'Inspiring Our Future' Unveiled as Theme for TEDxGreenville 2011

GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine being part of an enlightening 1-day conference in the heart of downtown Greenville where a diverse group of movers and shakers gather to discuss "ideas worth spreading." That's the excitement planned for TEDxGreenville's 2nd annual event, to be held at the Peace Center's Gunter Theater on March 18th, 2011.

The event will engage attendees in moving stories, jaw-dropping performances, and demos of groundbreaking new technologies under the event's new theme for 2011: "Inspiring Our Future." Patterned after the hugely popular global TED conference (www.ted.com), TEDxGreenville began with a sell-out event at CU-ICAR in March 2010 that quickly ignited Greenville's leading thinkers and doers from all backgrounds.

"The interactive experience, highlighted by short 5-to-18-minute presentations and performances, provides a perfect medium to stimulate ideas and ignite conversations about making the world- and our community- better," stated Brenda Laakso, one of the event's volunteer organizers and vice president of NEXT, the organization licensed by TED to host the event. "The atmosphere is inspirational, fun, and thought-provoking, and we want to ensure that a wide range of people from our community participate in TEDxGreenville 2011 at every level."  

"Call for Nominations" for Speakers and Entertainers Begins October 10th

At the heart of TEDxGreenville are the event's speakers and entertainers: a diverse group that includes business innovators, community activists, scientists, academics, performers and other dynamic individuals. Starting October 10th, nominations for speakers and entertainers for the TEDxGreenville 2011 event can be submitted by the public to www.tedxgreenville.com/nominations.

"We're looking for inspirational, energetic and fascinating people who want to help create the Greenville of the future," stated Marc Bolick, who leads the program selection team. "If you or someone you know has a story that moves people to positive action, an idea that inspires, a point-of-view that challenges or a performance that absolutely dazzles, we want to hear from you."

Individuals may nominate another person to be a presenter or entertainer, as well as "self-nominating" to be a part of the program. In preparation for the March 2011 event, TEDxGreenville will provide coaching and support for the presenters that are selected.

Tickets for TEDxGreenville 2011 are expected to go on sale in early 2011 and will be available online at www.tedxgreenville.com or through the Peace Center box office. Conference organizers will also continue hosting smaller quarterly TEDxGreenville "Salons" in various locations around Greenville to help keep the community engaged and continue to raise awareness about TEDxGreenville and the TED movement in general. Sponsorship opportunities for TEDxGreenville 2011 are also available.

SOURCE TEDxGreenville