People often ask what motivates our busy group of volunteers to put on an all-day TEDxGreenville event every year. The answer is the same for this year’s third annual event as it was for that first time we all met back in August 2009: Because we think TEDx is a unique format for spreading great ideas that motivate positive change. It’s all about strengthening our community by celebrating local ideas and talent, and treating people to that unique TED-like experience that only comes from being there, live, while it’s happening. To paraphrase Phil Yanov, “It’s the best investment in yourself you can make in a day.” With praise like that, we can’t help but be motivated to make each TEDxGreenville an unforgettable experience.
This year our theme is Breakthrough, and whether you read that as one word or two, we hope you will walk away motivated to do it – or to celebrate or encourage breakthrough in others.
What to expect? As you sit in the beautiful new Kroc Center Theatre you’ll be treated to a mind-stretching array of music from bagpipe-electronica, to rap-blog, to folk-punk, to rock-bluegrass. We throw in top shelf blues and jazz, just to balance things out. What about those ‘ideas’ then? In broad strokes, our canvas of presenters will talk about: new technologies developed here in the Upstate; creative ways of opening dialog around sensitive subjects; designing your physical environment; the power of words and storytelling; inspiration for living life to its fullest; and smart ways to secure our most precious natural resource.
Ideas worth spreading? Entertainment? Inspiration? You betcha. This year’s TEDxGreenville is going to knock your socks off!
Marc Bolick
Great blog Marc. You are right…the TEDx events are inspirational, entertaining, and life-changing.
It is a day to meet up with old friends, make new connections and even new friends. I highly recommend this annual event to everyone.