On Saturday, September 23, the first TEDxAbbotsford will take place at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The independently organized event, licensed by TED, will feature local voices and TED Talks videos under the theme of trailblazing.
Launched in 2009, TEDx is a program of locally organized events that bring the community together to share a TED-like experience. Some of the best talks from TEDx events have gone on to be featured on TED.com, and garnered millions of views from audiences across the globe.
This event intends to bring the community together with local speakers and talent, who will share their ideas and inspire creativity, awareness, and action. Tiffany Beaton, lead organizer, explained that “We don’t only want to share new ideas from around the world, but we want to provide a platform for our local community, so that the best ideas from Abbotsford and the Valley can reach beyond the borders of our town, province, and country.”
The diverse lineup of 11 confirmed speakers includes Dave Dinesen, Scott Mallory, Travis Klassen, Danielle Arsenault, Megha Tiwari, Vijay Manuel, Darren Spyksma, Carin Bondar, Jory Smallenburg, Paul Henczel, and Nick Dhaliwal. Topics for the night will widely range from how to see like an artist, changing someone’s life for the better, silencing stigma through storytelling, sustaining transit growth, and deriving character from community. Artists also confirmed to attend are Paige Caldwell (painter), Trevor Hoffman (musician/composer), and Stephanie Standerwick (singer).
Registration of $40 for the evening covers a general admission seat, coffee, a snack bar, appetizer-style lunch and drinks, prizes, and networking opportunities. Tickets are available online at tedxabbotsford.com.
