TEDx Newport Taps 13 Locals To Present At Inaugural Event

TEDxNewport has announced the speaker line-up and details for its event on Saturday, November 5th at the historic Jane Pickens Theater, 49 Touro St., from 9 a.m. – 4p.m EST.

The independently organized event, licensed by TED, will feature 13 local voices as well as TED Talk videos under the theme “Tides of Change”. The presentations will explore changes, patterns, and forward-thinking ideas that are present in Newport.

“Newport has always received attention for its storied history, it’s lively guests, its unrivaled sunsets and its natural beauty. However, it’s also a place of great innovation, spirited entrepreneurship, and ceaseless creativity,” said Alyssa Bottone, TEDxNewport Licensee and Organizer. “We want to highlight the brilliant ideas of our friends and neighbors, encourage conversation and debate, promote further discovery, and share our distinctive identity with the world”.

Launched in 2009, TEDx is 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.

“More than 60 people applied or were nominated to speak at the first TEDxNewport and it’s been a refreshing challenge to select speakers amongst such a diverse group of contenders. Proposals covered a diverse range of topics including transportation, environmental protection, hospitality, health and wellness, artistic expression, and social and civil equality,” said Bottone.

In alphabetical order, those invited to speak at TEDxNewport 2016 are;

1. Sam Birger
2. Jim Egan
3. Steve Heath
4. Kelly Kittel
5. Valerie Larkin
6. Kate & Amanda Leese
7. Dave McLaughlin
8. Jim Mullowney
9. Rupert Nesbitt
10. Sean O’Callaghan
11. Christopher Reeves
12. Steve Sabo
13. Onne van der Wal

“Our subsidiary license from TED states that our live audience cannot not exceed 100 people during our first event. As a result, the event will be invitation only. However, community live-streaming options will be available; please email tedxnpt@gmail.com if you’re interested in hosting a viewing gathering at a non-commercial venue. We’re happy to help extend the reach of this event however we can,” said Bottone.

The TEDxNewport team will be streaming the event to at least one centrally located venue. Information about how to connect to the livestream will be available at www.tedxnewport.com.

Necessary information on how to tune into the webcast, as well as details on the livestream venues are expected to be available on the website by October 14th.