Dear Applicant,
TEDxUMKC is hosting a school wide event inviting numerous potential speakers that
will present on a variety of subjects on November 7, 2015. We are searching for
passionate, articulate, and inspiring individuals who will impart a base of knowledge and
a sense of motivation upon our student body. We are extremely interested in having you
speak at our event.
The purpose of this packet is to provide the speakers and performers of TEDxUMKC
with a preliminary guideline regarding the event. With this packet, speakers should be
able to familiarize themselves with the mission of TED, and the requirements that will be
demanded from them as speakers. By using the information enclosed, speakers should
be able to begin crafting their speeches, and start creating a performance that will be
both an enjoyable and valuable experience for their audience.
Thank you,
TEDxUMKC Committee
WHAT IS TED?
TED is an annual event where some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers
are invited to share what they are most passionate about. “TED” stands for
Technology, Entertainment, Design: three broad subject areas that are
collectively shaping our future. And in fact, the event is broader still, showcasing
ideas that matter in any discipline.
Attendees have called it “the ultimate brain spa” and “a four-day journey into the
future.” The diverse audience – CEOs, scientists, creatives, philanthropists – is
almost as extraordinary as the speakers, who have included Bill Clinton, Bill
Gates, Jane Goodall, Frank Gehry, Paul Simon, Sir Richard Branson, Phillippe
Starck and Bono.
Visit TED at: www.ted.com
Follow TED on: Twitter at www.twitter.com/TEDTalks or Facebook at
www.facebook.com/TED
WHAT IS TEDx?
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx
where x=independently organized TED event. TEDx is a program of local, selforganized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At
TEDx events, 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 are selforganized.
WHAT IS TEDxUMKC?
The event we are hosting is TEDxUMKC, scheduled for November 7th, 2015. It is
being carefully planned, organized and delivered by a dedicated committee of
students at the University of Missouri—Kansas City, for the benefit of their fellow
students, faculty, staff, and the Kansas City community. The theme of this event
will be "Big Challenges, Small Solutions." Although our society has made much
progress, there are still major challenges facing us today. Some of these
challenges are well known, while many are not. However, there are those among
us that recognize, react, and resolve those problems. These pioneers, acting in
the spirit of ingenuity and altruism, have paved a path to help make the world a
better place. They bring awareness to unseen obstacles, and offer creative
solutions to tackle them. Innovational in nature and quick in thinking, these
individuals strive to expand our horizons by breaking the facade for others to
follow and demonstrating that one individual can make a difference.
TED COMMANDMENTS:
These 10 tips are given to all TED Conference speakers as they prepare their
TEDTalks. They will help you craft talks that will have a profound impact on your
audience.
1. Dream big. Strive to create the best talk you have ever given. Reveal something
never seen before. Do something the audience will remember forever. Share an
idea that could change the world.
2. Show us the real you. Share your passions, your dreams ... and also your fears.
Be vulnerable. Speak of failure as well as success.
3. Make the complex plain. Don't try to dazzle intellectually. Don't speak in
abstractions. Explain! Give examples. Tell stories. Be specific.
4. Connect with people's emotions. Make us laugh! Make us cry!
5. Don't flaunt your ego. Don't boast. It's the surest way to switch everyone off.
6. No selling from the stage! Unless we have specifically asked you to, do not talk
about your company or organization. And don't even think about pitching your
products or services or asking for funding from stage.
7. Feel free to comment on other speakers' talks, to praise or to criticize.
Controversy energizes! Enthusiastic endorsement is powerful!
8. Don't read your talk. Notes are fine. But if the choice is between reading or
rambling, then read!
9. End your talk on time. Doing otherwise is to steal time from the people that follow
you. We won't allow it.
10. Rehearse your talk in front of a trusted friend ... for timing, for clarity, for impact.
Benefits of Speaking at Our Event
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A venue which enables perspective speakers to convey their message and
demonstrate their ideas for an audience
An opportunity for growing public exposure, first through the local Kansas City
event, and then through the broader TED community
The ability to learn from other bright and talented speakers in various fields
A chance that your presentation could be posted on the TED website and be
available to millions of viewers worldwide
Rather than a virtual event or a webinar, this event enables speakers to foster
direct communication and spark new ideas amongst a live audience
TEDxUMKC will be a place where you will be able to enjoy yourself and
appreciate the company of others at the event.
TEDXUMKC will also have the opportunity to distribute promotional materials to
event attendees.
Format of the event
-
-
At the event: Speakers will sit in the audience and enter the stage from the
audience. Speakers are encouraged to stay for the whole event, and to mingle
during breaks.
During the talk: The talk must not go over the allotted time (never longer than 18
minutes). We will cue you when their time has run out.
After the talk: Speakers are expected to remain at the event throughout the day;
at minimum, you are expected to stay through the conversation break following
your talk, so attendees can approach you and ask questions.
Interested in Speaking at Our Event?
We certainly hope so! Here are a few materials we need from you to start:
●
Complete the Information Section
●
Video Presentation of Previous Talks
●
Outline of Potential Speech/ Presentation
INFORMATION
Name:
Address:
Cell Phone:
Email:
Affiliated Websites:
Public Speaking Experiences:
Potential Speech Topic and Detailed Descriptions:
Video Presentation of Previous Talks
Prospective speakers are required to send one to two minute portions of recorded
videos or audio as if they were beginning their talk. This will enable both the
TEDxUMKC committee and the speakers to more effectively communicate on any
changes that need to be made, or ideas that must be brought forth to craft a strong
presentation for the TEDXUMKC event.
Alternatively, if you already have video presentations posted on a website/ blog, please
refer us the link in the “affiliated websites” section in the information page.
Expectations for Potential Speakers
The TEDxUMKC committee kindly requests the speakers meet certain deadlines
months before the event and be available for direct communication. These include
creating an outline, speech transcripts, and participating in video and skype calls.
How to Submit This Application
Once you have completed your application, please send it to tedxumkc@gmail.com.
Keep in mind that the application is due by the end of June as you work through this.
Committee Contact Information
Rmaah Memon
Co-Director of Speaker Relations
(703) 554-3166
rmrtb@mail.umkc.edu
Vishnu Harikumar
Co-Director of Speaker Relations
(913) 461-4608
vbhtk5@mail.umkc.edu
Rahul Maheshwari
Event Co-Curator
(830) 532-0310
rm87f@mail.umkc.edu
Ryan Sieli
Event Co-Curator
(816) 589-3808
bdkfzf@mail.umkc.edu