TEDxBozeman showcases some of Montana’s most impressive creative minds. Past speakers have included a diverse group of individuals ranging from musicians, business people, teachers, researchers and humanitarians.
Now in its third year, this independently organized event licensed by TED was the inaugural TEDx event in Montana. After being featured in WIRED magazine’s December 2012 issue, TEDxBozeman’s sold-out, March 2013 event had more than 500 attendees.
Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED is a nonprofit organization that has hosted some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers, asking them to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes.
In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video as well as live speakers combine to spark discussion and connections in a small group.
TEDxBozeman 2014 will be the third week in March, and the organizing committee is currently accepting applications from those interested in performing or giving talks. Sixty-five prospective speakers and performers applied last year.
“The talent pool that Montana has to offer seems virtually boundless,” said co-founder Ken Fichtler.
Past Bozeman presentations have included National Geographic’s Casey Anderson talking about a grizzly bear he rescued and raised; Robert Keith, of Beartooth Capital, describing how he and his business partner combined investment and conservation; and University of Montana professor Jakki Mohr discussing the use of biomimicry to develop technological innovations and transform business practices.
The application period for those interested in performing or giving talks at TEDxBozeman is open Sept. 20 through Oct. 20. For more information or to apply, visit tedxbozeman.com. Find sample talks from previous years at youtube.com/tedxbozeman.
