On Thursday April 3, 2014 a diverse group of 100 delegates will get the chance to join together at the Harquail Theatre for a TED-like experience to engage, connect, and be stimulated by the sharing of ideas that extend far beyond the presentations of speakers and entertainers from Cayman and overseas under the theme ‘Connecting to Possibility’.

Licensee and organiser Marzeta Bodden said she is delighted to bring event to the Cayman Islands and gave some background to the event.

“In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a programme of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organised events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organised TED event” she explained.

TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California almost 30 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx programme, but individual TEDx events are self-organised and licensed by TED.

Ms Bodden said she has high aims for the event: “TEDxSevenMileBeach is a multi-sensory experience that will engage the people of the Cayman Islands in a way that has never been done before,” she confirmed. “As talks, interactions, and connections occur, attendees and participants will be encouraged to initiate vision, innovate their own paths, and inspire a better world for our collective future. The presenters will share their experience, insights, and ideas with the audience and together, everyone will explore what it means when we all tap into the power of Connecting to Possibility.”

Throughout the one-day event, international and local speakers, from a varied set of backgrounds and experiences, have been selected through an application process and are scheduled to participate: Taylor Burrowes, mental health professional at The Wellness Centre; Javier Sanchez, CEO of R.E.A.C.H. Communications; Lady Rabia Abdul Hakim, children’s author, cartoonist, performer and master storyteller; and Marni Evans, green building and sustainability educator for professionals in the design and construction industry. More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

A unique feature of the event is the opportunity for unheard voices to join the discussion. TEDxSevenMileBeach is reserving two spaces for local speakers to present their own idea worth spreading. Ms Bodden describes her decision to reserve two spaces for public-curated talent:

“I am a strong believer in the power of connection through several platforms, a key one being conversation,” Ms Bodden said. “TEDxSevenMileBeach is a deep immersion experience that will engage the people of the Cayman Islands in a way that has never been done before. I hope that allowing for two local Wild Card speakers will spark more ideas and conversations, from an even more varied audience.”

She encourages prospective TEDx attendees to complete application forms so that organisers may gain a better understanding of the community interested in supporting the ideas presented by speakers. TEDxSevenMileBeach conference seeks an audience of engaged, enthusiastic, and diverse attendees who are committed to attending the event and are eager to share knowledge beyond the conference itself. The application process for delegates will be opening soon, and you can visit TEDxSevenMileBeach.com for more information.

TEDxSevenMileBeach, like all TEDx events, is a non-profit event. Companies who believe in bringing together corporations and individuals who want to be change agents surrounding remarkable thinking and ideas are encouraged to invest in the local community to support TEDxSevenMileBeach. Various sponsorship opportunities available. Several local companies have recognised the value of participation and form the event’s current line-up of sponsors: Tower, Friends of Film, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Cayman 27, Regal Theatres and Melissa Wolfe Photography.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

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. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California almost 30 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes on a diverse mix of topics. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The TED2014 Conference will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, along with the TEDActive simulcast in neighbouring Whistler. TEDGlobal 2014 will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; and TEDBooks, short e-books on powerful ideas. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world get help translating their wishes into action; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self-organised TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows programme, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED

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

Cayman 27  – 24 February 2014

Compass – 25 February 2014

Cayman Reporter – 28 February 2014

Cayman News Service – 2 March 2014

Radio Cayman – 28 February 2014