and South Texas with the worldwide TED community.

:: About TED and TEDx TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com.

TED speakers have included: Bill Gates Jane Goodall • Sir Richard Branson • Philippe Starck • Isabel Allende

The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK, and the TEDIndia Conference will be held in Mysore, India. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily.

TED’s initiatives include: •

TED.com, where TEDTalks are posted daily.

•

TEDx, offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world.

•

TED Prize, three exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their dreams into action.

•

TED Fellows, 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.

“TED” stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design — three broad subject areas that are collectively shaping our future. However, the subjects covered at these events have become broader still, showcasing ideas that matter in any discipline.

Al Gore Elizabeth Gilbert • Nandan Nilekani • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala • UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown

•

•

•

•

:: 1 This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.

:: Who Speaks at

::

TEDxSanAntonio presenters have come from a variety of professional and educational backgrounds. There’s only one requirement to present a talk at the event: You have to be passionate about an idea worth spreading.

Many speakers have taken their ideas and turned them into action.

Some of these actionable ideas challenge established ways of thinking while others put in motion the concepts that many people believe but don’t know how to implement. Still, other talks are based on an idea that doesn’t include action in itself but, inspires others to passionately pursue their own ideas.

Why Do I Have to Apply?

TED has a long tradition of curating ideas, speakers and attendees in order to craft an event that is as thought provoking and action-inspiring as possible. TEDxSanAntonio is continuing this practice by curating speakers and attendees.

While curation creates a bit of friendly competition, it helps everyone bring the most inventive, creative and engaging talks to the TEDxSanAntonio event.

:: Why Should I Consider Speaking at If you have an idea, we want you to have a voice. All TEDxSanAntonio speakers will be able to leverage the event as a platform to spread the ideas they are passionate about. Tedx talks are shared before a live audience on the day of the event as well as professionally filmed for live streaming and posting on TED’s popular YouTube channel. Talks may also be featured on TED.com. Last year, TEDxSanAntonio YouTube videos attracted thousands of views from people who probably didn’t attend the event and the video archives will continue to be viewed for years to come.

?

If you are chosen to speak at TEDxSanAntonio, you’ll talk to hundreds of people who you’ll find are just as passionate as you are. And others just might become passionate about the idea you are sharing, if they aren’t already!

That’s why TEDxSanAntonio can be so powerful: it can connect you with others with whom you can collaborate to grow the influence of your idea. It’s hard to measure the impact one idea can have— but no one can calculate the negative effect of an innovative idea that is never shared.

:: 2 This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.

:: What if I Haven’t Attended a Event Before?

Past Speakers ::

You don’t have to have attended TEDxSanAntonio in the past to be eligible to speak at this year’s event.

Past speakers for TEDxSanAntonio have come from San Antonio and beyond, providing an incredible cross-section of inspiring ideas.

When considering which speakers to invite, we looked for diversity and inspiration from the applicants, often exploring their interests and unique life experiences. We focused on ideas which would stimulate lasting conversations, both during the event and after.

We welcome all applications from any speakers.

If you aren’t familiar with TED Talks, we can coach you on how to package your talk according to TED’s standards and best practices. We’re here to help you make your talk as successful as possible and not stifle your creativity.

Most TEDxSanAntonio speakers live and breathe their idea every day. In some cases, it has been a vocation that was ahead of its time and is just now becoming real for others. In other cases, it was a result of life changing experiences that inspired them to share their idea with others. In every case, it was something they all felt very passionate about; so passionate that they wanted to share it with the world.

Past TEDxSanAntonio speakers have included: • • • • •

Mayor Julian Castro Graham Weston, Chairman Rackspace Hosting Sicha Siv, Former Ambassador to the United Nations Lawrence Lessig, Director, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, and Professor of Law, Harvard Law School Eythor Bendor, CEO Berkley Bionics

EXAMPLES OF SPEAKER SUBMISSIONS ::

“

As a managing editor turned freelance writer turned blogger, I’ve dedicated the last two years to documenting the victory garden revival— a grassrootsdriven renaissance via social media. My efforts…have been documented in the national and regional media, and one project with which I was involved—Eat The View—helped persuade Michelle Obama to re-establish the White House garden, generating tremendous press for home gardens. Within the last year, the idea of creating a more sustainable food system has gained traction here in San Antonio.

I think/hope my speech and work might foster that blossoming further. Make no mistake—what must be done will require collaboration; it’s not the work of any single person or organization. Yet writers/storytellers/bloggers, by holding up their unique lens to the issue, can help pull together the many pieces in fresh, eye-opening ways.

“

The reason I want to present is to raise awareness for these unheard voices.

If I am selected to speak, I will share a bit about my personal journey through having one brother with severe Autism and another brother born with a terminal illness. I will share how parents can avoid unintentionally embedding and reinforcing destructive beliefs in their “normal” children. I will encourage Glass Children and give them ways to overcome their challenges. Finally, I have a message for the greater community about their responsibility to families with special needs kids and how they can make a positive impact.

:: 3

This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.

:: How Do I Apply to Speak at Go to http://www.tedxsanantonio.com/speakers/speakerapplication-form/ and thoughtfully answer every question.

We take our talks seriously and will only consider those who are excited enough about their ideas to take the time to clearly describe them.

:: Let your passion shine through!

Things to Consider When Applying ::

:: What Will Happen Once I Apply?

When you apply for TEDxSanAntonio, we want you to tell us very specifically and clearly the idea you would like to share with others. It may be something you have been working on that could help change the social fabric of the city and beyond. It could be an idea you wish to share that created a life changing experience.

We need you to explain that idea to us and why you feel it might inspire others.

If your application gets us excited about your idea too, we’ll follow up with a phone call to find out more. The speaker application closes July 1, 2012 and we plan to have all of our speakers chosen by August 20, 2012. Feel free to email us at program@tedxsanantonio.com with any questions and we’ll be sure to get back with you promptly.

We are not looking for a traditional motivational speech or talk. Spend some time watching the videos on TED.com to better understand the tone and structure of a great Ted Talk.

Useful Links Attendees Speakers Speakers Nomination Speakers Application

We can’t wait to see you at

:: 4 This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.