Thursday, January 15, 2009

TED Conference is definitely coming to India


This November. In Mysore.

So we learn from Sidin Vadukut's report in Mint -- the TED site doesn't have any info on its Mysore edition yet. We neither know the dates, nor the conference fees which, for the US versions, can go upto $6000!

Here's what the TED website says about speaking at one of its conferences:

This isn't a typical conference. The TED audience has exceedingly high expectations of the speakers; we will work with you well in advance of the conference to help you shape a presentation that will succeed on the TED stage. Rules for TED speakers include a ban on "selling from the stage" (no plugging your company or organization), and a strict enforcement of the clock.

TED presentations last just 18 minutes. We've found that a carefully prepared presentation of this length can have astonishing impact. This format also allows us to fit in more than 50 speakers/performers over 4 days. Everyone hears every presentation; there are no breakout sessions. Thanks to the intimate feel of the venue and the energy and attention of the audience, many speakers conclude that their TED appearance was the most exhilarating and valuable public speaking experience of their lives.

I really like this: "[W]e will work with you well in advance of the conference to help you shape a presentation that will succeed on the TED stage"!

If you know someone who really ought to be speaking there, go ahead and nominate her/him.

Ms. Aruna Roy of MKSS is my nominee. Who's yours?

2 Comments:

  1. Hari S Goripati said...

    This is great news. I have been following this www.ted.com for quite sime time now. The talks are really good. LEt's see how good it turns out in India!

  2. Chipo said...

    We, at TED, are super excited about going to India in November as well.

    Thanks for posting about this opportunity. Like every other TED, expect TEDIndia to really challenge your perceptions and present you with some truly groundbreaking work that has been brewing in South Asia. You will learn about what has made this region so vibrant and what the future holds!

    Besides being one of the more affordable TED conferences (to accommodate our hosts in the developing world), our Fellows program is seeking 100 innovative people from all corners of the world. Among other things, Fellows get to attend a specially formulated pre-conference, an all-expenses paid pass to TEDIndia, transportation to/from the conference site in India, + room/board for the duration.

    Apply soon. TEDIndia Fellows applications close June 15th. All the information is available at www.ted.com/fellows.

    Watch past TED Fellows share the experiences - http://www.ted.com/pages/view/id/304
    OR
    http://www.apnatube.com/members/action/viewvideo/9688/

    We look forward to hearing from you!
    fellows AT ted DOT com