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Thoughts on TEDxPotomac? Tell Us!

It’s been more than three weeks since the inaugural TEDxPotomac brought together an energized crowd in-person and online, trended on Twitter in DC, and featured some of the DC area’s most dynamic speakers.

And now that you’ve had plenty of time to digest your experience, we want you to tell us about it!

Please take some time to complete the form below; your honest, constructive feedback is absolutely crucial to us as we start considering how TEDxPotomac 2011 will be shaped.

NOTE that this is an official TED feedback form for TEDx events; if you’d like to email us directly with your feedback about TEDxPotomac, please feel free to do so at info@tedxpotomac.com.

If you are interested in being a volunteer next year or helping the planning committees with anything from securing stellar speakers and sponsors to designing the website, follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. These are the vehicles we’ll be using to announce when active planning for TEDxPotomac has begun — likely later this summer or early fall.

Finally, we’re accepting sponsors NOW for next year and are thrilled to already have offers; if you would like to sponsor TEDxPotomac 2011, email sponsors@tedxpotomac.com (and thank you)!

Videos Coming Soon!

We’ve been going through all of the TEDxPotomac presentations and re-living them through video while editing and cutting them for the website. As we go along in that process, we’re then planning to make 1-2 videos of presentations available to you each week.

We are hoping to release at least one presentation later this week, so we’ll keep you posted here and on Twitter to be sure that you know where to catch the archival footage of your favorite talks from TEDxPotomac.

Stay tuned for more very soon!

A Portable Ice Rink? Really?

How many of you used Craigslist this weekend? Now how many of you used it to find a portable ice rink?

Really.

From our talented hosts Chris Keener and Melissa Krodman comes this little gem on Craigslist featuring Craig Newmark himself. Hope you caught his talk last Thursday, and, if not, stay tuned for archival videos of TEDxPotomac coming soon!

P.S. Just in case the hosts’ sarcasm didn’t come across, Chris and Melissa were actively recruited by TEDxPotomac and did NOT, in fact, get the gig through Craigslist!

TEDxPotomac 2010 Roundup (Updated)

Thanks again for sharing the day with us and helping to keep the inspiration alive through your ongoing support. Our wonderful speakers and performers, sponsors, volunteers and vendors, and active attendees (in-person and online) made the day one we’ll never forget!

We’ve been completely overwhelmed with conversations about the event that include words like “inspiring,” “creative,” “energizing,” “fun,” and “awesome.”

We genuinely hope TEDxPotomac ignited something passionate, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and/or invigorating in all of you — and that the energy of TEDxPotomac will be sustained for a long time to come.

To keep that energy going now that the event is complete, we’ll be aggregating blog posts and tweets and pictures and just about anything else we can from your experiences at TEDxPotomac 2010. So keep ‘em coming!

Images on Flickr that are tagged with TEDxPotomac:

Blog posts you’ve shared so far:

• Great write-up by ReadySetDC!
• Recap blog post by Politics Under 30!
• Article by GWU on hosting the event
• Article by APCO Worldwide, which held a simulcasting party!
• think_tank: Awesome and inspiring speech on entrepreneurship by @cakelovewarren at #tedxpotomac – posted on the blog at http://bit.ly/9eSLB6
• Jillfoster: Pictures of the day’s speakers
• Curious_Sue (@Curious_Sue) – “Trust is the new black” and more highlights from TEDxPotomac freshly posted on my blog. http://ow.ly/1OY6E
• Drumming at TEDxPotomac c/o @SMTHNGBEAUTIFUL
• QR Arts preview of the QR Codes used at TEDxPotomac
• Basic transcript of Neil Takemoto and Yoko K’s Presentation on crowdsourced placemaking from CoolTown Studios
• “Yoko K fuses music and social change at TEDxPotomac” from Katina Rae Stapleton

Some links from Twitter:

