TEDxConcordia wants you — to share 'ideas worth spreading'!
Some of the speakers from last spring's TEDxConcordia event. Clockwise from top left: David Côté, Dax Dasilva, Jenviev Azzolin, James Poudrier, Rym Benchaar, Bachir Halimi. | Image courtesy of TEDxConcordia
Alan Mathieu is the executive director of TEDx Concordia.
What is TED? What is TEDx?
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to "ideas worth spreading." Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives.
The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available for free on the organization's website.
TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK.
TEDx = independently organized events
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 and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event.
What is TEDxConcordia?
TEDxConcordia is a powerful Montreal conference hosted by Concordia University, bringing together fascinating and unforgettable speakers.
It is organized by volunteers who passionately believe in social change. TEDxConcordia strives to quench the thirst for non-academic learning within Concordia and the Montreal community. Our team aims to spark genuine curiosity and initiate a love for learning in its most fundamental way. The reaction has been loud and clear, TEDxConcordia is eagerly welcomed.
Spread ideas
You’ll contribute to our mission by organizing a memorable live speaker conference and by sharing our talks with close to five million TEDx fans.
Network with professionals
Make valuable connections as you engage in business meetings and meet with professionals from a variety of different backgrounds.
Enrich your university experience
Your post-secondary education will be more purposeful as you and your teammates spend months working together to create an unforgettable TED-like experience where big ideas come to life.
Make new friends
You’re bound to create new friendships amidst the countless meetings, cups of coffee, brainstorming sessions and impromptu rehearsals. You’ll be bonding with students from all faculties!
Gain valuable experience
As a member of a non-profit organization, you’ll learn business skills that will help prepare you for your post-grad work environment.
Contribute to your community in a big way
You’ll take part in inspiring big ideas, sparking thought-provoking discussions and sharing indispensable knowledge to not only the Concordia and Montreal community, but to the whole world.
Here are our top three tips for those interested in joining the TEDxConcordia team:
• It all starts from within. Be passionate, be positive, be resourceful. Think big.
• Commit yourself to excellence and engage on the journey of becoming the strongest version of yourself.
• It’s all about sharing. Get ready to take action. Work is the only thing that works.
Watch videos from two previous TEDxConcordia speakers:
Find out more about TEDxConcordia, or apply.
