Ottawa’s first ever TEDx event took place in the new ACCE
building with volunteer support from 43 of the college’s students and
alumni.
The not-for-profit event took place on Saturday, Oct. 22,
thanks to a team composed of social media volunteers, public relations
representatives, photographers, marketing agents, sponsors, etc. Sarah Ormon,
who was the lead organizer, graduated in business-marketing at Algonquin.
“We thought we could really leverage what the programs have
to offer,” said Ormon. She is well aware of Algonquin’s broad range of media-
and business-related programs, and she jumped at the opportunity to take
advantage of this.
TEDxOttawa was themed “creative actions”. It hosted close to
a dozen speakers who took the stage for up to 18 minutes each. The lineup
included popular figures such as Nigel Beale, Nicholas Charney and Stephen
“Buddha” Leafloor—who all gave riveting speeches.
Although TED (technology, entertainment, design) events
generally suggest an “ideas worth spreading” platform, independent events—where
x=independent—can incorporate a theme that will ensure a more narrow focus from
the speakers.
“The rule of TED is that you can’t promote yourself or your
company. You have to promote your idea,” explained Amy Chamberlain, marketing
manager of TEDxOttawa. Chamberlain is also a business-marketing alumnus from
Algonquin.
TED is based in the U.S. but holds events across the globe.
They also provide the opportunity for entrepreneurs to apply for a TEDx
license, where as long as the applicant follows the rules and guidelines of
TED, they can organize their own independent event once a year in any city.
The events always include a wide diversity of speakers and
topics, as long as they can get the message across in less than 18 minutes and
it’s of an innovative or inspiring nature.
The process for attending a TED(x) event starts with an
allotment of number of seats, which is set by TED and dictated by the organizers’
abilities and experience. TEDxOttawa seated 100 guests and has the potential to
double at next year’s event.
Once the number is set, organizers provide an application
form. They then sort through the pile—which was well over 300 applicants for
Ormon and Chamberlain—and choose the best-suited personalities for the occasion
in question. “It’s nice because you could be seated between a CEO and a
farmer,” said Ormon.
The TEDxOttawa team was proud to say that all their speakers
are local. They hope to capitalize on the once-a-year appropriation set by TED
for our city.
“Ottawa’s cool but just doesn’t know it yet,” says Ormon.
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