• NCOC: New in our website discussion series on trust: Is 2010 the new 1517? (Inspired by @craignewmark at #TEDxPotomac) http://bit.ly/biYbt0
• mpcrider: Warren Brown of CakeLove at #TEDxPotomac http://twitgoo.com/wjpmb
• chrisrotella: “Nothing is Fat Free” @cakelovewarren says at #TEDxPotomac. Talking about taking risks & answering your call! http://tweetphoto.com/23222580
• g_r_e_g: Video: drumming at #tedxpotomac during a break: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcgSWJG4yIQ
• ActsofFaithblog: Drum circle during last break #tedxpotomac http://tweetphoto.com/23225164
• Rakheej: #tedxpotomac 7 y.o. virtuoso Luke Spring tappin’ that stage out! Standing ovation! http://tweetphoto.com/23227465
• mpcrider: 7 yr old prodigy Luke tapping at #TEDxPotomac http://twitgoo.com/wjsqg
• ascetics: Progress in clean water vs cell phones? Why is this a choice? http://bit.ly/9JhPBS http://bit.ly/9KxJ0Q #tedxpotomac
• dominiccampbell: AMAZING tap dancing 7 yr old #tedxpotomac http://tiny12.tv/VA4CA
• chrisrotella: #tedxpotomac attendees get their groove on during the last break with cool tribal drums check out the video http://tiny12.tv/2S4NM
• ihm9to5: Listening to @cakelovewarren @tedxpotomac – he’s sharing the satisfaction of pursing your passion! http://tinyurl.com/279yu2l
• christylezbacon: http://ping.fm/p/ajScL – Yoko K. is doing her thang at #TEDxPotomac Check her out!!!!
• ohappy: Yoko K is the shizzle. http://yfrog.com/eim36vkj. #tedxpotomac
• tedxpotomac: Make sure to tag your Flickr photos with TEDxPotomac – early ones here http://bit.ly/9FsYNj (thanks @ghbrett!)
• Jillfoster: ‘if you create a space that dignifies people, they will respond with dignity.’ -Steve Moore #tedxpotomac www.wdcep.com /via @sim1ontharun
• robinsoncooks: So true! RT @PinkLineProject: #tedxpotomac not just ideas worth spreading but ideas worth doing.
• BAMMedia: RT @Jillfoster: Hader: 90% of people currently living with HIV in DC are 30 or older #tedxpotomac /via @tedxpotomac
• sim1ontharun: RT @ActsofFaithblog @JoshSundquist Your contribution to #tedxpotomac was memorable! <– co-sign
• edruff: Man, can’t get “Looking for a Wireless Signal” outta my head. Great song and can completely relate. Thx @ChristylezBacon, #tedxpotomac
• RebeccaAmes: Had an amazing day at #tedxpotomac! Highlights: 7 year old tap dancing kid, yoko k, and several scientists. Plus one animated athlete.
• ACYPL @ptrcksmth: Well done yesterday, #TEDxPotomac was quite a hit
• MattKoll RT @mwh: Enjoyed #tedxpotomac yesterday. Talks by Colin Beavan aka @noimpactman & Steve Moore were outstanding. Calendar marked for #tedxmidatlantic.
• billannibell RT @PinkLineProject: “We are the proof that love does exist across ethnic divisions.” Yoko K. #tedxpotomac
• npaci RT @PinkLineProject: The difference between 1st and 2nd place: Do one more thing one more time. Josh Sundquist #tedxpotomac
• simplyleapcoach: Thanks for sharing your story @JoshSundquist at #TEDxPotomac. It encourages others, including myself, to laugh and learn from our struggle
• JoshSundquist: #TEDxPotomac gathered mind-blowingly awesome people, both audience and speakers. I so wish I could spend more time with you all! #nostalgia
• MissHealth @chrisgolden: Thx for tweeting from #ynpndc-would love to b there, sounds gr8! Went to #TedxPotomac ystrday & now I’m re-thinking my future!
• yokokami Miracles happened. Thank you. #TEDxPotomac
• robinsoncooks cnewmark http://shar.es/mYgCG More info from yesterday’s speaker @craignewmark #tedxpotomac.
• elegiaccycle #tedxpotomac: more musing: passion and inspiration are not just from awareness, but from participation & ownership w/ kindred spirits
• elegiaccycle random keywords at #tedxpotomac yesterday: passion, creativity, collaborate, identity, community, OUTSOURCE, accountability, courage,inspire
• creativespin @JoshSundquist ’s talk + lunchtime convo w/ 2 interesting women sparked an idea for my TEDtalk 2-5 years from now #tedxpotomac #inspiration
• nartech @craignewmark From his #tedxpotomac talk yesterday, in #socialmedia is 2010 the new 1517?…http://bit.ly/9r8ZM5
• kacypaide: TED speaker wannabee? I’m dreaming up a Toastmasters-esque group where we coach each other on our TED talks. Interested? DM me. #TedxPotomac
• edruff: Ideas worth spreading, people worth following. Speakers from #tedxpotomac: @craignewmark, @JoshSundquist, @cakelovewarren, @eolpm #FF

That’s a Wrap!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for today’s ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR inaugural TEDxPotomac event. The venue was perfect, the audience(s) engaged, LiveStream uninterrupted, Twitter stream active and trending in DC, the presenters passionate, the sponsors smiling, and the after-party kicking.

