TEDxSantaCruz Needs Speakers and Nominations

-Contributed by Kirsti Scott

Following the sell-out success of the first TEDxSantaCruz conference in June 2011, organizers have announced the 2012 theme, "Open," and are seeking speaker nominations by June 30, 2012.

The daylong TEDxSantaCruz 2012 event will feature two sessions of talks, a picnic lunch, and a reception after the event where audience members can meet and mingle with speakers and other attendees.

The “Open” theme was selected to frame what organizers describe as a carefully curated range of talks. Speakers whose experiences, projects, work, or creativity speak of openness, beginnings, transparency, radical availability, and open-source initiatives are asked to visit http://tedxsantacruz.org to apply to speak at this event. 

"We are seeking storytellers and visionaries who can open the connection between head and heart among TEDxSantaCruz attendees and incite actions that lead to more openness in the world. We're seeking applications from anyone who wants to engage our audience with new ideas and perspectives," said David Warren, organizer of TEDxSantaCruz. 

TED conferences are internationally renowned. In recent years, the organization has grown to include TEDx events, which are local, self-organized events around the world. The TED organization provides guidance for TEDx programs, but individual TEDx events — like the upcoming event in Santa Cruz — are independently organized. 

Further information and an application form are available online at http://tedxsantacruz.org. Those interested can apply themselves or nominate others for the event. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2012. 

For information about TED's upcoming conferences, visit http://www.ted.com/registration.