Dear Speaker,
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is hosting a school wide event inviting
numerous speakers that will present on a variety of subjects on March 14th,
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?
About 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: http://www.ted.com
Follow TED on: Twitter at twitter.com/TEDTalks or Facebook at 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 March 14th, 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 "Ditching Dogma." Dogma is embedded into the human condition.
We are taught what processes worked for those before us and observe those
same processes being utilized by others around us. More often than not, we
follow suit. Ditching dogma is about creativity, innovation, and thinking
differently: not accepting the notion that we should do things simply because
"that's how they've always been done.” The mission of this event is to invite
passionate, eloquent and inspiring speakers and performers to impart a body of
knowledge and a growing sense of curiosity amongst the audience.
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?
1.
A venue which enables perspective speakers to convey their
message and demonstrate their ideas for an audience
2.
An opportunity for growing public exposure, first through the
local Kansas City event, and then through the broader TED community
3.
The ability to learn from other bright and talented speakers in
various fields
4.
A chance that your presentation could be posted on the TED
website and be available to millions of viewers worldwide
5.
Rather than a virtual event or a webinar, this event enables
speakers to foster direct communication and spark new ideas
amongst a live audience
6.
TEDxUMKC will be a place where you will be able to enjoy
yourself and appreciate the company of others at 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
Speaker:
Address:
Home Telephone:
Cell Phone:
Affiliated Websites:
Public Speaking Experiences:
Potential Speech Topics:
Video Presentation of Previous Talks
Prospective speakers are strongly encouraged to send any
recorded videos or audio presentations of past speeches from other
events. 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.
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.
Outline of Potential Speech/ Presentation
After the prospective speaker and TEDxUMKC committee have
narrowed on a specific topic to be presented, the committee asks
the speakers to create a brief outline of the speech they plan on
giving at the event. This outline should include a title and a cohesive
list of all the subjects or major topics that will be covered during the
presentation.
Committee Contact Information
Brooks Kimmis
Speaker Coordinator
(816) 589-3808
bdkfzf@mail.umkc.edu
Rahul Maheshwari
Event Co-Curator
(830) 532-0310
rm87f@mail.umkc.edu
Harika Nalluri
Event Co-Curator
(630) 779-8580
hnd32@mail.umkc.edu