Your participation made it possible, and we can’t wait to see your ongoing blog post recaps, Flickr shots (tagged TEDxPotomac), and feedback in general on Facebook or otherwise.

We’ll be sending out survey(s) soon to all attendees to get your thoughts on how future events can be strengthened, but we certainly hope you walked away from today feeling inspired.

We did.

Stay tuned for more, but for now… that’s a wrap!

Making the Most of May 20th

We’re looking forward to you joining us tomorrow in-person at the Dorothy Marvin Betts Theatre, or watching our livestream from the comfort of your living room, or organizing a simulcast viewing party with friends, colleagues, neighbors, or strangers.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE SO YOU DON’T MISS ANYTHING!

Here are some tips if you’re coming to the one-day event on Thursday, May 20:

• Registration opens at 8 AM and is likely to be crowded since we’ll have about 400 people attending the event; you might want to arrive early to take advantage of being among the first to get some food (light breakfast and coffee provided) and generally scope out the venue to decide where you’ll want to sit throughout the sessions.
• We’ll be giving everyone t-shirts, but you might want to bring a bag to carry around the shirt and/or other grab-bag style items you’ll get throughout the day — including business cards.
• The “T” in TED stands for Technology, but as these things go, we want to be respectful of the speakers and the other attendees who are there to listen, learn, and inspire (or be inspired). Ringers need to be off, and no technology should interrupt the TEDxPotomac experience throughout the day.
• The sessions are shorter in length than what you might experience at other conferences; plus, we’ll be having features populating the day throughout speakers, and we’ll be having cool away-from-the-stage interactive sessions like a drum circle and yoga, which you’re encouraged to join.
• Lunch will be provided, and you’ll be encouraged to find some people you don’t know and get to know them. Yes, it’s scary, but you can handle it. We believe if you!
• One of our awesome sponsors, ThreeSpot, will be bringing a photo booth where you can get paired up with someone and take some sweet photos.

Everything is scheduled to wrap by 5:15 PM with lead organizer Patrick Smith’s closing remarks, so it’s ONE DAY OF FUN and we’re just thrilled you’ll be able to experience it with us!!

Love Cake? (We Do!)

We’re proud to present another promo video — like last week’s of 7-year-old tap dancing sensation Luke Spring — from our superb emcees, Chris Keener and Melissa Krodman. Today’s topic? CUPCAKES (and, specifically, the great Warren Brown)!

What’s cake love mean to you?

Meet Our Emcees: Chris Keener and Melissa Krodman!

We couldn’t be happier to welcome Chris Keener and Melissa Krodman as hosts of TEDxPotomac! Both performers are cool as cucumbers in front of crowds, and we know everyone will be entertained and enlightened by these experienced emcees who’ll keep the momentum moving throughout the day.

Check out a recent video they made helping to introduce 7-year-old tap-dancing phenom (and TEDxP special guest) Luke Spring.

Chris Keener

Chris Keener is a DC-based media producer, actor, and host who has trotted the globe for the likes of the Travel Channel and National Geographic. Recently, he produced, co-hosted, and edited an 11-part web series for the National Geographic International Channel on the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain.

He’s currently working alongside the DC Arts Commission on video collaborations with some of the city’s most promising artists, and cavorting with Melissa Krodman on several projects for screen and stage.

Melissa Krodman

Melissa Krodman is a DC-based producer, writer, and performer. As staff producer for Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, she’s responsible for the production of educational media for audiences in the developing world.

Melissa is also a writer and performing artist, currently working with banished? productions, Happenstance Theatre, choreographer Kelly Bond, and her debonair co-instigator, Mr. Chris Keener. She is honored, inspired, and grateful to be a part of TEDxPotomac.

Introducing Special Guest: 7-Year-Old Luke Spring!

Throughout the day next Thurs (it’s coming up!), we’re presenting several short features in addition to our announced speakers.

One of our special guests is tap dancing phenom Luke Spring, who’s lighting up stages at 7 years old. Recently, he was featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show!

Our hosts, Chris Keener and Melissa Krodman – inimitable themselves – ran into him last week in front of the Portrait Gallery.

Fortunately, there was a video camera that caught it all:

Registration is Closed

Thanks to the overwhelming demand for TEDxPotomac, we sold out almost immediately and have been blown away by the support for this type of event in the greater Washington, DC, area.

To help you experience TEDxPotomac on May 20, we’ll be live streaming the event all day through the homepage of this website. Plus, we’ve put together a simulcasting kit to help you organize a viewing party with friends, colleagues, and/or perfect strangers.

Be sure to follow TEDxPotomac on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook so that you’re among the first to be notified of next year’s plans.